We've seen food and cuisine used as a "visible" part of assimilation, most notably in What's Cooking, where each culture's cuisine and its American "translation" embodies the challenge of maintaining one's heritage yet still becoming part of a new nation. In Ramji we see food as part of the same equation (though the nation/culture Ramji joins is British rather than American of course). What's interesting, though, is how the film suggests that assimilation is ultimately not the goal--in either a personal nor culinary sense.
Notice that Ramji has to teach the cooks in Curry Corner how to properly prepare the dishes--and once he does business picks up, presumably as a result of his tastier fare. In other words, his cooking is more authentically Indian, not the watered down, Anglicized Indian food he finds being prepared when he arrives. Similarly, when he wins the contest (again through his superior cuisine) he doesn't use his success to solidify his entry into London, but to return home. We could take it even further in seeing Sameera's return with him to India. She's obviously been thoroughly assimilated (as her easy and thoroughly British English shows), though just as obviously her ability to speak Hindi suggests she hasn't lost touch with her heritage either. Initially, she doesn't even realize that return is possible, but her Grandmother knows it instantly--knows it is not only possible, but desirable. The message seems clear: one can only truly express and experience one's Indian identity in Mother India.
On a sidenote, notice Ramji and Sameera never kiss despite several opportunities. In fact, when they want to enrage Jai, who's trying to dupe them on the phone, Sameera kisses her arm rather than Ramji to trick Jai. Needless to say, kissing (or any open sexuality) is strictly verboten in Bollywood pictures. Hence, the need for dancing.
Notice that Ramji has to teach the cooks in Curry Corner how to properly prepare the dishes--and once he does business picks up, presumably as a result of his tastier fare. In other words, his cooking is more authentically Indian, not the watered down, Anglicized Indian food he finds being prepared when he arrives. Similarly, when he wins the contest (again through his superior cuisine) he doesn't use his success to solidify his entry into London, but to return home. We could take it even further in seeing Sameera's return with him to India. She's obviously been thoroughly assimilated (as her easy and thoroughly British English shows), though just as obviously her ability to speak Hindi suggests she hasn't lost touch with her heritage either. Initially, she doesn't even realize that return is possible, but her Grandmother knows it instantly--knows it is not only possible, but desirable. The message seems clear: one can only truly express and experience one's Indian identity in Mother India.
On a sidenote, notice Ramji and Sameera never kiss despite several opportunities. In fact, when they want to enrage Jai, who's trying to dupe them on the phone, Sameera kisses her arm rather than Ramji to trick Jai. Needless to say, kissing (or any open sexuality) is strictly verboten in Bollywood pictures. Hence, the need for dancing.
This is like Primo in BIg Night were he was not going to assimilate their food or their traditions just because he was in America. He was going to teach them how to enjoy real Italiano cuisine. However, in Big Night, it didn't work. But in Ramji Londonwaley it worked, it drew in more customers and attention.
ReplyDeleteI hadnt made those two comparisions before, but I really see it now and find it interesting. I think both of those charachters and their desire to do just that really define both films.
DeleteThat is also like the Nguyen family in "Whats Cooking", her mother and father did not change their style of cooking, even if they were living in America and celebrating Thanksgiving. They also would not assimilate their food or tradition. Where as her children would be happier with McDonalds or KFC.
ReplyDeleteI like this concept of assimilation and how we see this in America. From personal experience, I believe that Americans often prefer other cultures food but not in the true form like we see in these movies. For example, many of the Chinese dishes we have become favorable of are by a far stretch authentic Chinese food. Americans have come to love Panda Express, but when you talk to someone from China or with strong Chinese heritage, they would say that Panda is not a good representation of their culture.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a very valid point, Cory. What do we know about other authentic cultures? The ideas and views we are exposed to that leads us to an opinion of different cultures, are often not a fair representation of what the culture is actually like. To truly understand different cultures, one has to "experience" them. In that I mean, travel, meet people, ask them questions; explore the world. Unfortunately, most people's experience comes from TV, movies, and restaurants. So, how do we if something is authentic or assimilated?
DeleteThats a good questions. I think as times change, and technology advances, we will be able to better see "authentic" customs and traditions. I dont know that this will help present more authentic food, but will help spread the way we see other cultures.
DeleteThese are good points. We are shown these ideas of the proper, authentic, good way of cooking versus the way of the people who have not acquired the taste. This film shows that authentic is successful, while Big Night another shows this is not the case. Most audiences don't know authentic, so it's really a toss-up for these chefs. While both are believable, I think that, as pointed out, the Bollywood tradition maintains a sense of cultural identity through this kind of success abroad. There isn't much of a statement made on British food culture like Big Night makes between American and Italian or even much blending like in What's Cooking.
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