Bengali vs. Madrasi — What's the Difference?

Bengali pertains to the people, language, and culture originating from the Bengal region, which encompasses parts of present-day Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. On the other hand, Madrasi is a term historically used to refer to individuals from the Madras region in India, now known as Chennai and its surrounding areas in the state of Tamil Nadu, but has often been inaccurately and dismissively applied to all South Indians.

The Bengali language, an Indo-Aryan language, is the primary language spoken by the Bengali people and serves as a significant aspect of their cultural identity. In contrast, the term Madrasi does not relate to a specific language; South India is linguistically diverse, with major languages including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, none of which is called Madrasi.

Culturally, Bengalis are known for their rich heritage in literature, art, music, and cuisine, with the Durga Puja festival being one of their most significant and widely celebrated events. Conversely, the cultural practices associated with the term Madrasi reflect the broad and rich traditions of South India, including various classical dance forms, music, and festivals, but using the term Madrasi to describe these diminishes the distinct cultures of the region's diverse communities.

In terms of cuisine, Bengali food is characterized by its use of fish, rice, and lentils, with mustard oil and panch phoron (five-spice blend) being distinctive flavor components. The cuisine often referred to by the term Madrasi, more accurately South Indian cuisine, includes a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, known for its use of rice, lentils, coconut, and a range of spices, featuring dishes like dosa, idli, and sambhar.

The term Madrasi has been criticized for its generalizing and pejorative implications, failing to respect the cultural and linguistic diversity of South India. In contrast, Bengali is a term of pride and identity, celebrating the unique culture and language of the Bengal region. The movement away from using broad, inaccurate terms reflects a growing awareness and respect for the rich tapestry of India's regional identities.