Shamita Gurusu: The journey of life

In today’s rapidly-progressing society, it is often easy to get lost within our own individual journeys of life. It is important that we take a moment every now and then to rejoice in the happy memories of the past and acknowledge how far each of us has come as individuals. This playlist contains a few of the many songs that have been there for me during the significant parts of my life journey.

“NRI” by Raja Kumari:

As a second-generation Indian-American, I often feel like I do not have a clear cultural identity and am unable to comfortably preserve both Indian or Western traditions. I never feel Indian or American enough to be able to identify with either culture, thus making me belong to both communities on paper but neither in reality. This song is the perfect embodiment of the disconnect that I, as an Indian-American woman, feel on a day-to-day basis. The artist, Raja Kumari, a second-generation Indian-American herself, crafted the lyrics and Indian subtones of her song to illustrate the difficulties of trying to be accepted by both Western and Indian culture.  Whenever I listen to this song, my journey of trying to find my own cultural identity feels acknowledged.

“Beat it” by Michael Jackson:

This song is just a classic that has, over the years, grown to become my “family song.” My dad, a huge Michael Jackson fan, would play this song whenever anyone in the family was feeling down to help us feel better through its carefree and invincible spirit. My dad would specifically sing the lyrics: “It doesn’t matter who’s wrong or right, just beat it” whenever my sister and I fought and still does to this day. When I am far from home, I often play this song to embody its spirit to remind myself of my optimistic dad and many childhood memories.

“Evita” by DeVita:

Another recent addition to my playlist, this song has become the one that helps me take a breather and chill. Whenever I am stressed or unnerved, the smooth jazz and singing throughout this song never fail to soothe my mind. It is, by far, my most-played song of 2020 and favorite song that I listen to in the shower. Its carefree vibe makes this song so easy to love.

Thanks for listening! Remember to take a moment every now and then in your own journey of life to appreciate the memories of the past.