Being a TamBrahm in Delhi in the ’80s
Being a TamBrahm in Delhi in the ’80s A survival guide nobody asked for Growing up TamBrahm in Delhi in the 1980s meant living in two completely different countries. Outside the house: paranthas, chole bhature, Hindi movies, DTC buses and temperatures ranging from “why am I melting?” to “why am I wearing three sweaters?” Inside the house: sambar, rasam, filter coffee, Carnatic music and an endless supply of relatives. Somehow, both were home. The Delhi winter Delhi winter was particularly confusing. Your mother would look outside, see fog, and immediately announce: “Wear your sweater.” You: “But I'm not cold.” Mother: “Wear your sweater.” You wore the sweater. This was less a conversation and more a constitutional requirement. Meanwhile, she was happily making the next three course meal as if South India had never heard of weather. Tamil at home. Hindi everywhere else. At school, you spoke Hindi. With friends, you spoke Hindi. At home, Tamil. And when your...