MEET THE documentarian
Hi, I'm Vivek!
As the son of immigrants from India, I grew up with more questions than answers about my family history. I went on a lifelong journey to discover my roots. I majored in South Asian history at Wesleyan, spent a year learning Hindi in Varanasi, and worked in local NGOs as well as global software firms in in both North and South India. Over more than 15 trips, I've criss-crossed the sub-continent by plane, train, and automobile getting to know the many diverse cultures of South Asia.
I was inspired to start South Asian Family Lore to help my friends record their aging first-generation parents as an act of love. Friends would say things like:
"There are so many stories my mom and dad have told that I want to share with my kids, but me and my brother just haven't had time to collect them..."
"There are a lot of hard questions I want to ask, but I don't think my parents will open up to me...maybe they'll talk to you?"
"Once they're gone, it's gone. I want to make sure we get them talking now, before it's too late, about where we come from. There's so much more I want to know, and I want my kids to know too..."
My team and I create a safe space for first-generation South Asians of the diaspora to tell their life story. It is my honor to create family video heirlooms for you!
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