Ramu kaka (character)

Ramu kaka (Hindi: रामू काका), is a character type of Hindi literature and media. Similar to commedia dell'arte's Zanni, Ramu kaka is a servant. The Ramu kaka comes from the countryside and is a live-in manservant.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Origin of the name

"Ramu" is a diminutive for "Ram", a common first name or partial first name in the Hindi heartland countryside, whence Ramu hails. "Kaka" literally means "uncle" and is a nod to the character's age and familiarity with the family.

Characteristics

Ramu kaka is an aging, loyal, genial, live-in servant, fulfilling the roles of a butler and a valet.^[2] Often Ramu kaka has been with the family for decades, and occasionally generations.^[3]

References

^ Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2003. p. 413. ISBN 978-8179910665.
^ ^a ^b M.S., Veena; P.V., Ramanathan (2012). "The Emasculated Male Servant in Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss and Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger". The Journal for English Language and Literary Studies. II (iv). ISSN 2249-216X.
^ ^a ^b Goswami, Seema (2017-01-14). "The demise of 'Ramu Kaka' and why you should learn to look after yourself". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2020-11-22.

[Britannica-1] Encyclopaedia of Hindi Cinema. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2003. p. 413. ISBN 978-8179910665.

[Tiger-2] M.S., Veena; P.V., Ramanathan (2012). "The Emasculated Male Servant in Kiran Desai's The Inheritance of Loss and Aravind Adiga's The White Tiger". The Journal for English Language and Literary Studies. II (iv). ISSN 2249-216X.

[HT-3] Goswami, Seema (2017-01-14). "The demise of 'Ramu Kaka' and why you should learn to look after yourself". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2020-11-22.

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