Decolonizing Dialogues: Reflections on South Asia's 76th Anniversary of Independence"

We observed the 76th anniversary of Indian Independence at The Ivy, a beloved spot in Cambridge. This local treasure holds a special significance for us during noteworthy occasions (like our Christmas Eve tradition). We indulged in a diverse array of dishes, albeit none of them Indian. It was a deliberate deviation from my usual Friday night curry routine, a subversive venture into English cuisine this time around. I've intertwined some reflections with the images below.

Interestingly, South Asia marked its 76th year since Pakistan gained independence on the preceding night (on the 14th). I wonder, however, given the profound cultural divide and the subsequent dominance of an elite English-speaking culture, did South Asia genuinely attain independence?

I acknowledge that I'm currently typing this in English, the master's language, and my proficiency in a South Asian language is limited (it was a struggle to regain fluency in my mother tongue, Persian, and I'm still far from reaching the same in Urdu/Hindi).

When I ponder the tapestry of my life and what I consider a very successful partnership with DLV, it's disheartening to witness South Asia torn by fundamental divisions such as caste and religion. India versus Pakistan, Islam versus Hinduism—these stark dichotomies that have defined the post-Independence era prompt me to question whether we have truly achieved independence or if we're merely echoing the master's voice.

Perhaps I contribute to the predicament, yet I do believe there are lessons South Asians can glean from the Iranian discourse on Westoxication. As Desis, we are inherently Westernized by our engagement with the English language. This is likely an irreversible transformation; in the mid 19th-century English supplanted Persian as the lingua franca of the Subcontinent. However, we must also contemplate the concept of Elite Capture.

What does Elite Capture truly entail? It signifies that our elite are mirroring our pre-Independence actions —embracing High Cultural constructs that aren't rooted in our own context, people, or time but are instead imposed upon us. I'm uncertain how to weigh all these complexities, but I intend to explore these thoughts in subsequent posts.

For now, I trust everyone had a wonderful Independence Day Celebration!

Zeek signing out!!