The former President of Bangladeshi Students’ Association (BSA) at University of Toronto, Purna exudes a confidence and conviction in her beliefs that is rare in today’s Canadian youth.

Currently trying out for the Royal Canadian Mounting Police (RCMP), Purna traces her journey from a new immigrant to the confident woman she has become today. Although seventeen when she first stepped onto Canadian soil, she admits to having felt no social or cultural disconnect that is the usual case with new immigrants.

She admits that “there is a fair bit of media exposure [back in Bangladesh]” that prepared her for Canada. But she also admits to feeling a bit too “mature” for her high school peers, as well as discovering the education system to be “easier” than the system in Bangladesh. She chuckles as she remembers doing calculus in grade twelve in Canada, which she had already been introduced to in grade nine in Bangladesh.

Talking of her community, she feels that her community is still not open to issues such as interracial dating or homosexuality. While interracial dating is still tolerable to certain socially conscious liberal minded families like hers, homosexuality is a “hush-hush” issue. According to her, homophobia is “very, very wrong”. She admits to having gay friends who she feels are “sometimes even nicer” than her straight friends. She attributes this quality to the many hardships that homosexual or bisexual individuals usually go through, and which is why “they know not to discriminate or judge”. Purna feels that homophobia is “just a judgmental thing… [as] people are scared of… anything that is different”. She sees South Asians as a “repressive [race]” who “tend to repress… and overlook the history of bisexuality and homosexuality” in the history of South Asians.

When asked about her involvement with the BSA, and the reason behind the group’s formation, she explains, “Our goal is to promote our own culture…which is distinctly different from the rest of South Asia”. Purna elaborates that even though initially there was a discussion on naming the group as Bengali Students Association in an attempt to include Bengalis from other countries, it was not possible as “BSA specifically supports charities that are based in Bangladesh”. “And why is that?” I wonder aloud. “It was not to alienate others deliberately, but because I believe that first we must help ourselves before we help others and at the moment, Bangladesh needs our help”.

Purna also feels that BSA is a necessary platform for Bangladeshi students to build social skills. She laughs and says, “I don’t want to generalize but [Bangladeshis] lack a bit of social skills because we are so ingrained into our studies…Studies [always] come first… We tend to overlook being confident on a social platform… being able to speak publicly… have leadership skills etc. We want to provide [these skills] to our members and our students”.

She also confesses that even though she is a graduate with a Bachelor of Science from University of Toronto and her initial instinct was to fulfill her mother’s dream of becoming a doctor, currently her heart is set on the RCMP.

Perhaps there is something to be said for the word “Aanchal.” Miss Aanchal Sharma was crowned Miss India Canada 2010 by Miss Aanchal Dogra, 2009.

Aanchal Dogra, Miss India 2009 crowns Aachal Sharma, Miss India 2010

With passion for teaching, the second best thing for Miss India Canada 2010 is fashion. Aanchal entered Miss India Canada pageant as many of her friends had participated in the competition in previous years, and have had “amazing experience.”

“For this pageant there’s no height and weight requirement,” Aanchal tells us excitedly.

Organizers of Miss India Canada 2010 pageant Sanjay Agnihotri with Guarav, the guest of Honour Sunil Shetty and Miss India Canada

Pageants are traditionally associated with themes of sexuality, however “this is an Indian pageant..it’s very conservative with our values and cultures,” Aanchal tells us. She adds “there wasn’t anything that made me uncomfortable about this competition.”

Born and brought up in Toronto, Aanchal defines herself as “an artist.” Nonetheless “I always wanted to be a teacher before anything else,” she tells Generation Next. She has graduated from York University with Bachelor of Education and has had taken classes in Kinesiology as well.

Though Miss India Canada’s title has given a new identify to Aanchal, she is a very familiar face on stage at community events where she dances with a group called DIYA Arts and Academy. Aanchal has trained in bhartanatyam dance.

She was also North American Desi Idol 2008.

Her hobbies include photography, dancing, singing, softball, and playing Nintendo Wii.

The newest face at Badhai Ho on Omni TV is Surbhi Guleria-Joshi. However, it wasn’t a job she had planned for. The opportunity arose “by chance” and she took it. At her audition, “I read out a page on ‘Gantantra Diwas’ [in Hindi] which is Independence Day,” she tells us.

While one can argue about the significance of teaching ethnic languages to kids in North American society, Surbhi hosts a show that is done in sort of classical Hindi. Highlighting the need for parents to teach ethnic languages to kids, this young lady says “the next generation does not see its [ethnic languages’] direct connection or use in their North American lives. If we are able to make them understand that learning about one’s ancestry, culture, language and traditions will help them learn more about themselves, their identity and their uniqueness, they will be more inclined to learn. Also, knowing an additional language in today’s world gives them an edge over others.”

Reluctantly she decided to take advantage of the opportunity. In retrospect, “I realized that this would be a great opportunity to connect people to the language of their origin as well as a great platform to share, debate, learn & inform, I didn’t think twice about it.”

While working on TV gives you some celebrity status, Surbhi doesn’t see herself as “a public personality; I am a people’s person.”

Being on media means responsibility, and she takes it seriously. “Presence in the media is a role of responsibility,” she says.

She feels South Asian media has important role to play in developing community. “It is our responsibility to ensure that new immigrants find the support and infrastructure to meet lesser and lesser challenges. Right now, there are a lot of issues concerning our communities such as professional accreditation, finding suitable jobs, getting the right help whether it is family, finance, work or adjusting to the new culture. I feel media plays an important role in bringing attention to issues that matter,” this charming young lady says.

The greatest part of working in the media is to see firsthand the most important personalities of the day. During course of her work, Surbhi has been inspired by Indira Samarasekera (President of University of Alberta), Madeline Ziniak (National Vice President, OMNI Television) and the Honourable Michaëlle Jean (Governor General of Canada).

And she is dying to get up close with M. G. Vassanji, Deepa Mehta, Indira Nooyi and Mira Nair.

And her constant source of stimulation is Oprah Winfrey. “She brings the idea of living well, sharing human emotions and bringing topics that touch us to the mass media,” says the host of OMNI programme called ‘Badhai Ho.”

With innocent expressions on face, Surbhi has  graduated from National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. The institute taught her to see each problem as an opportunity to practice “my creativity to find new & innovative solutions.” She later graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Design with Honours from York University and Sheridan College in 2005.

Since then she has worked in several leading firms for clients such as the Canada’s National Ballet School, Royal Conservatory of Music and Holiday Inn Hotels, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, SpinMaster, Toronto Transit Commission etc.

With the numbers of South Asians increasing in the GTA, a number of South Asian faces in the GTA has also increased. So far, the community’s response to Surbhi has been “encouraging and motivating. “People are delighted to see that I can speak their language well. I find that I am able to connect to the older as well as the younger audience,” she tells Generation Next.

Kind by nature, her life’s goal, however, is “ to bring significant change in someone’s life by providing them the opportunity to have the basic necessities and education to ensure they achieve their dreams. I am supporting a girl in Bangladesh named Ayesa, I hope to continue supporting her and hopefully meet her one day,” she tell Generation Next.

By: Staff Writer

Attractive young lady Amin Dhillon entered in her first pageant in 2008 “feeling like a new person,” but without the crown of Miss India worldwide pageant. However 2009 brought a new year for her and the title of Miss India Worldwide. She decided to enter “to represent Canada and the Indian community on an international level.  I knew whatever happened, I would walk away as a stronger, better person,” she says gleefully.

Her good experience with pageant lies in the fact that she is writing her first novel based on her pageant experiences and “I’m also working on getting my own TV show,” she announces.

The crown has opened up the world of entertainment industry for her. She looks at scripts sent to her as “I’m also interested in producing my own films one day,” she says.

For herself, Miss India Worldwide thinks about participating in shows such as the Bachelorette. “I, sometimes think I should apply to be on such a show! I find that it’s just like the real dating world. Sometimes people will date you for all the wrong reasons. So I think it’s a good example of how tough the dating world can be and to find someone who you can really connect with. Everyone wants to find love and I think it’s sweet that people are willing to put themselves out there, in the public, for that chance at love. Maybe I’m too much of a romantic!” she tells us.

But the bikini contests are a no, no for her. Nonetheless she is impressed by girls who participate in bikini pageants. These girls “have a lot of guts! It’s tough to put yourself out there and allow yourself to be judged, especially if it’s just on your body. Sometimes those contests can be really empowering to someone, it’s like proving to yourself you can step outside your comfort zone,” Amin says.

Entertainment has an element of presenting yourself, which takes us to what fashion stands for this stunning young artist. “Fashion” she says, “means wearing something that makes you feel good and shows people a side of your personality..If I want to look all dolled up, I go for a cute, flirty dress. If I’m more laid back, I’ll go for a tank top and jeans.”

And her secret to keeping herself fit is “I watch what I eat and I try to run on the treadmill..It’s all about balance!”

With Bachelors in Business, she reflects on whether South Asian youth gains training in entertainment, saying “If a girl wants to get a degree and model, great! You should never put all your eggs in one basket. Life is so unpredictable that you should give yourself every opportunity to further your mind and knowledge. If you look at the actors in Bollywood, many of them have gone to college to earn some sort of degree even though they joined the film industry.”

While there are several pageants taking place in South Asian community, Amin has met girls who want to enter but their families are against it. “Indian pageants open more doors [for South Asian models] because you don’t have to be a model size in order to compete..people need to really understand how each pageant is different and you can’t group all of them together just like you can’t group all South Asians together because we are all different, although similar,” she tells us intelligently.

As for the South Asian community, Amin thinks “the South Asian communities are different everywhere you go. In some places, the community is really tight and supportive and in other places, you can sense the inner conflicts and competition.”

“Many South Asian youth face an identity crisis. Issues like types of clothes to wear, dating, marrying outside of your race or culture, etc [need to be addressed]. I think it’s great to have more media and movies portraying this and making it okay to talk about it. We have many Indo-Canadians in politics, arts, entertainment, sports, etc. It allows other youth to find a good role model to look up to,” she tells us about issues confronting South Asian youth.

Amin Dhillon has been a great supporter of the Canadian Cancer Society and is currently working with Folklorama to promote cultural diversity.

Belonging to e-generation, she mentions her twitter page twitter page www.twitter.com/amindhillon and her facebook page www.facebook.com/Miss.AminDhillon.

Chiropractor Dr. Rubina Tahir graduated from University of Western Ontario where she developed her passion for health, science and the body. She continued her studies at New York Chiropractor College and practiced as a chiropractor for three years at New Jersey. She currently works as a chiropractor in Toronto where she also teaches anatomy and physiology.  Dr. Tahir emphasizes that “pursuing your passion through education is one of the best things that you can do for yourself.”

Though she graduated from a school in the United States, she came back to Canada where she feels at home and wants to serve the community here. Her drive and passion to heath is unprecedented. She volunteers with Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and other health related organizations. As if this wasn’t enough to occupy her, she is also the professor of Anatomy and Physiology-Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy.

Working in the health industry, Rubina is proud of Canada’s health care system in comparison to the one in the United States. While some whine about Canada’s lack of healthcare system, she is pleased with how health care in Canada is accessible to all people and that wait times are relatively normal.

Born in Canada and from Pakistani descent, Rubina finds that religion more than culture has played an important role in her life. She says that religion has helped focus and clear her mind. She is thankful to her parents for having such an open and welcoming attitude to all people. It is because of this attitude that Rubina was able to be confident in her beliefs and not fall prey to social and cultural pressures around her. She feels that it was the tolerance of her parents that taught her to have respect for all people.

Rubina’s expertise in health has helped her look to several political parties for their take on different issues pertaining to her field. She laughingly states that the best of each political party should be taken to make a new political party of its own. Nonetheless her political views are shaped by her brother who is a lawyer.

Dr. Rubina Tahir with her dad

On her previous trip to Pakistan, Rubina’s eyes were opened to the level of poverty that she came across on the streets. She also understood many of the things that were taken for granted such as clean drinking water. And of course, wedding festivities were also an exciting experience in Pakistan, something which lacks comparison in Canada.

Concerning when she will get married herself, Rubina feels that it is something that is out of your control and when the right person comes it will happen.

Rubina’s future goal is to have a chiropractor practice of her own and continue her joy of teaching people about health and the body.

Author: Asma Amanat

We first saw Abhishek Mathur, the Co-founder of Masala Mehndi Masti (MMM) at the grounds of CNE near food vendors’, talking on his little walkie talkie, staring at a piece of paper that later turned out to be MMM’s schedule.

With mellowed passion and drive, Abhishek along with MMM’s co-founder Jyoti Rana and about 120 volunteers, celebrated the 10^th anniversary of MMM this year.

At the time of MMM’s inception, the co-founders thought that “there’s lack of events where South Asians can take their non-South Asian friends to, where a South Asian can tell his colleague at work that “check out this event [MMM].” The idea was not so much to raise awareness of South Asian culture “but to share it” with all Canadians. MMM’s team wanted to hold an event in Downtown Toronto and not Mississauga, Brampton or Scarborough because it “ghettoizes” the event, Abhishek says over the sound of music on which Indian Cultural Association (ICA) from York University was performing.

MMM is a free festival so that Canadians have access to the event and everyone regardless of their income can come and enjoy themselves. “Our culture must be accessible and available to everybody,” Abhishek says while the sun shone over his sun shades. The event is attended by all ages from toddlers to grandparents.

Culture, however, is a very broad term. The festival like MMM can only attempt to represent diversity within South Asian culture and in mainstream Canadian society. “We’re South Asians from Trindiad, Fiji, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, UK. We’ve a history of thousands of years, and a culture that has enhanced” unlike Egyptian and Greek or Roman culture that has died.

MMM, says Abhishek, is not a South Asian festival. “It is inspired by South Asian culture though.”

It is a “unique” event in the sense that it encourages other communities within the fabric of Canadian society to be part of the festival. “We fly Canadian flag only,” says Abhishek who coordinates the event during his time off from a full time job in Dubai.

“We wanted to shake things up…we didn’t want an event that was run in traditional, classical , old-school style where things don’t run on time. We didn’t want an event where 50 years of Indian independence or 25 years of some Pakistani event is celebrated.”

When we asked Abhishek the vision of MMM for next ten years, he told us that when he and his partner started the event, “we thought there should be a time when this festival will not be required. Our culture has become so much the part of the mainstream culture, [that] you’ll hear tabla sounds [if you tune in a radio], [there’re] so many brown faces on TVs.”

But is there enough South Asian representation?

Abhishek’s frank response is “there’ll never be enough..we’ll never be satisfied.”

Author: Asma Amanat

Young, outspoken, honest and charming are just a few words to describe Dr. Mundenchira. She is a classic success story of a daughter of an immigrant family that worked hard and made its place in Canadian society. In doing so she has integrated and adapted to the values of Canadian society, yet being a young South Asian woman has its own challenges.

As someone who came here as a teenager, she admits that she has changed a bit. She has integrated into the society more than her parents. “I’ve accustomed to the culture here..especially because of my career,” she says thoughtfully.

As a family physician in a clinic in Oakville, she is not only a doctor to her South Asian patients, but a counselor as well. She has had youth in late teens, early 20s and mid 20s who have had difficulty communicating with their parents about their hearts’ desire of choosing a career. “Parents mean well.. they just want their kids’ to go into something that pays better,” Dr. Mundenchira says, “youth underestimates their parents..youth should give their parents a benefit of doubt.”

Not being able to talk to parents in South Asian culture puts both parents and youth to stress. “It’s not depression, it’s not anxiety, most of the times it’s stress.”

Living in Canadian society where individualism is at times overwhelming. People want to feel that they are strong and take care of themselves, yet “there’s no harm in telling someone how we feel. Too much family is a problem and not having one is a problem too,” she says.

She can relate to youth’s struggles as she had gone through the same phase of life once with the parents who shared the same concerns. Being a successful woman does not in any way mean that she doesn’t have stress in her life. She has had the same sort of tensions with her family as any youth does. “I became too westernized, but now I’m coming back to my culture,” she reminiscences.

Finding the right guy is just another of life’s worries. Many South Asian women her age feel added pressure from parents to be married at a certain age. Dr. Mundenchira is no different. She is, however, open to a partner from a different background and religion.

“I’m a little forward thinking..we [young women] look for a guy who can understand our ambitions and appreciate our culture,” she says. “Maybe we do expect more than what our mothers’ used to expect.”

To be presentable and to fulfill a certain image of youth, you also have to be slim and trim.

Lean and thin, Dr. Mundenchira was not always like this. She was once chubby. But she made a decision to lose pounds. She found consolation in Bollywood dance style workout. She joined Shiamk to trim her weight.

“Motivation,” she says “is the key.”

Then comes healthy eating habits and changes in life style.

Healthy eating habits means no starchy foods like rice after 6 in the evening, smaller food portions, sticking to eating schedule, instead of having three big meals, six small meals throughout the day.

“And when you go grocery shopping, make a list of things beforehand, rather than piling your carts at the store,” she advises.

“Walking 30 minutes three times a week is good exercise,” she suggests. Understanding hesitation of South Asian families to join gym, she says with good sense of humour “you can walk up and down the stairs, carry rice or flour bags and lift up your kids if you don’t want to lift weights.”

SABA-Toronto was created in 2005 by a small group of volunteers. One of the main objectives of SABA has been the promotion of diversity in the legal profession and judiciary and the creation of greater employment opportunities for visible minority members in the legal profession.

Ron Choudhury, the former president of SABA feels that a lot of hard work has went into making SABA one of the largest South Asian legal organizations in the GTA. In just five years, the organization has expanded to two hundred members and made a name for itself in the legal profession.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t always easy. Choudhury explains how at first the legal community was sceptical about an organization congregating on the basis of race. However, since its inception, SABA received a lot of interest and support from the community. Choudhury is adamant that assimilation cannot happen just within one’s own community, and it is important for communities in Canada to grow together.  This has to be done through an awareness of the legal system and the utilization of legal resources by the South Asian community.

Cognisant of the limitations in using an umbrella term like ‘South Asian’, SABA is focused around promoting unity despite differences in ethnicity, language, nation or religion.

In spite of the contention between the various histories and backgrounds of the South Asian diaspora collecting in Canada, SABA has experienced more harmony than disunity within its professionals and clientele. With goals to expand access and equal opportunity for visible minorities in the legal profession, SABA has always had its eyes on greater inclusion for all people.

One of the things that SABA has been able to overcome, Choudhury feels is the conflicts and barriers between various groups of people within the South Asian community. Whether this be Sri Lankans, Indians or Pakistanis, or the various ethnic groups within these countries, SABA has been able to unite and not differentiate between any group of South Asians. SABA acknowledges the different linguistic groups within South Asia, with Choudhury himself well versed in both Hindi and English.

As a member of the South Asian diaspora in Canada, Ron Choudhury knows that the transition for immigrants can be tough when coming to a different country. He says that his experience at law school helped to ease that transition. Having graduated from Osgoode Hall law school and New York University, Choudhury’s legal expertise focuses on taxation law. Choudhry is an associate and member of Aird & Berlis LLP Tax Group and Estates and Trusts Litigation Team. Choudhury, along with others at SABA feel that the legal profession of which they are a part of, does not reflect the diversity of the burgeoning South Asian presence in Canada.

“When you’re coming from wherever you’re coming from and establishing yourself here, you have to work so much harder– there is always a need, a want, and a desire to do more”, states Choudhury.

Choudhury, however, is discontented with the discrepancy between the increasing number of young South Asians entering law school and the retention of these students in the legal profession in Greater Toronto Area.

The job market for lawyers hasn’t always been the best, especially as the economy continue to recover in the light of last year’s recession. The goal of SABA is to provide mentoring advice to those looking for jobs. SABA hosts pub nights where students can find opportunities through networking. SABA currently caters to the six major law schools in Ontario including Osgoode Hall law school at York, University of Toronto and Queens.

Choudhury feels that catering to the expansive and vast South Asian community in the GTA helps to maximize the potential of the organization. By not limiting themselves to just one group or community within the South Asian diaspora the organization reaches out to a large number of people.

Choudhury believes that larger awareness of the legal system and Canadian culture can help the South Asian community in the process of assimilation. Choudhury loves to teach and give guest lectures. This gives him an opportunity to reach out to young South Asians in university campuses. If he was not working full time in the legal profession, Choudhury’s next option would have been teaching.

“Our council has to represent out city…we need to bring new look, new image, new ideas to Brampton, and the best way to do it is to get younger generation involved,” says 25-year-old Harveen Sidhu. Harveen is running from Ward 9 and 10 of Brampton against Councillor Vicky Dhillon who has served one term at the City Council.

She has an undergraduate degree from University of Toronto in Political Science, she has a graduate degree in public administration and “my heart has always been set out to be involved in politics,” she says excitedly. She has lived in Brampton throughout her life except for when she was studying and interning in New York City with Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg and Governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer.

She counters her lack of experience as “I’ve my grassroots here in Brampton. I know how the system works, I know what people want. I have seen the development in the ward.”

Sitting in a coffee shop, her voice rang with compassion and a strong urge to motivate youth to come out and be part of the electoral process by voting. Her candidacy in many ways represents the new look of Brampton. Ward 9 & 10 has about 60,000 population, out of which more than 50 % are South Asians.

Harveen Sidhu, candidate for Ward 9 & 10 for Brampton City Council, with a group of volunteers.

A great number of these South Asians are interested in investing in India. But “we need a strong enough council to want to do it,” she tells us. The idea is that it‘s okay if the community wants to help people in India, but “you can help us here to help them [Indians] there [in India].”

She strongly feels that the people in the Ward are paying the highest tax dollars to the City. Though she doesn’t make any promises to cut taxes as a city councillor, she wants these dollars to be spent wisely.

“We need more community centers in the ward. The population has more than doubled in last few years and infrastructure isn’t meeting the community needs. We need to improve it.” While federal stimulus is trickling down to the city, what’s important to Harveen is “how do we spend that money.”

Lack of transparency in the city bothers her too. “Our transparency commission in Brampton has been cancelled…because we don’t need it. It [transparency commission] shows people that we are accountable to them [people].” To her being a city counicllor means, “your [city councillors’] boss are people.”

As a city councillor, her first order of business would be “to set youth advisory committees” that can help and guide youth. Her belief is that at a younger age you can teach kids that drugs, violence and guns are bad. Her desire is to help kids who drop out of elementary or high schools. One way to do it, she says, is to explain to them that if you [youth] don’t go to colleges or universities, there would be less opportunities for youth to buy that nice car they want to drive.

To have appropriate jobs for this generation, as a councillor she would work hard to bring big corporations in Brampton, so that people can “work as well as live as well as enjoy themselves in Brampton,” she says.

Harveen wants to bring awareness about what the city council does by having small groups of people meet with her as well as other councillors. “At the end of the day you’re there for people…you can’t help everyone, but you can help most people.,” she says.

There is a large population of new immigrants in Brampton, however these new immigrants do not have the right to vote at municipal level. Harveen believes that these new immigrants shouldn’t have the right to vote as soon as they come to Canada. They should “understand the system, the way process works.. and get involved to improve where they live and know the electoral process,” before they are ready to vote.

Nonetheless, as a voice of youth she cherishes seniors and is grateful to them for the foundation they have established for younger generation.

“At the end of the day, if it wasn’t for seniors, we won’t have those strong foundations,” she says.

But the future rests with youth, and Harveen is out there to mobilize the youth.

South Asian Generation Next caught up with rising star Kat Eyez   to discuss the highly anticipated release of his upcoming album. His sophomore album which is due for release later this summer features multi- platinum producer Marcus Kane and platinum selling international artists including Snow, RDB, and Apache Indian.

K.E is a Canadian born Desi, Hip-hop reggae artist who has found international success after the release of his latest music video “Final Arrangement”, which deals with the issue of arranged marriages. The Canadian artist has been receiving heavy video play worldwide including heavy play in both India and the UK and has landed him on such video stations such as MTV Base U.K., MuchMusic, MTV Tempo, B4U, Brit-Asia and MTV India. His “Hey Love” video (featuring Snow) went #1 on Mtv Desi in New York!!!

Born to South Asian parents, this talented young artist not only writes his own songs but has also collaborated with international artists including, Apache Indian, Brick and Lace, Snow, RDB, and R&B sensation Jon B.

Like many South Asian parents, Kat Eyez   parents were initially skeptical of his career choice. They thought “it was just a phase I was going through but as I continued they realised how much it meant to me.  They are very supportive and continue to give me encouragement to go on.  When they saw me hit #1, well they liked that phase,” he says happily.

Talking about culture, he says “my culture is both Canadian and Indian.  I was born in Canada, Toronto and my upbringing was more so Indian than Canadian. Culture is essentially my identity and my roots; you can’t have one without the other.”

As an individual he describes himself as “a person who is constantly learning about himself, and is someone who is un-afraid of sharing his learning process with the world.” As a musician, he differentiates himself as “versatile..well rounded Emcee, Singer, Songwriter who can appreciate good sound in any type of genre whether it be Hindi, Classical, Rock or Reggae.”

The new generation of South Asian stars is experimenting with all genres of music without training as hard as classical musicians did. About his music, Kat Eyez   says “it’s a little bit of everything… I’m influenced by all types of music so you’re getting a little bit of Rap, Reggae and R&B.”

Citizen of the globe, Kat Eyez   has experienced different reactions to his music in different parts of the world. He tells us “my second single, “Final Arrangement”, went #1 on MTV India and that was because fans could relate to the subject and story line of the video.  There was more of an impact in India than in Canada or the US because it deals with the issue of arranged marriages.”

Though he hasn’t gone to school to study music, Kat Eyez’  passion drives him. “You can study all the music in the world and learn everything there is but if you don’t have the passion and gift for it, it won’t take you anywhere. I think you can produce evergreen songs with passion and love for music,” he says.

He cherishes Apache Indian and Snow. “They paved the way for me and for so many others,” he tells Generation Next. Currently his favourites Bob Marley, but he enjoys  Drake, Roach Killa, Humble the Poet, J-Hind, Mediated Minds, Blitz also.

When Kat Eyez   got the opportunity to work with his childhood idol’s Apache Indian and Snow, who he has a video with, it was one of his dream come true. “We went #1 on Mtv Desi, unreal!!!” he says.

“Another great moment was when I heard my song was playing on shows like P.Diddy’s “Making the Band” and then hearing it on the radio for the first time the day after.”

At another time “I was eating some garlic naan when platinum producer Marcus Kane called. He told me to turn on the TV. ASAP.  Then I heard my song “Girlz” on “America’s Next Top Model”, I nearly choked, but luckily I had some “Thumbs Up”™ to wash it down J.”

Post 9/11, artists are incorporating themes like war, violence, drugs and so in their work. Many critique the approach arguing that music is to relax and to relish, not to put forth political opinions.

Kat Eyez  says “ You can put anything into your music. Music is a form of expression. Things like violence, gangs and drugs are all apart of the world, no matter where you are or where you live.  I believe it’s important for people to be educated and to also learn through other people’s experiences.  We can change the negative into a positive through music.”

And he wants to do humanitarian work. His approach to life is “humanitarian work is very important. I see people that are financially blessed that do nothing to help anyone else.  I believe that if you are able to help others in need than you should. I do whatever I can, and will continue to do humanitarian work throughout my career.”

He encourages his fans to listen to his music at www.hangoverrecords.com and www.myspace.com/hangoverrecords.com or they can add Kat Eyez   to their facebook, Kat Eyez   Iz.

By: Staff Writer