Desi

The ethnonym belongs in the endonymic category (i.e., it is a self-appellation). Desi (/ desī) is a Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu) word, meaning 'national', ultimately from Sanskrit ', derived from ' () 'region, province, country'. The first known usage of the Sanskrit word is found in the Natya Shastra (~200 BCE), where it defines the regional varieties of folk performing arts, as opposed to the classical, pan-Indian margi. Thus, '''' () refers to one's own country or homeland, while '''' () refers to another's country or a foreign land. ==Usage==

The word Desi is widely used by South Asians, as well those of the South Asian diaspora, to describe themselves; those of South Asian origin, especially Indians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, use the term "as a means of asserting or reclaiming a sense of pride" in being South Asian, "particularly in the face of racism, discrimination, and stigmatization" of minorities in various parts of the world. With regard to usage of the word Desi, Helen Kim writes: To this end, channels such as MTV Desi have recognized "the transnational nature of Desi youth culture, writers, producers, and VJs" and have shared "a range of topics relating to life in South Asia and the South Asian diaspora worldwide". "Desi" is sometimes perceived as offensive among some South Asian expatriates, as they claim that it erases the diversity of cultural identities within the South Asian community, and that it primarily identifies the dominant North Indian community while excluding other South Asian groups. Some resist the label, citing historical Indian imperialism and cultural hegemony. ==History==

The word "Desi" comes from the Sanskrit word "Desha" meaning "country". The word "Desi" is used to refer to something "from the country" and with time its usage shifted towards referring to people, cultures, and products of a specific region; for example, desi food, desi calendars, and desi dress. Desi contrasts with the Bengali and Hindustani language word wilāyati (Anglicised as "Blighty") meaning 'foreign', which more specifically came to mean 'European', and 'British'/'English' during the time of the British Raj in colonial India. The word is a loan of Indian Persian (), from () usually to mean 'Iran' and later 'Europe' or 'Britain'/'England', ultimately from Arabic meaning 'state, province'. After the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the United States dramatically increased immigration from the subcontinent. As increasing numbers of students from the subcontinent arrived in the US and UK (and other Anglophonic countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, etc.), their countries of origin were colloquially referred to as ''''. For example, all things Indian including Indian expatriates were referred to as "desi". ==Culture==

. calligraphy used to write Hindustani, which is widely spoken throughout the northern part of the Indian subcontinent as a lingua franca. Frank Anthony, an Anglo-Indian Christian leader who helped write the Constitution of India stated that unlike Europe, “[colonial] India had achieved a basic ethnic and cultural unity.” (The boundaries of colonial India include the modern-day republics of independent India, as well as what is now Pakistan and Bangladesh.) In the United States, as in other countries, some diaspora desis are creating a "fusion" culture, in which foods, fashions, music, and the like from many areas of South Asia are "fused" both with each other and with elements from Western culture. For example, Urban Desi is a genre of music formed by the fusion of traditional South Asian music and Western urban music. The growing demand of popular programming for South Asians caused MTV to launch the desi-targeted television channel MTV Desi. In the United Kingdom, desi communities have continued the fusion culture which first emerged during the 89 year rule of the British Raj in colonial India, influencing British music, art, fashion and food. There are now dedicated radio stations catering to British-South Asians such as the BBC Asian Network. In Canada, desis have established sizable ethnic enclaves in areas such as Brampton, Ontario (suburban Toronto) and Surrey, British Columbia (suburban Vancouver). Performing arts The Natya Shastra refers to the regional varieties of folk dance and music elements as desi, and states that these are meant as pure entertainment for common people, while the pan-Indian margi elements are to spiritually enlighten the audience. The medieval developments of the classical Indian dance and music led to the introduction of desi gharanas, in addition to the classical gharanas codified in Natya Shastra. The desi gharanas further developed into the present-day adavus. There is raga in Indian classical music known as "Desi". Food and drink In regions of South Asia, desi in the context of food, implies "native" or "traditional". For example, "Desi chicken" may refer to a native breed of chicken. This word is also usually restricted to Sanskrit-derived (Indo-Aryan) languages. Heritage varieties of vegetables and other produce can also be qualified as "desi". "Desi diet" refers to a diet and food choices followed by Indians around the world. Desi daru refers to "country liquor", such as fenny, toddy and arrack. It is differentiated from Indian-made foreign liquor such as Indian-made whisky, rum, or vodka. Desi pubs In the United Kingdom, the term Desi pub is used to describe a pub which is owned or managed by an Indian landlord, or which serves Punjabi food. They developed during the 1960s and 1970s at a time when some British pubs enforced color bars to prevent Indians and other immigrants from drinking there. Desi pubs are especially common in the Black Country and surrounding areas of the West Midlands. As well as drinking places, they also act as community hubs and meeting places for people from different backgrounds and are considered to be an example of successful integration of Indian immigrants into British culture. ==See also==