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Truly Tamil?
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Tamils of today are world citizens, adapting language, attire and even tradition to suit changing times. But, on the other hand, it takes just a small spark to ignite a fiery protest against the `assault on Tamil culture.'
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THE RECENT removal of the Kannagi statue on the Marina has turned the spotlight on the assault on Tamil culture. And set me thinking on the lines of "How Tamil are the Tamils these days"?
"When in Rome do as the Romans do," goes the old adage. The Tamils, in Chennai and elsewhere too, seem to have embraced Roman customs in a big way. Consider this — On January 1 which is New year for the Romans, the number of Tamils thronging temples and praying for a prosperous year and sending cards to friends and relatives far outnumbers the devotees offering prayers and exchanging greetings and good wishes on Tamil New Year which falls on April 14.
When it comes to clothes — pavadai chattai , dhavanis , dhotis and sarees have all become attire that is reserved for special occasions. Many Tamils like to lounge around in Bermuda shorts, T shirts, jeans, house coats, kaftans and lungis at home and settle for trousers, shirts, salwar kurtas, dresses and business suits while at work.
The names they choose for their children are Western /North Indian. So names like Rajesh, Navin , Anita, Sheela and the like have replaced Ganesan, Subramaniam, Easwaran, Ramachandran, Valli, Andal and Thayalnayaki.
The change is reflected glaringly in matters of the palate as well. Painstakingly rustle up a four-course meal of rice, sambar, rasam and poriyal and kids will tend to sulk and pick at their food. But just announce that they can order a pizza or paneer butter masala and parathas and you will be greeted with whoops of delight. The only concession is that die hard Tamils will still insist on ``Thayir sadam``(curd rice ) whether the preceding courses have been Continental, Chinese, North Indian or what have you. Others suffer deprival symptoms if denied their morning coffee or feel sleepy if not given the ``wake up" dose during the day.
What about the language we speak? With the educated younger generation, English is the language spoken at home and one that is picked up quite easily. Of course, the conversation is peppered with adjectives and words like "sariyana sambar''or ``bake'' or is it spelt ``beku" (for a duffer ), or words like ``chumma" and ``machan" for effect. Tamils who still speak Tamil can't help sprinkling their conversation with select English and Hindi phrases. My maid takes leave informing me she has ``washed'' the samaan (vessels), checked the ``fridge'' and soaked rice for ``naashta" while my driver complains that ``managing" his household budget has become a big "strain'' giving him constant ``tension" what with rising prices, not to forget the heavy ``traffic" and those who drive on the ``wrong side" and talk ``wrong".
So what's Tamil about the Tamils? Today's Tamil is a world citizen, cosmopolitan, forward looking and progressive — adapting readily to changing times. All of this has nothing to do with the statue in question, except that it inspired this literary attempt in English.
SUDHA UMASHANKER
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