For generations, music has brought my family together and kept us in touch with our history. My grandfather was a classically trained musician in countless traditional Indian instruments, and I have heard many stories about my fathers childhood home being filled with music at all hours of the day. One of my grandfather's favorite instruments was the Tabla, an Indian drum which keeps the rhythmic foundation for many vocal-heavy pieces. Growing up, Indian classical music surrounded my dad even outside of his home. Growing up on a college campus, many of his neighbors were well respected musicians and he would often see important concerts hosted by the school. 

When my Dad moved to the US 1985, soon followed by the rest of his family, music became his main way of reconnecting with his culture. Growing up I remember him listening to it in the car, drumming on the steering wheel like a tabla. He would take us to local concerts, exposing us to our culture and tying us to a rich family history. Music also helped me understand him: seeing him light up as he taught us music theory showed me how his passions shaped his personality, and how he learned to be so driven in the subjects he loves. Now, with virtually my entire extended family living in the US, music allows my family to maintain our cultural heritage and share it with the people who have lived their entire lives in America. 

– Will N

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant