50 Shades of Being a Mallu

First things first- I use the term ‘mallu’ merely as an abbreviation for the parent word malayalee. Understandably, most mallus are offended by the term, since it’s often used in the most contemptuous manner. I shall take a few deep breaths and save this debate for another day since there are more important aspects of being a mallu that need focus at the moment.

I am sure it’s not just me, but anyone who doesn’t look like the fake-dark, dejected girl in those horrendous advertisements for fairness creams, whom no one wants to marry or finds worthy of being an air hostess, has heard from non mallus around them – wow! You don’t look like a mallu at all! Now I, personally take that as an insult, is it my lack of long luscious hair? Or is it because I don’t have nice big eyes like Mohiniyattam dancers? If you happen to say it’s because I am too light skinned to be a Keralite, then God save you. Not just from me, but from your sheer ignorance. Just like it’s not uncommon to find a dusky skinned Punjabi amongst the milk complexioned sea of faces, or a person from the hills who is not rosy cheeked, it’s not uncommon, rather it’s quite common to find people of all shades everywhere in South India.  Please keep that in mind the next time you say anything like this, lest your ignorance cost you your teeth. Thank you.

All of us gorgeous Mallu girls in all shades, shapes and sizes, but the same happy smiles!