hat is Dakshin? Is it a restaurant ? Or a city? Or does it mean three stripes-on-the-forehead?

A narrow definition in our National Anthem

Jana Gana Mana Adhinayaka Jaya He

Bharat Bhagya Vidhataa

Punjab Sindh Gujarat Maratha

Dravida Utkala Banga

Vindhya Himachal Yamuna Ganga

Uchchala Jaladhi Taranga

Taba Shubha Naame Jaage

Taba Shubha Ashisha Mange

Gaahe Taba Jaya Gatha

Jana Gana Mangaldayak Jaya He

Bharat Bhagya Vidhataa

Jaya He ! Jaya He ! Jaya He !

Jaya, Jaya, Jaya, Jaya He !

A stereotype in a popular patriotic song

Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon

Zara Aankh mein Bhar lo Paani

Jo Shaheed huen hai Unki

Zara Yaad Karo Qurbaani

Koi Sikh, Koi Jat, Maratha

Koi Gurkha, Koi Madraasi

Sarhad pe Marne wala

Haar Veer tha Bharat vaasi

Do we really understand what happens on the other side of the Vindhyas?



Why we did this study?

This project was born of official reasons, but was driven by personal interest. It was driven by a need to bury this stereotype and understand our distinct identity, our roots. We are of Dakshin origin but have moved from our beginnings - in the geographic and lifestyle sense. Having lived in Mumbai for years, we have become cosmopolitan! Sure, we have family in southern cities as reference points, we practice southern versions of religious ceremonies, and the smells from our kitchens are authentically Dakshin. But adjust that with the fact that we can't read or write in our mother tongue, and an argument appears on how sensitised we are to a significant part of our nation - both as individuals and more importantly, as strategic planners in the communications business.

The problem... more