Why do many Keralites call Tamil people 'Pandis’?

Do
people consider this racist or derogatory? Where does it
come from?
Thursday, September 13, 2018 2:19 PM

Though not many, some Keralites call Tamil people as Pandi, obviously in a racist and
derogatory way. As many have already pointed out, the word ‘pandi’ originated from the
former Pandian kingdom.
This word might be a respectful way to address someone from the region during the days of
Pandian kingdom. But now it is not. Because if you use the same word to address a fellow
Malayalee it is offensive. But no offense for calling him “Saayippu”(Similar racist word to
address someone from west).
This is to do with general Indian mentality towards people of lower socio-enonomic strata.
Since the time when Kerala is ‘enlightened’ by Marxian ideas, working class is ‘empowered’ to
realize unity will bring the same wage with little hard work. The idea of working hard in your
home state and prosper became extinct. To fill the void of honest hard work, people from
Tamilnadu came to the state. Their wages were the least. But they became a viable alternative
to the demanding local workers. The old and respectful name to address them gradually
became a racially dividing one. People who say it is still respectful will not use this to address a
rich or upper class Tamil in front of them.
Though not many, some Keralites call Tamil people as Pandi, obviously in a racist and
derogatory way. As many have already pointed out, the word ‘pandi’ originated from the
former Pandian kingdom.

This word might be a respectful way to address someone from the region during the days of
Pandian kingdom. But now it is not. Because if you use the same word to address a fellow
Malayalee it is offensive. But no offense for calling him “Saayippu”(Similar racist word to
address someone from west).

This is to do with general Indian mentality towards people of lower socio-economic strata. Since
the time when Kerala is ‘enlightened’ by Marxian ideas, working class is ‘empowered’ to realize
unity will bring the same wage with little hard work. The idea of working hard in your home
state and prosper became extinct. To fill the void of honest hard work, people from Tamilnadu
came to the state. Their wages were the least. But they became a viable alternative to the
demanding local workers. The old and respectful name to address them gradually became a
racially dividing one. People who say it is still respectful will not use this to address a rich or
upper class Tamil in front of them.

There are so many ‘respectful’ words being used in Kerala and other parts of India to call
ethnically different people.

Gosayi- Used in some part of Kerala for north Indian

Bengali- Used in Kerala for North Indian workers.

Madirasi- Used in North India for anyone from south.

Malabari- Used in middle east for Malayalees(To some extent south Indians).

Pandi Page 1
Malabari- Used in middle east for Malayalees(To some extent south Indians).

State-kaar- Used in north Kerala for people from south Kerala.

Chettanmar- Used in north Kerala for south Kerala Christians.

Malayalathan- Used in Tamilnadu for Malayali.

There will be many other words used in several regions to call ethnically different people. These
words may have a lot of history behind it. Such as Pandian kingdom, Madras presidency, or the
Princely state Travancore or any such disappeared entity. But the problem is when the word is
not acceptable for the people being called. If it is meant to respect, respect others in the way
how they like to be respected.
There are so many ‘respectful’ words being used in Kerala and other parts of India to call
ethnically different people.
Gosayi- Used in some part of Kerala for north Indian
Bengali- Used in Kerala for North Indian workers.
Madirasi- Used in North India for anyone from south.
Malabari- Used in middle east for Malayalees(To some extent south Indians).
State-kaar- Used in north Kerala for people from south Kerala.
Chettanmar- Used in north Kerala for south Kerala Christians.
Malayalathan- Used in Tamilnadu for Malayali.
There will be many other words used in several regions to call ethnically different people. These
words may have a lot of history behind it. Such as Pandian kingdom, Madras presidency, or the
Princely state Travancore or any such disappeared entity. But the problem is when the word is
not acceptable for the people being called. If it is meant to respect, respect others in the way
how they like to be respected.

Pandi Page 2