Embracing Kenyan Identity: Alisha Popat’s Pursuit of Africanising Music
Alisha Popat Alisha Popat is a fifth-generation Kenyan, internationally renowned singer/songwriter, and one of Africa’s top musical pioneers, thanks to her African-inspired music. She sings various international songs and is best loved for her performance at the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa.
Get ready for an extraordinary podcast experience as we welcome the internationally renowned singer and songwriter, Alisha Popat, joining Chief Explorer Rajan Nazran as his esteemed guest. Accompanying them on this captivating journey is Kulvinder Ghir, a talented screenwriter and actor.
In this thought-provoking podcast, Alisha Popat candidly shares her challenges in confronting stereotypes surrounding her identity. She opens up about the profound impact of Western culture on her music and her heartfelt quest to Africanize her musical expression. Alisha passionately celebrates the significance of Kenyan culture and identity while marveling at the beauty of Kenya and the generosity of its South African people.
Throughout the conversation, she explores the process of embracing her African heritage and thoughtfully distinguishes between culture and identity. Alisha also addresses the complex issue of resentment towards Indians felt by some Kenyans. Furthermore, she courageously expresses her dissatisfaction with being labeled an international artist of Kenyan origin, yearning to be recognized simply as a Kenyan musician.
Sharing a deeply personal experience, Alisha recalls feelings of embarrassment and alienation during her visit to India, providing an honest rationale for her strong identification with her Indian roots rather than the country itself. Lastly, she emphasizes the remarkable advantages of being multilingual and how it has positively impacted her life.
Stay tuned for this enlightening conversation, where you’ll gain insights into patriotism, life lessons, and so much more. Don’t miss out on this compelling journey with Alisha Popat, Rajan Nazran, and Kulvinder Ghir. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss!
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music credit: https://freesound.org/people/DaveJf
About Alisha Popat
Alisha Popat Alisha Popat is a fifth-generation Kenyan, internationally renowned singer/songwriter, and one of Africa’s top musical pioneers, thanks to her African-inspired music. She sings various international songs and is best loved for her performance at the FIFA World Cup held in South Africa.
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