A Rhyme That Carried My Heritage Across Generations

“भाषा केवल शब्दों का संग्रह नहीं होती, यह हमारी संस्कृति, हमारी यादों और हमारी पहचान को आगे बढ़ाने का माध्यम होती है।”
(Language is not just a collection of words; it is a way of carrying our culture, memories, and identity forward.)

Every family has stories, traditions, and memories that connect generations. For me, one of the most special moments of my journey in the UK was getting the opportunity to share a small piece of my Indian heritage with children at my daughter’s primary school, where they were celebrating languages from around the world.

I introduced the children to a much-loved Hindi rhyme –“मछली जल की रानी है” (Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai) – a simple childhood rhyme that holds a very special place in my heart. This rhyme has been part of my family’s memories for around 70 – 75 years, passed down through generations. It is a rhyme my mother sang to me when I was young, and one that I was now able to share with a new generation of children in Britain.

Standing in the classroom and seeing children from different backgrounds excited to learn a few words of Hindi was a truly special experience. Together, we learnt the rhyme, explored the meanings of Hindi and English words, practised counting in Hindi, and even learnt the days of the week. Their curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to embrace another language reminded me how languages can create connections between people and cultures.

For me, this was much more than a language activity. It was about sharing a piece of my family’s story, celebrating my roots, and creating a connection between my Indian heritage and the diverse British community we are now part of.

As a parent raising my daughter in the UK, I feel proud that she can grow up connected to her Indian heritage while also embracing the multicultural world around her. I hope she continues to value the languages, stories, and traditions that have travelled through generations before her.

A small childhood rhyme that began as a memory in my family has now found its way into a British classroom – travelling from my mother’s voice, to mine, and to a new generation. It reminds me that heritage lives on not only through what we inherit, but through what we choose to share.