WACO, Texas (FOX 44) – The month of May is Asian-American Heritage Month, and FOX 44 is bringing attention to a smaller demographic that does not always get a lot of attention.

Rajesh Solanki is an Indian-American in Waco who is embracing his culture through art and sharing it with the world in a colorful way.

“My big question is always like, ‘Where are the Indians?’,” asks Rajesh.

Rajesh is raising concerns about how Indian-Americans are depicted in the media.   

“If there’s not a good representation…,” Rajesh explains. “You can see on ‘The Simpsons’ for example, where there’s a stereotype of an Indian character in that show.”

Apu is the convenience store owner on FOX’s long-running television show “The Simpsons,” who has an accent and displays clownish behavior. And though it can be charming and funny, it could be doing more harm than good.  

“This is not accurate to our experiences. Not accurate to who we are,” Rajesh says.

Now, Rajesh, born and raised in Texas is a comic artist himself.

“I want to tell stories that reflect my culture. I want to tell stories that I would have wanted as a kid,” Rajesh says.

His first printed comic book, “Ravana’s Relics,” is an adventure-fantasy rich in culture based on a demon in ancient Hindu mythology. It has well-thought-out Indian characters—

“Two kids, Krish and Priya, come across that power first. They are trying to use the power to stop him. And it comes into a big clash,” Rajesh explains.

—and plenty of nods to his heritage.

As he sketches, he points out…

“This whole like outfit would be a sari, which is kind of like a traditional Indian dress,” Rajesh explains.

He also ensures his work is not just for Indian-Americans.

“I think it’s really important for like, white Americans, to be able to see and experience other things,” says Brandi Solanki, Rajesh’s wife.

Brandi has been Rajesh’s biggest cheerleader from the very beginning.

“Throughout our dating, he would draw things for me,” Brandi shares. “And I was like, ‘You’re really, really good at this. Have you ever thought about doing something like that?’”

Because of Brandi’s encouragement, readers can now dive into a new world.

“There’s so much joy…whether that through colors through their celebrations,” Brandi says.

One can even get a taste of the culture.

“This last chapter had a recipe,” Rajesh shares.

But there’s a reason he’s gone all-in on stories centered around South Asians.

“Me and my siblings…there’s a loss of culture. We don’t speak the language as well as they do. We don’t participate necessarily in all of the traditional ceremonies,“ Rajesh says.

His parents immigrating to America to chase a better life also came with a price.

“My dad came here, and he says, with $150,” Rajesh says.

So, creating these stories has become a way for Rajesh to re-connect with his roots and pay tribute to his parents along the way.

“I don’t know if I’ve actually expressed to them that they’re being represented in the story,” Rajesh says. “I think they will, hopefully, be touched and appreciate that.”

Ironically, Rajesh’s father does have similarities to Apu. His father is also a convenience store owner.

“His first job in the states was at at a 7-Eleven. Now he owns a very successful 7-Eleven,” Rajesh says.

But Rajesh, and other Indian-Americans, represent far more.

“You see this picture of us in media…” Rajesh says. “Here is a month where you can see us for who we truly are. We can represent ourselves. We can tell you who we are.”

To find out more about Raj and to download a free copy of his comic book, you can head over to www.rajsolankiart.com.