Are Anglo-Indians stuck up? A controversial view - Cliff D'Vaz, Walthamstow London.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- This documentary features Anglo-Indians living in London, exploring the lives, culture and opinions of this unique community. By viewing Anglo-Indian culture through the micro-historical lens of family history, we hope uncover some of what it is to be Anglo-Indian.
This episode features the life of Clifford D'Vaz of Walthamstow London.
Got a question or comment? This is the first of a series of interviews with Anglo-Indians in London. If you have a question to ask Anglo-Indians or and idea for a topic to cover, please put it in the comments below.
This film was made entirely by our female camera team and editors at Little Red Hen Films, staying true to our efforts to empower female filmmakers, female cinematographers & women directors.
Music Licenses: We have the licenses to use all the songs featured in this film.
Honest, blunt, funny, poignant. Thank you Mr D’Vaz, for a brilliant and touching tribute to your heritage. I am a Hindu by the way, with a White English Mother and an Indian father, I was born here but my older sister wasn’t. We have never called ourselves Anglo-Indians, and eve but do not considers ourselves Anglos. My Bengali father who is now 93, supported independence for India, though he hated the act of partition. As children my siblings and I were exposed to Christianity but none of us followed that path, all of us are Hindus, though with my brother it is in name only. These series of short films about the former children of the Raj have been brilliant, and are really appreciated. Respect. 🇬🇧🇳🇪
thank you so much for watching. Glad you enjoyed it. :)
🇮🇳 this is the correct flag
Anglo Indians are those come down the family of females whose children were born off British fathers. You with an Indian father and an English mother will not be categorized as Anglo Indian. Thats the lineage of Anglo Indians. Their culture was more like the British. They were neither there nor here type. Their community did not mingle much with the locals though the first two generations were here working for their living. Females were mostly kindergarden teachers (our school had them) and males mostly served in the railways as guards and drivers (train).
Slowly the younger generation began migrating to England and Australia. In those days the Anglo Indian females used to wear only frocks like the British women. But these days you dont find those living here in India wearing frocks. So, its not easy to spot them.
I’m glad he admits they were stuck up having worked with them I once asked one if she watched bollywood films she looked at me in disgust and said she was Anglo Indian .
Sad thing was she had a heavy indian accent and I was second generation North Indian in Uk.
In America, they would think he was half black and half white. Handsome dude
I haven't yet seen a mixed person like him tho in America.
I’m proud to be Anglo a Indian but never felt superior but confused as was neither English nor Indian.
Same
I'm an anglo and I feel you ! Neither English nor Indian.
same only just found out there was a thing called anglo indian
Anglo Australian here immigrant from the UK... Me too ask myself - indian or english?
same here
I'm a youg anglo aged 25,i often tell my fellow brethren and younger folks that although your anglo your still Indian, so why not embrace the other side too? By doing so we gain a lot and move up the social and professional ladder too
Pretty honest lad... by the way I'm Anglo Indian... lololol and im 40 years of age.. living in Putney. I was told never to forget my roots..
🙏 Great interview and interesting insights into the AI community, from his perspective!
Appreciate that different generations may see and feel differently.
My family come from a Christian background in India and had a few Anglo-Indian friends. I never saw them as that different, though some had their quirks in the way they spoke or dressed.
Always very sweet and lively. It's too bad the community in the Subcontinent has dwindled due to migration.
Similar to the Parsi community, Anglo-Indians have added to the diversity in India and should be celebrated! 👍😊
Great video 👍 you are spot on with your description and explanation of the Anglo Indian culture,which has brougt back fond memories of my childhood. Although I was born in the UK I still went to anglo indian dances at Brent Town Hall and slot of functions in South East London. We also used to have huge family gatherings on a weekly basis. My parents would cook(and still do)ball curry, jalfrezi,dhal and pepper water. My mother would listen to Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves and my father would listen to reggae music. I'm now in my 40's and still love going to my father's on a Sunday for ball curry and rice rather than a roast dinner! It's funny because I never wanted to eat anglo dishes as a child,but cannot get enough as an adult. I also want to find out more about my Heritage hence why I found your video Clifford.🙂👍
Thanks
Brilliant film, hope you do more like this
Thank you! Glad you like it. We are filming more so please subscribe to see future episodes. :)
Omg how fantastic, I haven’t seen images of your family in decades. You articulated the experience of the Anglo Indians very well Clifford which we all know is the same worldwide. Love to the family, esp Aunty Norma! and thanks once again. XX
Great video my dad is Anglo Indian , he came to England in the 60s and married a white English lady.
I’ve always struggled with my own identity, it’s nice to hear your stories .
My dad didn’t like to talk about his Indian side , just about big house’s, servants, cooks, he’s very proud to talk about the good things but not any of the fine details of life living in Pakistan.
I can relate brother
I can so relate to this too, my mum is Anglo Indian, born in India and her family were a real mix. She always denied she was Indian having been told she was British/Portuguese. Having done my family tree and dna I have since found I have 20% Indian dna and of course she will be even higher (my dad was English). She also talked of the big house and servants etc. I feel really proud to know I have Indian blood :-)
Lol some up perfectly
Hey Cliff, Glenn here. Just seen this and think it's fantastic. Miss you and the family. Hope all is well.....take care and hopefully we can meet up soon.
Very well said. I experienced and have the same views about some of my Anglo Indian family in London. Music, food, family & laughter our wonderful key attributes but growing up I was shocked at the prejudice I got from my dad about my Indians friends (negative towards boys, positive towards girls)- my British mum quietly supported me through that and as an adult I started to appreciate his upbringing in India and his complex feelings regarding identity and history. I am so proud of my mixed heritage & the cultural fusion of my upbringing. Loving these films thank you
Loved the honesty, tell it like it is my big brother, yes I am an AI residing in London and I feel the need to share this with you - Recently, my youngest son (Valentino 14) asked me - Daddy, where exactly do I come from? Mum is Italian, you are Anglo-Indian born & raised in Cal (India) I am born & raised in London, so what exactly does that make me (WOW)! I paused for a few seconds, trying to appreciate, analyse and decipher the question in my mind and this is what I said - Valentino, let me tell you son, there have been numerous occasions where I have pondered this very question and the essence is in belonging. Son you are blessed, you represent & belong to the most special and beautiful race on our planet and that my son is the Humanrace.
Valentino, responds - Dad, I now understand what you are saying and I am the son of the people & I represent humanity (WOW).
I said - Valentino, Daddy is so proud of you and you definitely are your father's son (ha ha). I go on to say Valentino - I want you to know the imperative of being humble, being content, being compassionate & above all being kind, if you master these 4 elements you will become a giant among men and once you change the way you see things, things you see inevitable change (perception & interpretation of such).
I hope you don't mind me sharing an intimate conversation between Father & Son. Thank you and all the best - Your AI son & sunshine always.
That's lovely. :)
Four elements,you are spot on.God bless.
You described my family to a tee! Moved from India in 1960's to Tooting, my mum was one of 9 children. It was very much emphasised by my grandparents that we were Anglo Indian, not Indian. I do actually refer to myself as Anglo Indian.
We had family gatherings several times a year for Christmas, Easter and certain months when there were lots of birthdays due to there being 20+ grandchildren, as well as my Nan's siblings and their children. I had many, many happy times at my grandparents place, memories I will cherish forever and I miss them both so much. But even though they are gone and we are scattered across the country, we do our best to still meet up twice a year.
What Clifford said about food and music was so true! My grandparents loved country music, my Nan was a HUGE Jim Reeves fan and one of his songs was played at her funeral. I still cry when I hear it. Her ball curry was legendary in our family, she'd make a huge vat of it for family do's along with chicken biriyani, Bombay potatoes, samosas etc. My great Nan (Nanna Mona we called her) would make almond cake and coconut sweets and my grandad would play the keyboard with my uncles on guitar and they'd sing the old country and rock songs. This video made me remember those happy days, thank you so much!
Lol. Why do Anglos love Jim reeves ???
Very interesting and informative video. Be great to see more like this. Thanks.
Thanks for watching. We've done a few films on Anglo-Indian culture and hope to do more. Check our Britain's Forgotten Grandchildren. It looks at one family who moved from Erode in India to London in the 1960s. You may enjoy it.
I think I fell in love with the guy when he said he dropped the "Anglo" 9:15. The supremacy of the British heritage is only paper-thin, the moment the 2nd classed Anglo-Indians deny that power, the supremacy falls apart.
"Anglo_INDIAN!!"
Brilliant, can relate to every word. I also wind my mum and her sister up about what they really are. They still insist they are white British 😂 despite the racism they faced when they came in the 50's.
Hello Bhai-Greetings from the Tunbridge Wells Massive! My mum Rita was an A.I.,Calcutta born and raised and Cor Blimey did She look down on our Chinese,Indian and Malaysian servants! She was mixed Irish and Indian and she always 'talked-up' the Irish side! she DID speak with a sort of 'clipped,BBC Accent' except when she lost her temper when the odd Indian-accented word would surrepticiously slip-out and we'd all Imitate he- jabbering-away,heads-wobbling and all and she'd giggle,having been caught Out,ha! My dad was from Dorset and when they got together it was like her Knight in shining armour had ridden-up to Save her from her 'inner-darkie' (Butt, Unfortunately he turned-out eventually to be just the rear-end of the horse!) We all grew up in Singapore as that was where my dad had a job,so That was quite a lucky place to grow-up. Im a hairstylist in Kent now and I just Love 'O Buddy Num-Numming it up' any chance I get especially among Indian and Pakistani taxi-drivers I know! Thanks for tour video it was nice and it's too bad us A.I's belong to a dying breed-basically they were a fun-lot and the grub was always good-I especially liked.as you say.the Ball Curry and they couldn't even do a simple,English Shepherd's Pie without a Noticeable Pinch of Garam Masala wafting through it ha ha and the older men would always entreat you to join them in a cheeky 'Sniffter'...3 fingers of Brandy! "Kammon My boy,let's have a Sniffter...Sshh!" All the Best Cliff,x M
This is fantastic thanks 😊
glad you enjoyed it!
This is brilliant. So nice that you live in east London as well. I dont see many around here apart from my family lol. Lovely and informative video. Thanks you
I absolutely agree with you on the superiority complex, the older ones are a little bit racist towards indians, but they have to realise that they were created through them, so there is no point in that.
Been in the UK from Australia for 7 years and haven't met one yet. Where are all you guys? Any groups? SO many in Australia though (I think it's the weather).
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi, there are some groups in South London. The South London Anglo-Indian Association has events.
There are many in Britain who just call themselves British. Some well known ones are Engelbert Humperdinck. I think Cliff Richard is but he doesn't say that. Peter Sarstedt.
lovely film
cheers
Love the Anglo-Indian content ♥️
Please say hello to your mum - we were childhood friends. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@mfabian-gomez6043 I will do x
Loved watching this. Loads of Anglo friends from primary school boarding in Ooty so this I could totally relate to. Fun buggers, Anglo's!
Glad you enjoyed it!
😂
All I see is a Londoner 😊
Absolutely. :)
:) 🤞
Straight & witty albiet with an English accent. An Anglo - Indian through & through. We didn't ask to be created as AI's but we wore the suit as best we could. Loud n Proud.
Nobody did lol the Anglo-Saxons didn't either
Very nostalgic and sad to think about the country of my birth when I see and hear accounts of life in India
especially Calcutta where I went to school and left for England in 1953.
Good video.
I have relatives in Walthamstow and often stay with them when I visit London. Maybe I'll run into this gentleman there sometime. Thanks for the video.
Nice one Cliff.
thanks for watching!
What an important piece of work for anglos. Thank you for posting, brilliant.
Thank you! I love hearing Cliff's view on this. He puts it so well!
I identify a lot with this man when talking about generational differences
Born in Britain means British… of Indian descent … I grew up in India and only left in late 1969… basically I believe we are Indian of the Anglo Indian Community. Never had a problem in aIndia itself… except perhaps a particular teacher… who did not like the community… mind you she was a Catholic. I was only there for one term before going back to the Hills…. The school I went to was Anglo Indian to begin with … and run by the Railways… now of course nary an AI in sight. I loved the school and still do … one family. The Oak Grove family. I loved India and still miss it tremendously… my friends… the memories are so alive … it was a good life. Yes, you are right… AIs still love to jive… even the younger generation… I grew up with great music, big bands and a variety of dances. It was a good life… memories of Christmas as a child of the Railway Colony sound like fairy tales … days of celebration for us by the Railway… Sports Day, Talent. comp, fancy dress, Christmas Tree… and who can forget the fantastic shows…. The News Eve Show at the Institute … the gorgeous dresses on our gorgeous ladies… the men dressed in their dress suits… nothing ever compares to those wonderful days in AngloIndia. Thank goodness for the memories we still carry and we’re privileged to experience. I left aIndia reluctantly in October, 1969 … I left my heart ♥ behind… yes, I have lived in Australia for nigh on 53 years… I have loving and caring sons and Grandchildren I adore… I am in my twilight years now and am thankful for the opportunities Australia gave me to study further and to build a life here … i live for my family … and am grateful for the wonderful memories of Another time… another place..
Yeah in the colonial period and few years after independence from British the Anglo Indians were notorious for being aloof from Indians owing to a belief of being superior to indians due to European ancestry, English education, higher standards of living thanks to favours from colonialists. Many CHOSE to leave india as they identified more with europeans. It's like how during segregation era some African Americans with white father choses to identify with Europeans than the other African Americans though the American society of those times did not. They did get preferential treatment compared to others though. However there is one incident which I would like to share which shows how pride takes a fall. One of my friends who had European features used to claim to be an Anglo Indian and was very proud about it to a point where it really pissed us. He however never told where he lived, generally just telling the area and not the exact address. We however did find out where he lived and it was a small house (Maybe the reason he didn't want to tell us). We went in and there were pics of his parents grandparents and great grandparents on the wall inside a room. We noticed that his father was European like but his grandparents and great grandparents were indian looking. Plus his mom's family were all indian looking. Finally we came to know that his grandma used to work as a maid in the house of a "SAHAB'", the term used for British officers. Well the cat was out of the bag on why he and his dad looked European and then our anger at his taunts about our skin colour and curly course hair meant he was mocked after that. Now I do feel bad, but as a kid it was revenge.
Doesn't matter what others think about you. You cannot forget your roots. Please don't feel shy of your culture and manners. After all you have no control over your birth.
It is very hard to generalize about a diverse group as Anglo-Indians. I am of post Independence generation. By 1970s many who had education and skills, had migrated to England, Australia, and Canada, leaving behind those who could not emigrate. These people were looked down upon by the local population. I remember a quote but not the author. And I do not agree with it. But many educated Indians did often use this quote: "Discarded by the East, disowned by the West, tis community combines vices of both, and virtues of neither." That is/was harsh and a more humane approach is needed.
As a HR manager in a multinational firm in Secunderabad, we employed dozens of Anglo-Indian men and women. Most of them hailed from families that were employed by the railways. Most men found it difficult to complete high school. Most of them found blue collar jobs. They did have good aptitude for things technical. But in a classist society a blue collar worker is not regarded with the same respect as white collar or pink collar employees.
In contrast, many of the young Anglo-Indian women after completing high school and courses in typing and stenography, were hired as secretaries and receptionists by ,multinationals like mine. They made good money, and were treated well by bosses. The disparity was telling. The tension between men and the women, especially if they were married couple, was too high. Alcohol, indebtedness, jealousy and mistrust on the part of the males was rampant. I have personally been approached by several of these women, not just the ones in my organization, but from other organizations too, to resolve some of their marital conflicts that involved physical and psychological abuse.
Transitions for any community are hard. One has to view them with empathy and understanding.
Nice bloke !
My Anglo Indian grandfather, Edward William Thomas and his wife Agnes Mary Bevan was recruited by the British to join the Malayan civil service. He was appointed as a Registrar of the High Court. His descendants married Dutch Burghers from Ceylon and Eurasians from Malaysia. I consider myself a Malaysian and am happy here. We have a Eurasian Association which has functions such as the New Year’s Eve dinner and dance. We have no memory of India. Most of us are professionals.
The Anglo Indian group in London sometimes has a new years dance as well. We have another film about Anglo Indian culture you might like. It's called Britain's Forgotten Grandchildren. It's about a family who came from India to London.
Hi My name is John Brown . I am an Anglo Indian still living in India.Basically a Railway family from Neemuch ,.You Guy's are Lucky that you went to England while we are still stuck in India and it sucks pretty badly .
Isn't it a bordering area between Rajasthan and MP?
Why don't you apply for a visa in UK or Australia?
@@ruosthesub1066 help him😂😂
That was nice.
Girl I met recently has parents that are Anglo Indian - gorgeous eyes.
Please subscribe. Comment below if you have ideas of topics or questions for future interviews.
My dad is Indian from Bihar my mom is Irish I live and born in U.K. but get confused by Hispanic a lot
Have you heard the song I wrote the lyrics for … music by Terry Morris (Misra)… We were the Railway Children. Carolyn Martin
Ah yes, Anglo-Indian do's at Brent Town Hall and the Indian food.
Well said.
cheers
Love your accent
I’m curious but what causes the British accent? I live in America and people who have immigrated to the USA will still speak in their native tongue while talking English. But it seems no matter what every British citizen always has that iconic accent no matter the heritage. How? I just find it fascinating
Yes l remember a Anglo lndian girl in Canada she was 19 years old from a town called Brampton the most beautiful female l ever laid eyes on in my life no comparison anywhere
he got no racism cus of his eyes....he has green eyes..to an english person they cant tell but for an indian they can tell....
Anglo Burmese (or MIXED Burmese!) woman in my 20s, felt somewhat isolated as a child for being ‘different’ and now feel attractive for being ‘exotic’.... how the times have changed. Bit of a struggle living in such a white part of the UK!
Before independence barma is part of india..
there's nothing wrong with using anglo-indian to identify yourself ethnically
If you are really anglo-indian, then surely you were named after Cliff Richard.
9:00 wouldn't they be mixed British? Being 75% European and 25% Indian?
You wouldn't say your mixed British being 75% Indian and 25% British
Nailed it! 😂
Cliff, by any chance, did you have a sister named Doreen, a teacher.
Mate mine is Australia is Anglo Indian dad white mum half Indian, he said they were very discriminated against in the 60s before moving to Australia he identifies as Australian , great no identity politics
Well yesterday this Aussie tradie asked me where am i from, I told him England.
I told him my mum is Italian and dads Indian and he replied “oh are you Anglo Indian”
I never heard this term before.
So here I am on TH-cam searching for who they are, where they from etc etc .
In conclusion unfortunately I am not an Anglo Indian. 🤪
Nah we ain't stuck up , we're just up 😏
No... never stuck up or pretentious... so down to earth and worked hard wherever we worked and did well given the opportunity.. No, we did not think we were a cut above anyone... nor did we think so... We are Indian and belong to the Anglo Indian Community... we speak perfect Hindi / Urdu / Tamil... Anglos in high positions in India were well loved by all... Christians, Hindus and Muslims etc.... never felt shackled in India....
Never felt like i entirely belonged to either side more white but prefer to be called a hybrid 😅
What the heck.is an anglo Indian an.indian who lives in england or someone who's half Indian and half british
Indians who live in uk are British Indian
During the colonial times from 1700-1800 British soldiers married Indian women. Their children were called the Anglo-Indians. They still exist here in India. They sure think they're a cut above the rest even to this day.
@@CarolineAnandSiddiqui not just British, even mixed race Indian and Portuguese, who migrated from the Portuguese Goa
etc, into British India joined the Anglo Indian community.
I am of Anglo Indian descent, my family came back in the 50s, ball curry is still in the family, my local shop which is ran by a British Asian said that my family were one of the first to sell curry in Warwickshire, my whole family moved to my street in the 50s and we have alot of photos, my great grandmother spoke Hindi and it influenced by grandad alot
The influence still affects the generations after.
How can you be Anglo Indian by decent? People who say they're (A country) by decent are typically Americans/Australians because 99% of the people are Decentdents of immagints..
Thank you for making this video and saying it as it is. Growing up in Mumbai, with plenty of Christians, I can confirm Anglo Indians think they are superior and look down on anything Indian, including language. Living in India they feel very proud they don't speak Indian languages.Ironically, they are all brown. 😅 And sorry to say but they smell. Their food and hygiene can be shocking..
I have married a full blooded Irishman of Catholic faith. Our daughter identifies as Indo Irish girl and is very proud of both her heritages. She loves Catholicism as much as she passionately recites her Hindi prayers.
🤔 How curious... Well, let's hope your mixed daughter isn't subjected to similar prejudices that were held against your fellow Bombayites. 😮
I think the lindians in Bollywood movies are mostly the Anglo lndians they are very attractive l must admit
AH !! I LEFT INDIA IN 1962 WITH MY PARENTS .
ANGLO-INDIANS (THE TERM OBSOLETE ) IN THIS DAY AND AGE !!!!!! HOWEVER, IT WAS MARRIAGE WITH AN INDIAN WOMEN BRITISH ( WHITE) MAN !!!!!
THE MAN DETERMINES THE CHILD'S GENES/ D,,N,A, ETC:
HOWEVER, EVERY ANGLO-INDIAN WILL HAVE THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES LIFE IN INDIA AND AROUND THE WORLD.
SO, CLIFF D;VAZ EXPERIENCES ARE INTERESTING
NO, NONE OF THE RACISM ENCOUNTER SINCE 1962.
PERHAPS, EXTREMELY FORTUNATELY !!
THANKS FOR THE VIDEO INDEED !!
FROM U.K.
Mate as an Anglo-Indian living down-under, I can confirm we are in fact the Master Race 👌