A Cappella Through the Eyes of a High Schooler: An Intern's Perspective

Music has been an integral part of my life for as long as I can remember. In my culture, it's almost a given. My grandmother, with her Master's Degree in Rabindra Sangeet, introduced me to the genre at a young age as well as my mother. Growing up, our place was always filled with the soulful melodies of Tagore's compositions, each song a story in itself. Now on longer drives from school with my father, the same genre plays in the car.

As I grew older, my musical interests expanded. While Rabindra Sangeet remained close to my heart, I began exploring other genres. I learned Hindi and delved into Bollywood music, finding a new world of expression. My journey also led me to traditional Hindustani classical music, where I learned to appreciate the intricacies of ragas and taals. Now, as a high schooler, my passion for music continues to evolve. I play the flute and occasionally the oboe in my school's band program, and sometimes perform outside of school as well. It's a way for me to connect with different musical traditions and express myself where I go to school, in the Seattle area.

But I vividly remember the day that changed my musical trajectory. It was late 2021 - grade 6 -, and I had to complete an alternate assignment for my band class due to an absence. The prompt was simple yet profound: "How did you get here?" While I initially thought about writing about Bengali culture, I decided to explore something new to challenge myself.

My search led me to YouTube, where I typed "EnglishxDesi songs" into the search bar. That's when I stumbled upon UW Awaaz's "Bird Set Free x Duaa" video from Anahat 2021. The seamless blend of Sia's powerful lyrics with the soulful "Duaa" from Bollywood left me spellbound. It was a perfect fusion of my Western and South Asian musical sensibilities. I found myself replaying the video countless times, dissecting each vocal layer and marveling at the intricate arrangements.

This discovery sparked conversations with my family, especially my grandmother. We spent evenings discussing how traditional melodies could be reimagined in this modern format, drawing parallels between the intricate harmonies in Rabindra Sangeet and the layered vocals in contemporary a cappella. These discussions bridged generational gaps, allowing us to connect over our shared love for music in its various forms.

My fascination with UW Awaaz grew as I delved deeper into their repertoire. Their recent performances at competitions like Gathe Raho and A3 showcased their versatility and creativity. Hearing their renditions of "Feeling Good x Megham Karukatha" and "O Bedardeya x A Thousand Years x You are the Reason" left me in awe of their ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles and languages. I still listen to those songs often.

This newfound interest in a cappella led me to research the organizations hosting these competitions. I learned about the Association of South-Asian A Cappella (ASA) and their efforts to promote South Asian culture through music and other art forms. It opened my eyes to a whole community of young people celebrating their heritage while embracing contemporary art forms.

As I reflect on my musical journey, I realize how each experience has shaped my identity as a young South Asian in America. From Rabindra Sangeet to Western classical, from Bollywood to a cappella, each genre has added a unique color to my musical palette. Groups like UW Awaaz inspire me, showing that it's possible to create something truly special by embracing both tradition and innovation.

So, how did I get here? It's been a journey of cultural exploration, family influences, and chance discoveries. Each step has led me to a deeper appreciation of music's power to connect cultures, generations, and individuals. As I look towards my future in music, I'm excited to see where this path will lead, ready to embrace new sounds while honoring the melodies that have shaped me - hopefully, with ASA as well.