This comedian explains why Tamilians don't speak Hindi (even if they know it)
- Aravind SA, a stand up comedian from Tamil Nadu, spoke about the misrepresentation of Tamilians in the rest of India.
- This is reflected in Bollywood too and especially in Lungi Dance which doesn't do justice to Tamil, Kollywood or Tamilians.
- The song confuses Rajinikanth with Raj Kiran and coconuts and lassi with Tamil Nadu's cuisine.
- It isn't a surprise then that Tamilians feel disrespected by how they are perceived.
FollowTamilians are proud of their heritage, culture and their wide knowledge of current affairs. Some of them can even speak two or three languages but even if Hindi is one of them, it will never be spoken. At least in conversation with a North Indian. Why? Well, simply because Tamilians have had enough with all the unfair stereotypes levelled at them. And they're tired of watching the 'madrasi' tag attached to everything that's emerged from South India. In short, they won't speak Hindi until North Indians learn their culture, their actors and their cuisine.
In fact, ever since Deepika Padukone and Shah Rukh Khan danced the Lungi Dance, one question has been on every Tamilian's mind. They've often wondered about the theme of the song. At different points in their life, they've asked if the lungi is native to Tamil Nadu; if the song is a tribute to Rajinikanth or to his fans? And finally, they've also dedicated some time to this doubt: why does a coconut feature in a railway station set? Anyone who has been at Chennai Central would say that vada, dosa, soft drinks and magazines are what you get there.
Stand up comedian Aravind SA, who is aware of this mistake in the video, pointed out many other logical flaws in the Chennai Express hit song. The Chennai native explained what it means to be a Tamilian and why North Indians get it wrong so often. He put forth his insightful observations in his performance titled, “The Real Meaning of Lungi Dance”
Aravind said Tamilians have to deal with unfair stereotypes that are repeated in Bollywood movies. For instance, there’s nothing about Chennai in Chennai Express and Rajinikanth doesn’t have a moustache big enough to twirl it. "They have confused Rajinikanth with Raj Kiran okay," he said,
Aravind then proceeded to conduct a general knowledge class for his audience and asked which Indian state is famous for coconuts and lassi. Of course the answer is Kerala and Punjab. And at that point, Aravind and his audience were trying to see where Tamil Nadu fits into the equation.
Aravind’s stand up piece also addresses the difference between North and South Indians. He said he’s always amused whenever his friends eat at a South Indian wedding and especially if they confuse if for paan. "Big meetha paan for you, Thousands of people have come to the wedding to fold the banana leaf and put it in your mouth and go," he added.
To be honest, Aravind’s stand up piece finally addresses what’s been on Tamilians’ mind for a long time and thankfully, someone's said it.
