Whenever the Teletubbies introduce an Indian theme or the Backyardigans sing a Bollywood tune, my son is tickled pink, and immediately exclaims, “That’s just like us!”
To an Indian American child finding something Indian on children’s television is fascinating and unique. To his surprise, and to my pleasure, there’s going to more of his favorite characters talking about things that are familiar to him, reiterating his Indian culture that he is so far away from.
Soon Big Bird, Elmo, Grover, Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster, Zoe, and the rest of the Sesame Street crew, will not be the only ones who enthrall and entertain kids—a new character, Leela, will soon bring international culture and flair to the on the popular, long-running PBS show
Children who watch Sesame Street will be able to relate to an Indian accent and to Indian festivals and holidays, thanks to this latest cast member—the first Hindu— to arrive on Sesame Street. The new episodes, featuring a young Indian American actress, Nitya Vidyasagar, will start airing in August 2008 during Sesame Street’s 39th season.
When the producers of Sesame Street were looking for a new actor to run the local laundromat, they were not looking for an Indian or any particular ethnicity—they just wanted someone who was charming and not patronizing to a young audience. According to the newspaper India-West, the fact that this character is a Hindu and Indian American is purely coincidental. In fact, the character was recreated for this actress since they were smitten by her theatrical abilities.
“I’m so excited, this is a big deal for me, and for the Indian American community … and it shows that India has a growing place in the world profile,” said Vidyasagar in a phone interview with India-West .
A question that many Indians are asking is why she changed her characters name from Nitya, her real name, to stage name Leela? While Nitya defends the decision, believing that her own name is more difficult to pronounce than Leela, many beg to differ. But the upshot is, Leela is here and ready to teach America’s children a little more about the Indian American immigrant community, Hinduism–the third largest religion in the world—it’s culture, heritage, and festivals.
–written by Visi Tilak, an award-winning writer who lives in Ashland, MA
posted April 10, 2008 at 10:33 am
I do not think that this program is for children only,I am 82, and have been watching this for years… love it
posted April 10, 2008 at 11:01 am
Will this new actress bring information about Hinduism to the minds of our children? I hope not, because if she does, I will have to launch a campaign for parents to boycott this show.
posted April 10, 2008 at 11:15 am
I’m thrilled that Sesame Street is adding another new face to it’s mix. That’s What Sesame Street is all about: showing our children that the world comes in many shapes, sounds and shades. I’ve never seen them push any kind of racial or religious theme; just how kids need to be kind to one another and accept one another for what they are. For many years my son wanted to live on the “Street”! All the characters and people were his very best friends.
posted April 10, 2008 at 12:13 pm
“Will this new actress bring information about Hinduism to the minds of our children?”
yeah. god forbid they learn about a different religion.
*eye roll*
posted April 10, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Yea for diversity!!
posted April 10, 2008 at 1:23 pm
i think it is a good idea.
posted April 10, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I’m not against them adding a new person and culture to the show but to have them teaching things like their relegion to children who watch the show is definitely WRONG!! It is ok to teach about where she is from and things like that but to teach something so important like relegion that is to be taught by the parents is not cool. I totally agree with the other comment about parents and others boycotting the show if they allow the teaching of the Hinduism relegion because that is not what should be taught on that show.
posted April 10, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I am very concerned that a new character is being added. I think it is ok to have other cultures represented on the show, however, Sesame Street is not only advocating a new culture. The show is advocating the Hindu religion. Try as they might, they are placing hinduism above other religions. When watching Sesame Street before, I have never seen that Christianity was advocated. If one religion is represented, then Christiantiy should get just as much air time.
posted April 11, 2008 at 6:11 pm
That’s it! Enough is enough! Now That I am informed, my children, and all children who’s parents I can inform, will never watch Sesame Street again. As stated by a poster above, I want my children learning other cultures, but not religions. As narrow and subjective as it may seem to some, this country, and the last time I checked it was still America, was founded on Christian principles and that is the way it should stay(The Holy Bible says in John 14:6, There is ONE God, and ONE mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus.”).
I was going to simply add, what will they add next, a witch?, but, in thinking about it, they already have a “fairy” a satanic character, Count Dracula, AND gay and openly gay charters(Mr. Noodle)and guests(Elton John, etc.). Lest I forget, Sesame Street is , now, even using “same sex” parents in their presentations, and Homosexuality, contrary to liberal thought, is a MORAL issue. . . not a civil or social one.
posted April 16, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Wow! Interesting comments…
Just because I hear about the mormon polygamists on TV does that mean I want to become one, heck no!
When Sesame Street exposes children to different cultures and religions it is educational in nature, they are not trying to convert anyone, and if someone thinks that they really do have a problem living in a cosmpolitan society.
Living in a global society today where cultures are melding together and creating the “Melting pot” syndrome, it is very worrisome to see this kind of narrow-mindedness come through.
Diversity is the wave of the present and the future, hindus and muslims can celebrate christmas and christians celebrate diwali and id with their friends. Time to get with the groove, don’t you think!
posted April 18, 2008 at 12:51 am
They aren’t saying that they will be TEACHING HINDUISM on Sesame Street!!! Sheesh!!! CALM DOWN PEOPLE!!! Educating & exposing our children & grandchildren to the beliefs & culture of those in their community is NOT THE SAME AS TEACHING THE RELIGION!!! Kids are surrounded by Christianity & it’s influences in American society. I support that! But part of learning to be loving, accepting citizens in a Global community is understanding what makes us the same & the areas where we are different … AND learning to ACCEPT each other INSPITE of our differences.
I say HURRAY for Sesame Street!! I will encourage my daughter to have my grandsons watching! They have already learned to speak many words in Spanish … why not learn about Indian culture too?
Friends … having our children learn some basic things so that they can understand their Indian neighbors & classmates is NOT the same as indoctrinating them into a different religion.
PLEASE calm down! Lack of understanding about others leads to fear, racism, prejudice & ugly things that this country has been ashamed of.
If you boycott Sesame Street … you are supporting keeping our children uninformed & teaching them to see anyone who has a different culture or belief than they do to FEAR & DISLIKE that person, rather than try to UNDERSTAND & ACCEPT who they are.
ACCEPTING does NOT EQUAL CONVERTING!!!!!!!!!!!
Shall we refuse to have them learn history as well? If they learn about American Indians, they will learn a different belief system. How about Ancient Civilizations? Shall we prevent out children from learning about Mayan & Aztec culture? Or Aborigines in Australia …. it goes on & on.
This is like “book burning” mentality. PLEASE rethink what you are saying here!!!!!!!!!