It's a very well known thing in Wales, that the Indian accent is very similar to our Welsh accent (South Wales especially). For some reason, the intonations are remarkably similar
I am from England and the fact the Welsh and Indian accent sound similar, there is no reason it just happened. It's like Portuguese sounds Eastern European
Back story only shown in the unbroadcast pilot episode : 21 years ago the Sgt Major had a secret affair and the resultant baby is Gunner Parkin, hence he is always encouraging him with phrases like "Lovely pair of shoulders boy - show 'em off!"
My dad was a Squadron Leader in the RAF in India in 1945, at the end of the war when he left India my dad gave his bycicle to his Indian batman (Officers helper) who was very pleased and is probably still riding around on it today.
All the characters are shown to be bumbling along together quite nicely. Every one of them does something hilariously foolish. A lot of the actors would have served in the Army and would be relaying funny incidents that they came across, this just makes it exlra special. There is nothing like the military for playing pranks both on their comrades and officers alike!
The Welsh accent may be a lot more similar to an Indian accent than you may think. British mythology says the earliest settlers came from lands to the West. The 'next' to supposedly (?) arrive were the refugees from Troy, led by Brutus who overthrew whoever was there at the time. The Trojans came from the same general area as the Harrapan's.
The best Sergeant Major/Gunney Sergeant… R Lee Ermey or Windsor Davies? It’s close, but being a Brit.. I absolutely love Sergeant Major Shutup!! Brilliant 😂👍🏼
You asked why the Welsh accent is similar to the Indian accent and here is probably why. Many of the missionary/school teachers who went to India in the days of empire were Welsh so naturally it would make sense that their own accent would carry over when teaching English and every other subject.
Nonsense, the Sergeant Major is portrayed as an idiot with all his 'poofters' bullshit, it's like thinking 'Fawlty Towers' is racist because of the Major's demented ravings, or that you're supposed to agree with Alf Garnett's bigotry and so the show is racist. These comedies mock those attitudes.
Big up Indie Jam , always a feel good factor watching you both react to shows i watched as a kid .Have you watched Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em with frank spencer ? . i think you will be proper tickled by the antics frank gets up to . oooooh Betty .
Windsor Davies was brilliant in this! Glad you are enjoying it. Im not sure how the Indian scenes stand up now but if you are not offended. I think people can get over offended at nothing really. I may get the boxset