As a second generation Malayali who has been polished with the Mumbaite tag, life has been an avial (or call it mish-mash mix), so has been my persona. I did suffer from identity crisis, and at times coconut oil dripping from my hair on to my face kind of crisis. But then all that was like eating Payasam compared to the times when I had to wear mundu and couldn’t find a belt to grip the silk cloth to my anatomy.
Most of my malayali brethrens born and brought up in Mumbai empathise with me. But then I did know to speak the language. I also knew some Mallus (International slang for Malayalis) who did know to speak the language maybe better than Ezhuthachan himself, but felt it was classier to refuse or retort in a ‘Chinese’ accent “Enaki kuruchu kuruchu Malayalam ariyum”. I fail to understand their motive in doing so. I myself took time in understanding the importance of our rich culture and art forms. The credit for introducing me to Kerala art and cultural activities goes to Mr. Subash Menon.
Due to him I joined ‘Kerala Kala Samiti, where I realised that we have to keep our culture alive and active. There are a lot of reasons why the new generation is drifting from its rich cultural roots to so-called “greener pastures”, the advent of the internet and our brethrens exposure to the Gelf (like we pronounce it), the BPO culture and the choice of lamb and ham burgers over freshly baked nayyapappams
I feel, if we don’t act now and try to revive the dying art forms, it would be too late. Our future generation would be devoid of our heritage. Every one of us can contribute a little bit of our precious time to be of help and encourage new artistes and craftsmen. They say change starts from home. And what better place than here, what better people than us, And what better time(s) than now!
This article was published in the Kerala Kala Samithi Yearbook 2008