In this episode, I sit down with Vivek Bald, a filmmaker, writer, and scholar dedicated to uncovering the hidden histories of the South Asian diaspora. For the past twenty-five years, Vivek has explored the migration patterns and cultural impact of South Asians in the US and Britain through his documentaries, books, and academic work at MIT’s Comparative Media Studies Department. His latest documentary, “In Search of Bengali Harlem,” with actor and playwright Alaudin Ullah, which premiered in early March, reveals the forgotten history of Bengali migrants who settled in Harlem during the 1920s, integrating into Black and Hispanic communities. Key TakeawaysHistory of South Asian Migration: Overview of South Asian migration to the United States. Experiences of early South Asian immigrants. Impact of immigration laws on the South Asian community. Personal and Family Experiences: Vivek Bald's upbringing and influences. His mother’s activism and its impact on his perspectives. Development of his interest in documentary filmmaking. In Search of Bengali Harlem: The undocumented migration of Bengali Muslim men to the US in the early 20th century. Intermarriages with African American and Puerto Rican women. Challenges faced by these communities. Personal stories and the research process behind the documentary. The intersection of Race, Class, and Identity: How these elements have shaped the experiences of South Asian immigrants. The cultural influence of South Asians in cities like New York. Political undertones in the narratives of South Asian migration. Additional Links:To learn more about In Search of Bengali Harlem, http://bengaliharlem.com The film is available to stream on PBS as part of the documentary series America ReFramed: On PBS/WORLD’s YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os-PxQ2q3IgUsing the PBS App on your TV or Mobile Device:https://www.pbs.org/pbs–app/At America ReFramed:https://worldchannel.org/episode/america-reframed-in-search-of-bengali-harlem/ http://bengaliharlem.com/watch Immigrantly is a weekly podcast that celebrates the extraordinariness of immigrant life. We do this by providing our listeners with authentic, accurate insights into the immigrant identity in America. Immigrantly has garnered significant recognition and has been featured in renowned media outlets such as the Nieman Storyboard, The Guardian, The Slowdown, and CNN.Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com.Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! You can connect with Saadia on Twitter @swkkhan Email: saadia@immigrantlypod.comHost & Producer: Saadia Khan I Content Writer: Saadia Khan & Adiba Hussain I Editorial review: Shei Yu I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic SoundImmigrantly podcast is an Immigrantly Media Production.For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.comDon’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for more insightful episodes. Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices