Because I speak two languages

We are superficial when viewing culture as a term and its meaning. Any culture is deep. It is complicated, with several layers.

The cultural background of a people speaking a particular language is determined by factors such as media and politics. (Illustration: C R Sasikumar)

Written by Sukumaran

I have always heard people say: “Today Tamil and Malayalam could practically be different languages, but there was once a golden period when they were one. The cultures evolving from both the languages were the same. We are children of the same mother.”

I have seen Malayalis admitting it with a sense of dissatisfaction and Tamils embracing it with a sense of pride. I have been living in this cultural space involving both languages for over six decades now. The opinion of Tamils on Malayalis and vice-versa has always been superficial. The mainstream media — especially cinema and politicians — is responsible for this. In Malayalam cinema, Tamils are almost always portrayed as idiots, cultureless or subjects of ridicule. Tamil cinema does no better. Malayali women are shown as exhibiting lascivious gestures. A Tamil cinema song says how women with “large hearts” can safely be assumed as those from Kerala.

The cultural background of a people speaking a particular language is determined by factors such as media and politics. The solution to a crisis like Mullaiperiyar (the dam dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu) is achievable, considering the technological advancements and the space for dialogue. Yet, politicians want to prolong it for the sake of politics. For that, the other culture is conceived as an enemy culture.