What
is in a name ?
By
Vivek Hande
What
is in a name, you might ask? I talk about nicknames or pet names or whatever
you may call them. These names have so much of a story to tell. They tell you
often about regional affiliations, religious inclinations, musical preferences;
at times about size, shape, color or even a state of mind. Well,
sometimes they convey nothing at all. Some names are distinctive of
a particular region and you could almost fix a personality and a face to
the name by merely listening to the name. An analysis of these names is as
fascinating as the names themselves!
Classic nicknames like Tony, Rocky, Bunty, Pinky , Dolly ,Sweetie
invariably remind you of warm , hearty ,affectionate, energetic folks
invariably from Delhi, Punjab or thereabouts. Jhumi, Tinku, Rinku,
Jhumpa, Jhumpi, Bulu , Toolu, Baapi and Khoka-the list is endless and
takes you to the Bengalis, who are one of the great masters of the
nickname business. A Goan couple I knew, had their first two kids named Bunny
and Sunny and when they were blessed with a third one, a little late in life ,
they had no option but to call the young fellow Funny!
Chotu, a very popular name might have been alright for the kid but just seems a
little incongruous when a hurly six -footer with a thick beard responds to this
epithet. Also, somehow, most waiters in hostels, canteens and cafes just
somehow are always Chotu. Baby, need not necessarily be of diminutive
size and delicate disposition- I have seen enough who are neither
baby-like in size or behavior. Tingu ,is more often than not a short , wiry
individual. A subtle one was AB Singh ,a Sardar ,a trifle whimsical but who was
rechristened ‘Ab-Surd’ for life!
Some names, invariably transform into abbreviated names and that sticks for
life. Bharadwaj almost always is Birdy; Subramanian is either Subbu or Mani.
Saxena, is often Sexy(regardless of sex appeal); Venkatesh is Venky; Chopra is
more often than not Chopsy; Parthasarthy is Partha and Pattabhiraman is
obviously Pattu. Krishna Kant Prem Kumar is KKPK; Dayaram Naresh Arolikar is
popularly DNA and Algappa Baindraj Chellaiah Doraiswamy has to be
ABCD and nothing else!
I may get confused with the real names of some very interesting personalities
in college. But their nicknames are still fresh in mind. I don’t remember
whether it was their physical attributes or behavior or persona which prompted
these names but they sure got engraved in memory. Bull; Gainda (Hindi for
Rhinoceros); Chipku(sticky); Moti(pearl) and the trio of Aadu, Maadu and Khadu-
I don’t have the foggiest idea regarding the significance or the origin of the
names but these names have survived time and tide.
Another set of interesting names are those based on gastronomic delights. One
of my favorites was a set of twins, Kaju and Kishmish! Nobody can take away the
thrill of calling out to Jalebi or tenderly beckon Jamun. HS Nath became
Nuts for life and is quite nutty in his own way. A little out of the
usual, a passionate mango lover, who had three boys fondly responding to
Langda, Dasheri and Aapus- believe it or not!
Each
name has a distinct character, flavor, identity and at the cost of disagreeing
with Shakespeare , Rose can certainly not smell as special as Gulab!!
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