Indira S. Somani

Research

Somani's research is two-fold: one, to study how ethnic groups, specifically the Indian diaspora around the world, use media to stay connected to their homeland; two, to make documentary films about how ethnic groups maintain and preserve their cultural identity in another country, such as Asian Indians. Somani has been following the Indian diasporic community since the 1984 when she wrote my first story for an ethnic newspaper, India Tribune. Throughout high school, she covered the Indian community in her hometown, Springfield, Ill. As a second-generation Indian woman, she has lived through the experience of being a part of the Indian diasporic community. As a result, she is and still continues to be fascinated with how this particular ethnic group stays connected to their culture to maintain their identity, specifically through media. Her research focuses on the generation of the Asian Indians that migrated to the U.S. between 1960 and 1972 and their media habits. This generation did not grow up watching television, because television was not introduced in India before 1959 and that was only in a few homes. They learned the act of watching television (enculturation) after migrating to the U.S. Eventually they became acculturated into watching Indian television when the programs became available via the satellite dish.

Documentary Experience

Somani's most recent production is Crossing Lines - a personal essay documentary about her struggle to stay connected to India after the loss of her father. The film has won numerous awards including the Gracie Allen Award for "Outstanding Documentary-- Short Format," from American Women in Radio and Television (2009). The film has screened in film festivals nationally and internationally, including the prestigious MIAAC-Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival of New York (2008). It has also screened on PBS affiliates across the country distributed by NETA, National Educational Telecommunications Association. Crossing Lines has been used to teach intercultural communication and is available for purchase through New Day Films.

Please go to Somani's faculty profile page for more information.