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More than Opportunity
America taught me that identity is not something to leave behind, it is something to celebrate and share.
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Shivangi Singh - Sat, 04, Jul 2026
- 11:00 EDT
- 29
Representative Image / Generated using AI
America gave me more than opportunity; it gave me a platform to transform a centuries-old heritage into a global conversation.
I arrived from India, carrying the rich traditions of Mithila folk art and the dreams of countless immigrants. In America, I found the freedom to preserve my cultural identity while pursuing possibilities I could never have imagined.
What began as a personal mission to keep my heritage alive has grown into an artistic journey that has taken my work to prestigious venues including the United Nations Headquarters, the Consulate General of India in New York, Gracie Mansion, FDNY Headquarters, Times Square, and the European Union Headquarters in Brussels.
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Along the way, I was honored to be recognized among the Top Indian American Art Influencers, featured in The People’s Artist campaign presented by Johnny Depp as an ambassador for The Art of Elysium’s Art Heals initiative, and awarded the Women Entrepreneur in the Arts honor by the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce.
Yet my greatest achievement is not the recognition itself, it is the ability to serve as a cultural bridge. Through exhibitions, workshops, and community engagement, I have introduced the ancient storytelling traditions of Mithila art to diverse audiences, inspiring younger generations to embrace both their heritage and their creativity.
America taught me that identity is not something to leave behind, it is something to celebrate and share. It gave me the confidence to transform tradition into innovation, passion into purpose, and art into a vehicle for cultural diplomacy. As an artist, entrepreneur, mother, and proud Indian American, I remain grateful for a nation that allows dreams to flourish while honoring the stories that shaped us.
The writer is a NJ-based artist dedicated to preserving and promoting Mithila folk art on global platforms.
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad.)
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