Not all South Indians are Rajinikant fans. No, South Indians do not drink coconut water instead of normal drinking water. And also not all South Indians you meet are Madrasi or Iyers. Yes, you read them all right! If you are a South Indian, I am sure you will relate to the frustration felt when people casually assume such things. They do not even try to understand the fact that there is a difference between South Indians hailing from various states and that not all are Madrasis. Well, I am done, and this is probably my last try to debunk these assumptions and stereotypes!
For Once and For All: Not All South Indians
I am a South Indian, rather, my mother is, which makes me half South Indian. But every time I tell people this, their first reaction is “So, you are Madrasi?” I try to calmly answer, “No, I am from Tulunadu, I am a Tuluva from Mangalore,” and their instant reply is, “Ha vahi re, sab same hi hota hai.” And in that moment, only I know how tough it is not to punch them.
The next irritating thing is the fact that after somehow explaining to them that I belong to Udupi in Mangalore, their first question is, “Aren’t you a Shetty? You must own a restaurant in Udupi, right?” I mean, that is so not necessary! If I am from Tulunadu or from Udupi does not mean I am a Shetty; there are many other surnames like Poojary, Moily, Karkera, Devadigas, and more. And we are also into other occupations like Finance, Media, IT, and others, instead of just being a restaurateur.
Rajnikanth, known as one of the greatest actors of all time, is worshipped in the Tamil industry. Though he has fans from across the globe, not every other South Indian is his mad lover. And yes, many of us hate the hindi dubbed south Indian films that are played day and night on cable television. Yes, we do exist!
Unbelievable Assumptions!
The other day, a friend of mine asked me how many coconut trees I own, and when I said none, the person thought I was being arrogant. I mean, is it again necessary? South Indian girls must have long hair, while South Indian boys must get into the restaurant business. Isn’t that a personal choice?
Some weird assumptions include that South Indians trade in coconuts even today. South Indians drink coconut water every day and have replaced normal drinking water with it. They think south Indian languages are all the same, “Andu Gundu,” and all of their written language looks like jalebis on the plate. And moreover, they think we eat idli, dosa and medu wada everyday for breakfast!
They also think that the whole of South India only has temples for people to visit in the name of tourism. But that is so not true! South India is filled with some of the most amazing architectural marvels, pristine beaches, trekking trails, and lovely backwaters, too. Be it Udupi or Kerala, all the South Indian destinations have something for everyone.
Clearing The Air!
South India encompasses five states: Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu: Home to Tamils, Tamil language, ancient Dravidian architecture like Madurai temples, Pongal.
- Kerala: Home to Malayalis, Malayalam language, backwaters, Onam celebrations
- Karnataka: Kannadigas, Kannada language, Mysore silk, and the Ugadi festival.
- Andhra Pradesh & Telangana: Telugus, speaking Telugu, Tirupati temple, Sankranti
Summing Up
These stereotypes need to end! People need to understand that not all South Indians are Tamilian and not all of them have a restaurant business. So, the next time you meet someone who is South Indian, know that you must listen, understand, and respect their culture rather than stereotyping them with your half-knowledge.
