Desi

Desi (or Deshi; or [ˈd̪eːʃi], Hindi: देसी, Urdu: دیسی, Punjabi: ਦੇਸੀ, دیسی) is a word originally from Sanskrit literally meaning "from the country" or "of the country". In North America and Great Britain, desi is used colloquially to mean South Asian immigrants and their descendants. It is mainly used by those of South Asian origins themselves, rarely by the majority population, and carries a subtext of inclusiveness and unity. It allows South Asians to refer to their broader immigrant community, rather than requiring a specific, nationalistic label such as "Indian" or "Pakistani". As such, its connotations are positive, alluding to the shared values, bonds and experiences of descendants of the entire region.

This self-referential colloquialism was created in the United Kingdom during the early 1960s to late 1980s and, in the UK is sometimes pronounced "Dezi."

In this sense, it can include:

Within India, desi connotes "local" or "indigenous", as distinct from videshi or pardesi ("foreigner").

History

The term comes from Sanskrit देश ("region, province, country"). The word for country is "Des" or "Desh" in many languages in the Asian sub-continent. Desi thus means "of the homeland" in many languages of India, Pakistan, and other countries of the subcontinent.

During the heyday of the British Raj, many people from the then undivided Indian sub-continent emigrated to the UK or to other British colonies, in search of education and opportunity. The diaspora from what is now called South Asia increased dramatically following the riots and massacres of Partition. Families from the affected areas sought safety in various Commonwealth countries. Starting in the 1960s, the USA dramatically increased the amount of immigration permitted from Asia, leading to large immigration from the subcontinent.

Likewise with the split of the East Pakistan Wing from West Pakistan in 1971 needed a name by the Awami League and colloquially the Bengalis (both East and West Bengal, even before partition) had referred to their homeland as 'Bangla-desh' meaning the homeland of Bengalis. The National Assembly then adopted 'Bangla Desh' as the name for the country.

Communities that have remained distinct in South Asia have tended to mix in diaspora. Some second or third generation immigrants, but not all, do not think of themselves as belonging to a particular nation, sub-culture, or caste, but as just plain South Asians or Desis. Some Desis are creating what can be called a "fusion" culture, in which foods, fashions, music, and the like from many areas of South Asia are "fused" with elements from Western culture.

Food

In the U.S. and U.K., "Desi food" most often refers to dishes commonly served in the South Asian communities of the diaspora, especially westernised restaurant dishes such as chicken tikka masala.

It may also mean "native" or "traditional." Common examples are "desi ghee," which is the traditional clarified butter of the Asian subcontinent, as opposed to more processed fats such as vegetable oils. "Desi chicken" may mean a native breed of chicken. Heritage varieties of vegetables and other produce can also be qualified as "desi."

The dish chicken tikka masala is also said to be invented by a Bangladeshi chef in East London after a customer asked for gravy with his chicken tikka.

Notable Desis

The diasporic Desi community are fluent in English and include numerous persons of note (alphabetical by last name within categories):

Writers

Artists

Faris McReynolds (Painter)

Musicians

Sameer Bhattacharya
Tony Kanal
MIA
MOBONIX
Boyan Chowdhury former member of The Zutons
Nivla (Punjabi rapper)

Actors

Directors

Miscellaneous

Rajan Zed (religious leader)

External links

Health Diet and Fitness Website for Desi, Health Diet and Fitness Website for Desi
Preserving Desi Culture, An online publication dedicated to preserving desi culture