Two and a half decades ago, in the bustling alleys of Petaling Jaya's Pasar Malam (Malay: night market) two soon-to-be Indian parents savoured their Mee Goreng and Nasi Kandar, unaware, that the propensity of positive emotions elicited while consuming South East Asian cuisines was only aiding the cultural diaspora their child would face several years later.
Born in Kolkata, India, but raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia- my cultural identity has been strewn across two countries, both of which have absolutely no dearth in cultural wealth. It is the very reason I request my mother to whip up some Kheer right after a flavourful meal of Bak Kut Teh or perhaps why I enjoy playing Cricket as much as Sepak Takraw.