Photo by Joshuva Daniel on Unsplash
Discover how music unites us, celebrates diversity, and keeps traditions alive. Attending a vibrant cultural event with a friend highlighted for me music’s strength and ubiquity in connecting us to our cultural roots. Music provides a vehicle to preserve heritage and celebrate our diverse identities, and music serves as a bridge to cultural heritage and identity.
I’m Mindy Peterson, host of Enhance Life with Music podcast, where we explore the ways music makes our lives better. And this is Microhance, a micro-dose of musical enhancement.
I had such a fun experience this past weekend that was not planned to specifically be a musical experience, but one of the most delightful and inspiring and heart-warming takeaways for me was related to music and its priceless role and omnipresence in culture, cultural heritage, and identity.
India’s Independence Day is celebrated on August 15, and for decades, this anniversary has been celebrated here in the Twin Cities with India Fest, organized by the India Association of Minnesota (IAM).
I attended for the first time this weekend, tagging along with my friend Reshma, who was born in India. I was looking forward to the food, as well as time with my friend, and a new cultural experience, which I always enjoy. And the food did exceed my expectations. I also thoroughly enjoyed browsing the many booths featuring colorful clothing, elaborate jewelry, Ayurvedic products, and cultural and religious organizations. The festival was a vibrant celebration of Indian culture, filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of a country with a rich and diverse heritage.
But what truly stood out to me was how deeply music was woven into the fabric of the event and the expression of this culture’s identity. Yes, music was entertainment at the event. AND it was so much more.
It fueled every performance, from classical Indian dance accompanied by traditional instruments and attire, to more contemporary hits and dances. Drum beats provided an energy and pulse to the parade. There was a palpable surge in the pride and enthusiasm and engagement from the crowd when familiar music began, whether it was the sounds of traditional dance songs or the Indian national anthem, which was sung when the Indian flag was unfurled. Each note and rhythm was a reminder of the deep-rooted traditions that connect people to their heritage, no matter where they are in the world at that moment.
For many, music serves as a bridge between generations, preserving the stories, values, and emotions of their ancestors. Music allows us to celebrate our uniqueness while also finding common ground with others. It keeps cultural traditions alive and thriving. It transcends borders and language barriers and can be shared with others, like me, inviting us to explore and appreciate the richness of cultures other than our own.
In a world that often feels divided, I was reminded of and touched by music’s power to unite us, to help us understand one another, and to celebrate the diversity that makes life so beautiful.
So, whether you’re connecting with your own cultural roots or exploring those of others, remember that music is a key part of the story. It’s a way to keep traditions alive, build bridges between cultures, and enhance life in ways we often overlook.
I’ll include pictures in the show notes of my time with Reshma at India Fest, as well as links to other episodes on the culture-enhancing powers of music (including deep-dives on music’s role in Norwegian, Jewish, African American, and Mexican cultures).
If there’s a special way music allows you to connect with your own cultural roots or explore a different culture, I would love to hear about it.
You can always connect with me on email (mindy@mpetersonmusic.com), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
I’m Mindy Peterson, and I hope this inspires you to enhance your life with music.
Other episodes you may enjoy on the culture-enhancing powers of music:
- Ep. 134: How did music shape the exploration and settling of America’s west? The musical story within the Westward Expansion story; with author Laura Dean
- Ep. 117: Sound of Your Heritage: What role does music play in Norwegian culture & celebrations? With Melissa Holm-Johansen, DMA
- Ep. 81: MIM – A place that showcases music’s unique ability to both preserve diverse cultures AND bring those cultures together; with Katherine Palmer, DMA
- Ep. 41: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a look at how music preserves Mexican heritage and connects cultures, with Eugene Rodriguez
- Ep. 25: Role of Spirituals within African American Culture, with award-winning musician and educator Bruce Henry
- Ep. 17: Vietnam’s Best-Kept Secret is its Bright and Diverse Music Scene (with Sivaraj Pragasm)
- Ep. 7: Sound of Your Heritage: Music’s Role in Jewish Culture & Celebrations (Hazzan Alisa Pomerantz-Boro)
View all Microhance episodes
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