For Bihar natives Yechan Lee and Luna Yogini, their Korean roots in Kolkata, India, are not just a place on a map, but a deep essence woven into their very being.Their legacy is probably Korean But the heart beats to Indian rhythms.
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Luna and Yechan embark on a journey of introspection, exploring the deep concept that home is not limited by geography but is a sanctuary for the soul.
Luna’s connection to Bengal stems from her family’s ties to Indian spirituality. Raised by her mother in Kolkata, Luna found a deep sense of belonging in Bengal’s vibrant culture, diverse atmosphere and rich traditions.
“She chose Kolkata because of its importance as the birthplace of figures she deeply admired and admired, including Paramahansa Yogananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Sri Sri Anandamurti, and Rabindranath Tagore. ,” Luna says.
Yechan emphasized that his connection with Bihar’s culture and language is deeply rooted through his childhood in Patna, where he spent 20 years. “It wasn’t that I was interested (in culture), it was just a natural experience for me, like any other Indian growing up in India. Ask any Indian person how they got interested in Indian culture. “It would be interesting,” he said.
India and South Korea: same but different
Luna recognized the similarities between the two Korean and BengaliEspecially in respecting elders. She said, “Both Bengali and Korean cultures have a deep respect for their elders.” Yechan noticed this too. “Respecting elders and caring for parents and grandparents are important aspects of both cultures,” he said.
Luna feels that Korean and Bengali are similar when it comes to sentence structure. “Both languages share a similar sentence structure in which the subject precedes the object and verb,” she said. She said that despite the linguistic differences between Koreans and Biharis, Yechan noted the similarities between Korean and Hindi, which made it easier to communicate. She said it was a smooth process.
Luna notes how culinary tastes connect India and Korea, saying, “Bengalis and Koreans alike add a little sugar to enhance the flavor of their delicious dishes. I realized how much I enjoyed Bengali food.”
Yechan talked about his experience visiting a friend’s house. “Aunt Ji” always warmly welcomes him with hearty chai, “me thai” (sweets) and snacks. He considers it a sign of kindness and respect. He also observed their generosity during meals, consistently offering more food out of his love, even if he claimed he was full.
Luna had the same experience in Bengal. “I love the conversation over chai, or the ‘ada’ culture. I love it when people warmly feed you and make you “petuk” like that! ”
One difference Yechan noticed Korean and Bihari It all depends on how you follow the trends. “There are many people in South Korea who are very aware of trends. When something is trending, such as fashion, everyone starts following that trend. I don’t see anyone who cares too much about whether they’re there,” Yechan said.
life and culture
During her stay in Bengal, Luna found herself fascinated with different aspects of Bengali culture. Luna wholeheartedly embraced the essence of Bengal, as he engaged in philosophical discussions in everyday conversations, enjoyed the warm Bengali hospitality, and participated in traditions of learning art and music. Despite initial difficulties adjusting to life in Bengal, including being almost fooled by some locals, he enjoyed simple pleasures like ‘Daar Baat’ and overcome the language barrier with his mother. Luna’s fond memories of overcoming things highlighted her deep connection to Bengal. region.
What attracted Yechan most about Bihari culture compared to his Korean background was the relaxed and laid-back nature of Bihar’s life. He learned valuable lessons about the importance of not taking things too seriously and not comparing yourself to others. “As you live your life as an individual and as a member of a community, there will always be things and people to compare yourself to. I try to be grateful and focus on myself,” he said.
Actively participating in Bengali festivals and celebrations, Luna embraced Bengali traditions. “Daaknaam” (nickname). Her Bangla name Nirmala was bestowed upon her by a Korean Indian saint and is cherished as her spiritual name. By combining it with her Korean name Dasom, which means “love,” she finds beauty in the intertwining of both identities, symbolizing “pure love” when fused.
Elaborating on another similarity between Bihari and Korean culture, Yechan said, “Both cultures celebrate various traditional festivals. For example, in Bihar, festivals such as Chhath Puja and Holi are widely celebrated.” However, in Korea, festivals such as the Lunar New Year (Seollal) and the Harvest Festival (Chuseok) have important meaning.
Yechan also addressed misconceptions about Bihar, including its criminal reputation and education system. His personal experience contradicted these stereotypes.he emphasized the quality of the education he received Patna.
Luna says: “I love how in Bengal, simple everyday conversations turn into philosophical discussions about life and existence. I love how each Bengali family preserves a culture of learning some form of art, music, and dance. I also appreciate that Bengali families have a culture of planning family trips to various parts of the country and abroad.”
As Luna weaves together Bangla and Korean names, Yechan bridges the linguistic gap with ease. These two Indian and Korean souls embody the essence of cultural fusion and acceptance.
