AKASH PAMARTHY

Telugu Americans Story: Indian Americans are second largest immigrant population in the United States. 4.8 million Indian Americans reside in the U.S and play a significant role in the society. Telugu is a south Indian language which is the fastest-growing language in the United States in the last 10 years, with a growth rate of a whopping 150%. Indian Telugu- speaking states Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in India account for 14 percent of all Indian Americans living in the United States. Pavan Vemuri, 37, and Keerthi Sanivarapu, 35, are two individuals who have moved to America for better opportunities and achieve better quality of life so called the ‘Indian American Dream’. Both engineers, working their way through immigration hoops and obtained work visas, bought a home together and currently raise their 2-year-old son Ridhay Aaryan Vemuri in Novi, Michigan with their Indian heritage. From left, Keerthi Sanivarapu, 35, Ridhay Vemuri, 2, and Pavan Vemuri, 37, celebrate Diwali (the Hindu festival of lights) by lighting fireworks at their residence in Novi, Mich. on Oct. 24, 2022. They also adorn their home with lights, a tradition often confused with Christmas lights in the United States.

Telugu Americans Ridhay Vemuri, 2, and his mother Keerthi Sanivarapu, 35, pray to the Indian deities in their prayer room at their residence in Novi, Mich. on Oct.15, 2022.

Telugu Americans Keerthi Sanivarapu, 35, feeds her son Ridhay Vemuri, 2, with her own hands at their residence in Novi, Mich. on Oct.15, 2022. Feeding a child with the hand is normal gesture in Indian tradition and part of the culture.

Telugu Americans Pavan Vemuri, 37, and Keerthi Sanivarapu, 35, along with their son Ridhay Vemuri, 2, shop at the Pandey Indian store for monthly groceries. “Raising a kid with dual identity, we are not the first people to come to the US and experiment with it. Many people have already done it and it is our turn right now in our life. It is not easy. We are trying our way let us see how successful we get at it.” says Keerthi.

Telugu Americans Keerthi Sanivarapu, 35, bathes her son Ridhay Vemuri, 2, at their residence in Novi, Mich. Keerthi sings and makes her son recite some Telugu songs during the shower time. “We make a conscious effort of talking to him in Telugu. Hopefully it will last long. If we are a little easy on not showing our culture, that’s right, and it’s totally switched off and we just don’t want that to happen. Surprisingly we don’t have to put in a lot of effort to teach them a language but must put in a lot of effort to continue to talk in that language,” says Pavan.

Telugu Americans Ridhay Vemuri, 2, closes his eyes as his swim instructor Kylie Modreski, 15, holds him during his swimming class at the British swimming school. According to Ridhay’s parents, once he is at a conscious age to make his own decisions, they want him to embrace both the cultures and respect them. When he is outside of home, he is exposed to American culture but at home it is going to stay Indian.

Telugu Americans The second generation kids struggle with identity as they are not accepted completely as Americans nor Indians. Identity provides a narrative about oneself. Being a second-generation Telugu American, is significant for some and for others it is a small part of how they conceptualize themselves. However, a person's ethnic identity can be determined by their interactions with others of different racial backgrounds, their family and socioeconomic background.

Telugu Americans Ridhay Vemuri, 2, and his parents share moments at home, from around the dinner table as photos of family back in India hang in their living room wall. “Our generation is like the only generation which is neither here nor there. We are the bridge between the kids and folks in India. It is lot tougher for us to balance upbringing with two cultures. If you take my family or her family, we are the last generation who can follow and pass our Indian culture to the next and that is a huge burden and responsibility,” says Pavan.

Telugu Americans Ridhay Vemuri, 2, rests on his mother's lap at their dinner table in Novi, Mich on Oct. 15. “He might adapt things from the American culture or other cultures and feel a little different compared to the other kids but should not receive it in a negative aspect but embrace his dual identity,” says Keerthi.

Telugu Americans Keerthi Sanivarapu, 35, lifts the blinds of her bedroom window so her son Ridhay Vemuri, 2, can peek outside their home in Novi, Mich on Oct. 16. 2022.