Colours, cuisine, culture and more – experience the essence of Little India in Sydney
BY INDRANI GHOSE
Little Indias, call them cultural hubs or economic powerhouses, these enclaves are characterised by a bustling commercial scene. The shops and businesses here cater to not only the Indian community but also visitors from all walks of life.
Events, festivals, and performances hosted within these enclaves are a window to learn about and appreciate Indian culture. Additionally, they promote a sense of unity and belonging among Indian immigrants.
A peep into the evolution of Little Indias in different parts of the world reveals a fascinating process. It is a cohesive mix of historical, social, economic, and cultural factors. The formation of Little Indias often begins with historical waves of Indian migration.
Immigrants tend to settle in specific neighbourhoods where they can find familiarity and support from people who share their culture, language, and traditions. These initial clusters of Indian settlers create the nucleus of a Little India.
Necessity and opportunity both paved the way for these Indian immigrants to establish businesses catering to their own community’s needs, such as grocery stores, restaurants, clothing boutiques, and jewellery shops.
Additionally, their urge to preserve the Indian traditions and customs and pass them on to next generations led to the establishment of cultural institutions, places of worship, and community centres within these enclaves. They sometimes have temples and gurdwaras too. Theatres here play the latest Bollywood movies.
The sense of unity and belonging among Indian immigrants encourage the newcomers to find support, guidance, and a sense of home away from home. These neighbourhoods make the process of integration into a new society smoother and easier.
As these enclaves grow in prominence, they often become tourist attractions, drawing visitors who want to experience Indian culture and cuisine. Governments and local authorities may also recognise and support these areas as cultural landmarks.
Over the past few centuries and into recent times, Indians have migrated to various countries. As their population steadily grows, mini Indias are emerging in cities worldwide. Many capital cities around the world have their own pockets of Indian population – a strong reason why Little Indias often find their way onto the itineraries of travellers exploring the cities where they thrive.
Madrid in Spain has a beautiful settlement of Indians. Made of a paltry Indian population, be assured you will rub shoulders with Indian language speakers. The streets of Surrey and Punjabi market in Vancouver, British Colombia are lined with restaurants serving a wide range of Indian cuisines.
Head to Frankfurt, you will find Little India restaurant in Glauburgstrasse. The food has been consistently great with a variety of choices. In London it is Southall, a very popular place for Indian curry in the UK's capital.
Little India in Singapore is a feast for the senses, where tradition and novel experiences intermingle in an intoxicating blend. With a fascinating past that stretches back to the 19th century, it is as if with a flick of a wand you enter a magical block in India’s Mumbai that had transplanted itself in Singapore.
Latest to join this long list of Little Indias in the world is Harris Park, a suburb in Sydney. It is a hub for Indian cuisines and Indian-owned businesses and shops.
In May 2023 it was officially renamed Little India by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart, symbolising the strong bond between the two nations and promoting cross-cultural exchanges. They jointly unveiled a plaque renaming Harris Park as Little India.
This small precinct in the suburb’s commercial area was renamed Little India following requests from the local community. The act not only cemented the bond between the two nations but also highlighted the cultural bridge that Little India will serve as, connecting the Indian diaspora in Australia with their roots and fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
A careful study of Harris Park’s geography reveals that three streets – Marion Street, Wigram Street, and Station Street – have an Indian population comprising 45 percent of their residents. The City of Parramatta Council in Sydney’s west has promoted these three streets of Harris Park as Little India.
The shift from the name Harris Park to Little India is a noteworthy transition.
The name Harris Park comes from John Harris, a medical officer, who was granted 100 acres of land in Parramatta in 1793. Throughout the 19th century, Harris Park’s landscape was primarily characterised by extensive land holdings used for orchards and diverse farming, including horse and cattle breeding. The majority of housing in Harris Park emerged between 1910 and 1930, featuring substantial residences in the southern region and more modest weatherboard houses in the north.
Post-World War II, Harris Park saw demographic shifts as non-UK immigrants trickled in, with Indians topping the list. From just over 2,400 Indian immigrants in 1996, the number surged to 7,000 in 2006 and exceeded 13,000 in 2016. Harris Park, reflecting this trend, earned the moniker Little India with over 46 percent of its 2016 census population of 5,800 hailing from India, primarily from the Gujarat region.
Naming the area as Little India works to the advantage of tourism around the place. It has placed Harris Park in the tourist map of Destination NSW. Increase in footfall here would benefit local businesses.
So, you might be wondering, what sets these three streets apart besides their vibrant Indian population?
These three streets are not just home to a large Indian community but are also well-established unique destinations for Indian cuisine and Indian-owned businesses.
Wigram Street’s centre alone boasts over 20 eateries and shops that will transport you straight to Mumbai. Indulge in the diverse flavours of the Indian subcontinent at restaurants, cafes, and takeout joints, all accompanied by an energetic soundtrack of Bollywood hits.
There’s something to satisfy a variety of taste buds. Billu’s Indian Eatery and Dosa Hut are ideal choices for South Indian cuisine, while Ginger Indian specialises in Northern specialties. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss Chatkazz and Rocket Kulfi for traditional Indian sweets. You will have a plethora of options for authentic spices, paan, jasmine braids, beautiful arm bangles, colourful saris and high fashion Indian clothes to bring a piece of India home with you.
Who wouldn’t relish the opportunity to hear their mother tongue or savour the taste of home in a foreign land? If you ever find yourself in Sydney, this youngest Little India is a must-visit destination to experience the richness of Indian culture, cuisine, and community.