#paris laxmi

Madamma is a term that originated from British India times so of course it has colonial undertones. It combines the English word madam and the Malayalam word അമ്മ - amma. It was used respectfully and submissively to refer to foreign white women.

Nowadays, it is sometimes used disparagingly in reference to someone who displays one or more 'characteristics' of a white/foreign woman: fair skin, brilliant English oratory skills, terrible pronunciation of mothertongue, modern sensibilities, highly fashionable, etc.

Paris Laxmi, the French danseuse who is best known for her role in Bangalore Days, recently said this in an interview with Times of India:

‘People tell me 'madamma’ is a combination of madam and അമ്മ - amma, that it’s a positive term. But it’s not! It was coined when the English colonised the country, when Indians were slaves to them. Why are people still using the term? When people do it, they are demeaning themselves more than me. Say 'foreigner’ instead, or 'French’. I think people would stop using the term if they knew the actual meaning.’

#towatchlist

she’s in mal cinema because bharatanatyam dancers in kerala get more attention if they have some film connections, which makes sense. but she has one single expression so i’m kind of curious how good of a dancer she is.