Indophile?

There’s a fine line between defining a feeling of ‘belonging’ to a country and enjoying its culture and heritage without being a citizen

BY TIM BLIGHT

As a traveller, nothing quite compares to India. She radiates, fascinates, bewilders, exhilarates and horrifies. That is how I felt before I went to India for the first time. And yet, I can’t exactly pinpoint why I felt that way – perhaps it was due to the romanticised, orientalist-inspired images and stories in the media. Then again, I had always been fairly cynical of the ‘manufactured’ tourist image of different countries. I have had close friends of Indian heritage for as long as I can remember, although I’m not sure whether my friendships shaped my interest, or the other way around. I was probably always destined to fall in love with an Indian, but the term ‘Indophile’ doesn’t sit with me too well. ‘Indophile’ implies a love of India and its people, although for me it’s not so much a love as a state of being. I once read that India, rather than resisting outsiders, takes visitors and weaves them into its tapestry of history and culture, and for me, this makes much more sense. India isn’t a love of mine; it’s where I feel comfortable spiritually, culturally, socially and politically. Not ‘Indophile’, but ‘Indian’.

Of course, to call myself Indian is simply untrue. Having grown up in Australia, I can’t claim to have experienced life as an Indian. My Hindi isn’t that great, and I have only visited the subcontinent a handful of times. But then I think of the millions of Australians of Indian heritage, some of whom have never visited the motherland, but who (‘ABCD’ jokes notwithstanding) know India. I think of the rich puzzle of language that presents itself in the Tamil-speaking south, the Assamese-speaking east and the Kashmirispeaking north. And I think of the diaspora of NRIs who still feel as close to India as they did the day they left it – and in many cases, even closer now. Perhaps to be an Indian citizen, you must pass certain tests, but to feel and to be ‘Indian’ is to join the network of people around the world who identify with Bharat

I’m sure there will be some cynics who read this and write it off as superficial – “He’s just tasted his first butter chicken and now he loves the place!” The trials of many Indians who have emigrated to Australia must not be forgotten. The struggles and sometimes despair of so many Indians who have never left India are unimaginable to me. This, I accept, I may never truly understand. What I do understand however is acceptance, joy and love. A few people find these intangibles in other countries, many in their home countries, and some people, never. I feel lucky to have found these in India.

And by India, I don’t just mean the Republic of India. For better or for worse, the name ‘India’ has come to represent the entirety of the subcontinent not just for myself, but for many. This is not the stuff of colonial hangovers, this is a recognition of the shared cultural heritage of at least seven present day nations in South Asia. My first visit to ‘India’ was not in India at all; it was when I stepped off my flight in Karachi, Pakistan on a trip to visit some old friends. Arriving in Karachi was a shock; no matter how much I tried to gird myself, nothing could prepare me for the riot of senses which confronted me. Noise, people everywhere, heat, animals, food, security forces, more people, cars, wealth, poverty, and even more people. In my first few days in Karachi, I learnt to dance to the subcontinent’s rapturous cacophony. Clichéd, I admit, but true, and there is simply no other way to put it!

I can hear a couple of Indians and Pakistanis reading this bristling with resentment, so please allow me to explain. While I loved my time in Pakistan, I still felt as if I was searching for India. It was years later, when I visited India for the first time that I realized that Karachi in fact, had been my primer for the subcontinent. History is testament to the differences between India and Pakistan, however having visited both nations, I strongly feel that their similarities far outweigh their differences. Today’s Republic of India is an excellent example of various cultures and agendas working in relative harmony – problems still exist, but India soldiers on when other countries would have dissolved into conflict. Strength can thus be found in unity – we just need the politicians (on both sides) to see this.

One aspect of ‘Indophile’ to which I can attest is my undying interest in the politics, diplomacy and society on the subcontinent. I have studied South Asian history, I’ve worked teaching English to desis, and I feel humbled to have had the opportunity to visit India. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met the most amazing people to call my friends and family. As a writer, but moreover out of interest, I keep up to date with the latest events and social trends for South Asians in Australia. As a journalist, I not only speak to India and Indians, but I listen, as I have a lot to express, but so much more to learn.

So I keep studying Hindi, enjoying Indian television, music and movies, I continue learning new dishes to cook, and I carry on promoting awareness of Indian and South Asian culture in Australia as I feel strongly about these things. I plan to return to the subcontinent in 2011 visiting India and the Maldives, a journey I started planning on the plane back from Delhi last time around! Every day, India is in my life, and it has given me so much peace, passion, inspiration, knowledge and happiness. India and her sisters have a huge heart. My main hope is that I can maintain the subcontinent’s effortless hospitality which has made me feel so welcome. Indophile? Maybe. Indian? Depends. Part of India’s story? Proudly. The story continues…

I once read that India, rather than resisting outsiders, takes visitors and weaves them into its tapestry of history and culture, and for me, this makes much more sense

History is testament to the differences between India and Pakistan, however having visited both nations, I strongly feel that their similarities far outweigh their differences.

Poem

Harry Potter, the series

Harry Potter 1, Was loads of fun. Had a nice long run, And was very well done!

Harry Potter 2, Got a great review.

Too long was the queue But all made it through!

Harry Potter 3, It was great, said she (my sister, who likes tea). It was fabulous, said me!

Harry Potter 4, I truly did adore It was great for sure, And I really wanted more!

Harry Potter 5, Pleasure did derive Characters came alive, And the series was in thrive!

Harry Potter 6, Got plenty of ticks. Clever magic tricks, Made it best of the flicks!

Harry Potter 7, I’m in heaven!

I’m seeing it with Bevan, My sister’s going with Helen! Manan