My Father, the Pakistani Elvis: A Tale of Identity and Assimilation

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, became the American epitome of charisma, rebellion, and sex appeal—an icon adored by fans worldwide, including a man from Karachi, Pakistan, named Airaj Jilani. With sequined capes and swiveling hips, Jilani, a retired oil-and-gas project manager in suburban Houston, embraced the essence of Elvis, becoming an impersonator who infused his performances with the fervor only a true fan could possess.

An American Dream Embodied

Jilani's journey as an Elvis enthusiast began in Pakistan and continued across oceans, as he moved to the United States in 1979. In Texas, among fellow South Asian expatriates who felt their identity was not always welcome, Jilani adopted an American persona, complete with cowboy boots and a Southern drawl. His passion for Elvis not only connected him to the American culture he admired but also brought him local fame, performing for various audiences from office parties to international venues.

Cultural Roots and Personal Identity

Despite his embrace of American culture, Jilani's link to his heritage remained complex. He actively discouraged his household from engaging with their Pakistani roots, forbidding languages other than English and deeming traditional customs, like the hijab, incomprehensible. However, his children found their own ways of reconnecting with their ethnicity, from covertly learning Urdu to pursuing careers that took them back to the regions their parents once left.

Bridging Two Worlds

The author of the article reflects on their own experiences as a pediatrician and aid worker, drawing parallels between their father's migration journey and the lives of refugees they've encountered on rescue boats off Libya's coast. These experiences serve to illustrate a poignant juxtaposition between Jilani's pursuit of the American dream and his children's exploration of their cultural identity, painting a picture of an immigrant family's ongoing narrative of assimilation and belonging.

identity, assimilation, culture