The Namesake Clash of Culture

The thing about The Namesake is not that it is a great movie (although or so avid movie-goers will be satisfied), tho that it treats universal themes with such lucidness that anyone who has been through the experience of leaving ones land should be able to relate, even if not from India. Directed by Mira Nair and with Kal Penn leading a great cast, the movie hails the lives of an Indian couple coming to New York in the 70s and raising children in this place setting.I have a number of friends that are imprimatur generation to Indian immigrants for which reason I believe my understanding of their husbandry is above average, but even if that was not the case Im sure these themes would not be lost on me Abandoning the comfort of family behavior in the quest for better opportunities Struggling to make a supporting without help, in a culture where all values are diametrical All the sacrifices that parents make for the sake of their children.Ive always said that migration is cruel to our ancestors but selfless to our children. The agony of loosing loved ones being far away and the uniform fight with the irrational thought that it could be avoided. The temptation of multiracial relationships The inter-group communication of the father/son dialog when the entire future of their lineage depends on them The cultural pride that one feels even after leaving the body politic behind, assuming all great achievements from our people as our own.In many ocassions this solely happens once we leave our countries. The quiet professional triumph that occurs almost in the background to all the other events in our lives. The crude attempt to follow tradition even if this means to butcher them once in a while The cultural mix that is driven by well sufficient second generation kids and their loose interpretation of their heritage in the context of their daily lives. Go see it or continue reading the jaw at one of the Indian blogs I follow.