Embracing a Culture

2 Boys, 1 Woman

Rita (43), a migrant woman from India, Raj (17) son of Rita, a teenager, and Alex (17) is Raj’s high

school friend and has no background culture.

Scene: Living room near the kitchen, Rita’s house

Rita is busy cooking food and decorating her living room since it’s their cultural festival. On the same

day, Raj has invited Alex to his home to work on their science project. Raj gets embarrassed and creates

drama. Raj learns about the cultural importance, which he took for granted.

(The play opens with warm lighting. Kitchen and living room are decorated with lighting and colorful

cultural design. Rita is dressed up in saree (traditional attire) and she is cooking food. Raj is coming

downstairs while screaming)  

RAJ: Mom, what is that awful smell?

RITA: Son, I am cooking traditional Indian cuisine food for our dinner on today’s special occasion.

RAJ: What special occasion?

RITA: It is the festival of Diwali.

RAJ: (Raj looks around the decorated living room) Why did you decorate our house? There are small oil

lamps, string lights, God idols, toran everywhere. Is it necessary?

RITA: Of course, my son. You know the festival of Diwali is all about lighting and spreading happiness.

It’s our culture, it is our roots of existence. You, me, and all our family are united with this

tradition of celebrating the festival.

RAJ: Mom, you're kidding me. Are you aware, who is coming today at our home?

RITA: Nor your dad or I have invited anyone, then who?

RAJ: I invited my high school friend, Alex. We both are going to work on our science project.

RITA: Nice! Tell him to join us on this special occasion.

RAJ: No way! He is only coming to work on the science project, and he is going to be in my room for

the entire time. He is not going to celebrate.

RITA: Why are you saying that! It is going to be fun.

RAJ: No, mom! I was born here, and I am an American. I don’t want to celebrate the festival. I don’t

feel like I have a culture. I don’t feel attached to this culture. Mom, Alex is not going to like this

awful Indian curry smell. It smells disgusting to me. None of us are going to eat this food. I am

going to order something from the restaurant.

RITA: What about the food I prepared for you? It is delicious. The aroma of Indian spices... 
RAJ: (Raj hit his fist on the table) I said that I am not going to eat it, and listen to me clearly, “I DON'T

WANNA BE PART OF THIS CULTURE."  

RITA: You should be proud of your culture, son! Not everyone has a privilege to have one as you do.

Son don’t take your culture for granted. Don’t forget your roots.

RAJ: I don’t have a culture and please don’t force me! I am not going to deal with that, you understand.

RITA: (Rita’s starts dripping tears) Son, are you serious. Tell me, you don’t feel like what you just said.

Tell me you are kidding (a small pause). You see son, I and your father came here to the United

States for you. For your brighter future. So, you can study well and have a better opportunity,

which we didn’t receive when we were your age. And now, you don’t care about us. About our

culture? 

 RAJ: (Raj rolls his eyes) Mom, please stop being dramatic about it. Stop your emotional blackmail. I

just feel embarrassed about whatever you are celebrating. I don’t want to get embarrassed in

front of my friend, Alex.

RITA: (Weeping while speaking) Why should you feel embarrassed? It is your culture, it is your

identity, it is your strength. Don’t feel embarrassed. You deserve to have a culture. Don’t take it

for granted son.

RAJ: Mom, for God’s sake, just STOP! Just forget about our whole conversation on the culture. I just

want to tell you that I will manage my dinner because I am not going to eat this disgusting food.

RITA: Son, please don’t offend our cultural food (Pleading with her hands). 

RAJ: It is fine mom; I have decided that Alex would directly come into my room without you meeting

him. Just try to spray some room freshener. I want that smell to leave my house, RIGHT NOW!

RAJ: (Doorbell sound effect. Alex enters the play; meanwhile, Rita sprays the room freshener) Hey,

Alex!
ALEX: Hi, Raj.

RAJ: Dude, are you ready for the project?

ALEX: Yeah, sure.

RAJ: Let’s go upstairs to my room.

ALEX: Wait a minute. All these decorations...Is anything special today, dude?

RAJ: Nothing, just usual.

ALEX: (Alex walks towards the living room; he glances at the decoration) Wow, your living room is lit,

bro. Everywhere there are just candles, lights, oil lamps. It looks so energetic. I have never seen

such beautiful decorations in my life. Man, I am just going to take a pic and upload it to my

Instagram. (Takes a picture with his cellphone; he then sniffs and walks towards the kitchen)

What is that smell?

RAJ: Oh man! DON’T GO THERE!

ALEX: (Alex confronts Rita in her kitchen) Hello, Rita!

RITA: Hello, Alex.

RAJ: (Raj walks towards his mom) Mom, I told you that I don’t want that smell. Where is the room

freshener? You made me embarrassed in front of my friend. I told you clearly that I am not a part

of this culture. I don’t want to celebrate the festival. Alex let’s go!

ALEX: Wait, Raj. (Walks towards the stove) Rita, what are you cooking?

RITA: Yes, Alex. It is a traditional Indian dish made on a special occasion. Since today is our festival of

Diwali, I made it for everyone. Do you like the smell?

ALEX: Yes, it is the best aromatic smell I ever had. 

RITA: Would you like to have some food after it’s been cooked?

ALEX: I would love to have some. I am excited about it.

embarrassed in front of you.

ALEX: No, Rita. I am more excited and curious to know more about your food, about your occasion,

about your culture. I don’t think that it is an embarrassment to embrace a culture. It is the best

thing that one could deserve. Not everyone has a privilege to have a strong culture as your family

does. Raj, you lucky dude.

RITA: Wait, what do you mean by not everyone has a strong culture. Don’t you have one that you feel

proud of? Don’t you celebrate with your family?

ALEX: Unfortunately, I don’t have a culture to celebrate. You see, it's a long story. But shortly, I have

been adopted. I have never seen my biological parents. I have only heard about them and one

thing my parents told me about my biological parents was that you were adopted from a family

that had a strong cultural background. I have always been looking for a unique culture to

embrace and celebrate. My current parents barely celebrate any occasion. I never understood the

importance of having a culture, but looking now, I can assure Raj that having a culture builds

one’s identity. Culture reflects our character. It helps to spread happiness and reunites everyone

for a good living. 

RAJ: (Raj holds his mom’s hand) Mom, I am so sorry that I misbehaved with you, and you are right that

I took my culture for granted, and I can’t believe that I have been ignoring the privilege I had this

entire time. Alex, you opened my eyes. I should be grateful for my culture. I am sorry mom.

RITA: It’s ok, my son. Your acceptance of your culture better came late than never. Alex, I am sorry to

hear about what you have been through. One thing I want to assure you is that the importance of

the culture is still present in you, even though you didn’t get a chance to celebrate your culture.

You are like my son, and you are always welcome to our home to become a part of our culture. I
 can let you know more about our culture, our festivals anytime you want. I can get you delicious

food anytime you want. Feel free to stop by and I am always there for you.

ALEX: (Alex hugs Rita) Oh, so nice of you, Rita.

RAJ: (Pressure cooker whistle sound effect) Mom, I am feeling hungry, please serve me the traditional

food you have been cooking since morning.

RITA: Yes, my son. Alex, would you like to taste the traditional dishes?

ALEX: Yes, I'm so excited to try.

RITA: Sit on the dining table, and I would serve it hot.

RAJ: Let’s go, Alex!

ALEX: Let’s go!

*The End *