A segment on random TV show on Indian food: A 'typical' US return Madras brahmin woman said, "this is what all vegetarians get their protein from", pointing to milky white idlis (so they are not made of brown rice either). Of course, the rest of the family joined in to provide their insights on other benefits of eating idlis. The English speaking 70+ year old said, "this is where I get my facials", sticking her face into the idli cooker whose lid had just been opened. She seemed to feel proud of the complex bio-mechanics (and whatever else) involved in making idlis. Noting her remarkably timed humour, the other female members took turns in getting their 'facials'; just in case the probable white man holding the camera didn't get the joke. I guess that's how vegetarians beat something (already stale) to death.
PS. Shows like this -- that want to 'showcase' a 'typical' Indian family (especially in the South) -- almost always end up with a brahmin family. Be it Bangalore or Madras. Feel free to be amazed by this apparent 'coincidence'.
Edit - July 18, 2021:
I would look for this video every a few years as a pointless exercise (one of the many, I have to add). But I actually managed to find it this time. Watching it after over 10 years was as cringe worthy as it was the first time. It's the opposite of when people say they wish they could travel back in time and experience something for the first time again (first kiss, first seruppadi etc). The 'facial' moment, btw, is at 25:10.
I wish the author of the comment that I ended up removing upon their request would allow me to publish it.
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15 comments:
Do you have a link to the video? This on PBS?
After a point Strong Opinions become a prism through which you see the world and store observations.
Prasad,
I got into the program midway (where they talk about raagi roti). Watching the opening minutes made me happy that I didn't watch more earlier.
Here's the video: http://www.gourmet.com/diaryofafoodie/video/2008/01/201_india_preview (the idli part comes in around 22 minutes).
It was aired on WNED: http://www.wned.org/tv/schedule/Default.aspx; http://www.iptv.org/series.cfm/15399/gourmets_diary_foodie/ep:302
(yeah, I had to do quite a bit of searching to find the program.)
Bharath,
I don't know about 'prisms' and 'opinions' (other than the obvious, of course), but there sure seems to be a 'Sauron's Eye' watching out for certain words on the web, eliciting immediate response from you.
i just have you on my google reader. and pretty much comment on many of your posts.
note: i havent said i agree/disagree w/ anything you said. but noting a consistent pattern in what you choose to write about and using my own experiences to interpret it.
Thanks for the link Suresh.
*andha amma therinjavanga, summa problems create pannuvaanga. thanks, etc.*
I can't quite make out if this is satire or a genuine request.
sun tv la eppadi pa ivlo brahmin based characters /serials varuthu..'coincidence' aa ?
Bharath,
I figured that you have this blog’s feed in some form. Yes, we have had discussion about different stuff. But all our conversations in the recent past have had to do with my mention of Brahmins somewhere – in the post or in the comments.
I hope my interest in media – its composition, production and consumption (especially from a socio-political perspective) – is something you and other readers of this blog would be aware of. To that extent I am conscious of/troubled by the relatively overwhelming presence of Brahmins (who make it known) in Tamil television, theatre and music scene in Madras, print media etc., (you can add English bloggers to the list if you like). Just like if white people did in whatever.
So the pattern is not (just) in my observation.
Anon,
I didn’t know who she was. I thought she’s just some ‘random’ NRI until I landed in the web version of the video. Thanks for enlightening me about this woman in one paragraph. I don’t know if she’ll be thrilled to find her life history summed up in 100 words.
Would it be ok if I left your comment a little longer?
Leah Jaye : Namitha = aadu : maadu. There’s just a mammalian connection.
Prasad,
No problem. I can’t guess either.
why did u delete my comment Mr suresh
Anon's comment (who I had replied earlier) has been removed upon his/her asking (outside this blog).
/* To that extent I am conscious of/troubled by the relatively overwhelming presence of Brahmins (who make it known) in Tamil television, theatre and music scene in Madras, print media etc., (you can add English bloggers to the list if you like). */
below is completely anecdotal so don't get into the trip of askingfor data etc..
COincidence that when I was talking to a person interested in Small Scale industries and caste economics. I was telling him to be concerned about is overwhelming presence / brahmins dominating prostitution, surruttu kadai, saaraya kadai, mutton shop among other fantastic things.
Next time you go to TASMAC or buharis, you have to stand in line behind 10 maamas.
He said these are the same people who 'put' accent in TV.
i hate these paradesis who are showcasing brahmin brand on TV and putting accent etc as well. for you (who is interested in Media) the person works as a program director in Sun News. I say this since I talk regulary (and am friends w/) N people(they arent brahmins btw) working as "Program DIrectors" and whatnot in Sun TV, moon TV, J TV and Vijay TV - i suggest if you have the ineterest and also know such people you go and talk to them on that they are told when they draw up the next fiscal year's plans etc.. it will be a funny conversation. Talk to people in Sun TV as to why they think audience love the focus.
. I say this since I talk regulary.
Just came across this through some link. I say this because I haven't had a chance so far to read all your posts. So this comment is a response only to this post and the accompanying post.
/* To that extent I am conscious of/troubled by the relatively overwhelming presence of Brahmins (who make it known) in Tamil television, theatre and music scene in Madras, print media etc., (you can add English bloggers to the list if you like). */
Does the overwhelming absence of Brahmins in cinema, sports and politics trouble you as well?
Oops, I'm outnumbered by you-know-who already. I'll back off. (Just kidding, but no coincidence.)
But before I go: are you really this stupid? Or just pretending to be? Even Bharath (hawkeye) won't be kind to your question.
"To that extent I am conscious of/troubled by the relatively overwhelming presence of Brahmins (who make it known) in Tamil television, theatre and music scene in Madras, print media etc., (you can add English bloggers to the list if you like)."
i absolutely share your concern/ anxiety. this is a very important issue that begs to be understood better. i know you have talked about this in bits and pieces in various posts and comments, but it would be great if you would be kind enough to compile your various thoughts cohesively in a separate post. that i believe would be a starting point for a meaningful effort to comprehend this cleave.
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