An essay by a recipient of the 1999 Felix Dearden award

Notes from the Asian Underground

For all the prejudice and racism that the Asian communities face, there is a new mood of confidence and optimism amongst my generation of twenty-somethings. This vibrancy is best reflected in the thriving arts and music scenes where artists are using their Asian experience to express sentiments to the whole multi-ethnic melting pot that makes up the UK today. It is no longer a case of not fitting into either culture, but projecting a self-assured image on our own terms. Being on the cusp of two seemingly intolerant cultures is not so much the psychological trauma it used to be.

The British Asian music scene gives the strongest indication of a definite attitude and identity among young Asians in Britain today. Bands like the belligerent ADF and Cornershop now crossing into the mainstream. DJ and musician Talvin Singh and his club night "Anokha" in London eloquently captures the synthesis of two cultures: it is a potent fusion of Asian classical music with fierce drum n'bass and quicksilver breakbeats. Nightclubs can be quite daunting, with their dense culture of drugs, but Anokha was one of the most friendly I have been to. Young Asians were wearing traditional dress - Salwars and Punjabi shirts with confidence. It was the first time I had worn full Asian dress to a nightclub and felt truly proud of my heritage: it was incredible. The clash of cultures in me - born in Wales with a western education at school, entwined with a Bengali upbringing at home - was no longer a force pulling me apart. I was glowing and I felt that this is where I belonged. Everyone was prepared to accept, cherish and rejoice in each other's ancestry.

On television the BBC's Goodness Gracious Me made a crucial breakthrough as they have taken a giant stride to filtering into the national consciousness. It's well known that "all good comedy transcends barriers of class and race", but it has taken a long time for an Asian act to make the quantum leap out of the fringe. Along with the task of entertaining an audience of millions they have a huge responsibility that cannot and must not be shirked - they are defining perceptions of Asians living in Britain today. The material is genuine and it strikes a chord with thousands of Asians watching. This is clearly a reflection of the growing confidence of British Asians and their ability to laugh at British idiosyncrasies as well as their own backgrounds. The group is clearly at ease with their cultural identity, so much so that they have put a few noses out of joint because they take a somewhat irreverent look at British Asian life. Let's hope that they are here to stay and they herald a new wave of multi-cultural talent in the mainstream.

For all the progress in race relations and representation, the faceless Establishment has made some minor concessions to paper over huge cracks. There is still a "glass ceiling" stopping members of the ethnic minorities progressing after they have been rapidly promoted. There might be more Black or Asian faces on TV, but are they behind the scenes wielding the power? The following example shows an attempt by the broadcasting industry to promote diversity in the workforce. It highlights some of the problems of "positive discrimination".

I was lucky enough to be awarded one of two Post-graduate Bursaries by ITN for a year's study in Cardiff at the Centre for Journalism Studies. This was open to members of the ethnic communities. Part of the bursary involved paid work placements at ITN headquarters at Gray's Inn Road. The money they awarded me and the placements were invaluable to me and I shall be forever grateful, but my experience at the company was a strange one. It shows a company that has good intentions, but has not grasped the issue fully. This was down to simple lack of communication, not any institutionalised racism. In fact ITN's commitment to race relations is excellent with the heavy investment in one of the most visible black role models in the country - Trevor McDonald - but if future talent is flourish it must be nurtured. We received little guidance or mentoring whilst we were on the scheme: we were left to fend for ourselves. In this atmosphere I thrived, but the other recipient of the bursary did not. People did not know who we were or what the scheme was. We felt awkward in saying that the Bursary was only awarded because the colour of our skin: we did not want to appear to be charity cases. Therein lies the crux of the problem: we wanted desperately to feel that we were there on merit and our own ability, whatever the colour of our skin. I was lucky in that I got everything I could out of the organisation and now work there happily, but the other participant has sunk without a trace. I know that with some gentle nurturing she would have blossomed into one of ITN's bright stars. I wrote a detailed letter pointing out each problem that we faced and possible suggestions to help future participants - I trust they have taken note. Positive discrimination is a thorny issue, but it should be talked about and not swept under bureaucratic carpet. I sincerely hope that one day soon it will not be needed because it is a necessary evil - it's still discrimination whatever way you try and dress it up. ITN have made encouraging progress on this front, other companies should take note and learn from them. I do not want to cause any trouble, just help heal some misunderstandings. It's not all about ticking boxes: I am not a statistic to fill a quota. See me for who I am and not the colour of my skin. I am a person who has feelings, pride and talent.

The obstacles still remain as we approach the end of the century - just in a different form. If equality is to be achieved we must stand up and be proud of what and who we are. Only then will society realise and unfurl the rich tapestry of our heritage. Since my early childhood, where the question of identity was a huge problem, the wheel has come full circle. Artists like Talvin Singh are an inspiration to me. Their confidence and creativity are a testament to those who strive to link the rich, ancient cultures of Mother India with the modernity of living in Britain today.

© Krishnendu K Majumdar