A casual observation in Tamil Nadu will show that most men in Tamil Nadu have moustache. Of course there is no official statistics for this but it is hard to miss. Similarly, many Malaysian Indian men have moustache. Most Malaysian Indians are Tamils. Which may explain the similarity.
This week I watched Veera Pandiya Katta Bomman. I think many would disagree that, that movie is a classic. I am not sure how much of the movie is based on historical facts but it is a movie that most Tamil movies fans would know. I often think that even if the real Katta Bomman appears, people would say that Shivaji is Katta Bomman. Many would identify dialogues in that movie and of course the scene where Katta Bomman talks to the British Dorai. This is the scene where he refers to his moustache.
I am not sure if it is because of Katta Bomman, but in Tamil culture, moustache has been identified as a symbol of bravery. Bravery in man is highly valued in Tamil culture, hence moustache has a big significance among Tamil. At least that is what I think. When I go back to my parents' native place, I often see man with big, I mean really big moustache. Often these people are nicknamed 'misai' which is the Tamil word for moustache.
Recently I did some research in Chennai about beauty standards for man and woman. The findings were very interesting and I will keep that story for another day.
This week I watched Veera Pandiya Katta Bomman. I think many would disagree that, that movie is a classic. I am not sure how much of the movie is based on historical facts but it is a movie that most Tamil movies fans would know. I often think that even if the real Katta Bomman appears, people would say that Shivaji is Katta Bomman. Many would identify dialogues in that movie and of course the scene where Katta Bomman talks to the British Dorai. This is the scene where he refers to his moustache.
I am not sure if it is because of Katta Bomman, but in Tamil culture, moustache has been identified as a symbol of bravery. Bravery in man is highly valued in Tamil culture, hence moustache has a big significance among Tamil. At least that is what I think. When I go back to my parents' native place, I often see man with big, I mean really big moustache. Often these people are nicknamed 'misai' which is the Tamil word for moustache.
Recently I did some research in Chennai about beauty standards for man and woman. The findings were very interesting and I will keep that story for another day.
