Madras Bashai helps global Tamilians connect to Chennai

Given that it was the capital of the Madras Presidency, Madras was always home to communities that spoke different languages. While Tamil was the predominant language, Telugus, Marwaris, and Muslims were a considerable part of the population, in addition to the British, in the olden days. And the working class members, who were a bridge between these communities, began to borrow words from the languages that these communities spoke, and thus the Madras Bashai evolved over three centuries.
Actor Bosskey, who wrote a column on the language for a vernacular magazine, says, “Madras Tamizh has become quite normal these days. Words like mamu, machi, dhoda are all from Madras Bashai. One of the unique aspects of Madras Bashai is how it shortens a word or its pronunciation. For example, vandhutten becomes vanten. It’s not wrong, but a matter of convenience.”
Bosskey feels that films have helped the slang spread to an extent, although it is not part of day-to-day conversations beyond Chengalpet. “Actors Chandrababu, Thengai Srinivasan and Cho were very crucial in popularising this language. We had actors like Loose Mohan taking that forward. As for songs, it all started with the popular song Vaa Vaathyaare Oottaanda,” he says.
Ku Karthik, who wrote the chartbuster Guleba, and has been an associate of popular gana singer Marana Gana Viji, says, “In films like Vada Chennai and Meyaadha Maan, the songs were essential because the films were set in distinctive Madras localities. They help capture the life of people.” He says these songs have helped the language become familiar “not just across Tamil Nadu, but even internationally”. “There were reports that an African queen loved Aaluma Doluma. Though people beyond Chennai might not know the meaning of the words, it is still a good thing as the language helps people, especially migrants, connect.”