Unearthing the Untold Stories of the South Asian Diaspora in Harlem

Immigrantly

In this episode, I sit down with Vivek Bald, a filmmaker, writer, and scholar dedicated to uncovering the hidden histories of the South Asian diaspora. For the past twenty-five years, Vivek has explored the migration patterns and cultural impact of South Asians in the US and Britain through his documentaries, books, and academic work at MIT’s Comparative Media Studies Department. His latest documentary, “In Search of Bengali Harlem,” with actor and playwright Alaudin Ullah, which premiered in early March, reveals the forgotten history of Bengali migrants who settled in Harlem during the 1920s, integrating into Black and Hispanic communities.

Key Takeaways

1. History of South Asian Migration:

• Overview of South Asian migration to the United States.
• Experiences of early South Asian immigrants.
• Impact of immigration laws on the South Asian community.

1. Personal and Family Experiences:

• Vivek Bald's upbringing and influences.
• His mother’s activism and its impact on his perspectives.
• Development of his interest in documentary filmmaking.

1. In Search of Bengali Harlem:

• The undocumented migration of Bengali Muslim men to the US in the early 20th century.
• Intermarriages with African American and Puerto Rican women.
• Challenges faced by these communities.
• Personal stories and the research process behind the documentary.

1. The intersection of Race, Class, and Identity:

• How these elements have shaped the experiences of South Asian immigrants.
• The cultural influence of South Asians in cities like New York.
• Political undertones in the narratives of South Asian migration.

Additional Links:

To learn more about In Search of Bengali Harlem, http://bengaliharlem.com

The film is available to stream on PBS as part of the documentary series America ReFramed:

On PBS/WORLD’s YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os-PxQ2q3Ig

Using the PBS App on your TV or Mobile Device:

https://www.pbs.org/pbs–app/

At America ReFramed:

https://worldchannel.org/episode/america-reframed-in-search-of-bengali-harlem/

http://bengaliharlem.com/watch

Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.

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Host & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan & Adiba Hussain I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound

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