Have you come across funny surnames? I know, it is considered bad manners - making fun of names, surnames etc. Debate-able, touchy issues those are! However, I have come across some classic surnames and classic-er alliances of such surnames.
You might be knowing the joke which goes like - What's the name of the guy with 3 knees? Nitin
What's the surname of the guy with 6 knees? - Sahani. What's the full name of guy with 9 knees? Nitin Sahani. Well, something like that.
My area for this post is mainly restricted to (majority of) Maharashtrian surnames, since the obvious fact that I have lived my whole life in MH. I hope Maharashtrian bandhu- bhaginis will take this lightly... with a pinch of salt. And for those extra sensitive ones, I highly recommend a bowlful of salt. After all, I don't want ANY jumpy Maharashtrian Manoos to feel insulted and then spam my comments section with hate mails and brickbats and lecture and etc. and etc.
Often I have teased V. "What if our surname was 'Nayak'?" - I would ask. Then in the same breath I'd say "Then your name would be Vinayak Nayak". I relentlessly continued "What if our surname was 'Nayak' and our Dad's name started with a 'V'? Then your name would be Vinayak V. Nayak... that's like calling your name twice!!"
I just couldn't stop there, for I continued "What if my name was 'Prabha'? Then I would be 'Prabha Prabhu'. :D "And then what if our dad's name was Prabhakar? Then I would be 'Prabha Prabhakar Prabhu'?" :D
There are safe surnames and there are volatile ones. The latter ones can make you range from a chuckle to a full throated laughter. Sometimes I wonder how they live with such ones. Not ashamed maybe, but admit it, they do tend to fall on the funnier side. I mean, what do you think of Potdukhe (roughly meaning stomach ache), Tupe (Ghee), Hirwe (Green), Takle (bald), Phatak (gate), Dahibhate (curd rice) etc?
Imagine marriages of such families. In fact, I got thinking when recently there was a marriage at our neighbour's place. Their surname is 'Kurkure' and the bride's side was 'TaLele'. When we went to attend the marriage, I couldn't stop giggling; for the board read 'TaLele & Kurkure' which means Fried Crispy! That's what I call a perfect alliance.
Some more perfect matches as below ::
Imagine the groom's surname as 'Wagh - Tiger' and the bride's surname as 'Waghmare - Tiger Hunter' :D
Imagine the groom's surname as 'Gupchup - the silent ones' and the bride's 'Badbade - The talkitive'. :D
Imagine the groom's surname as 'Kale - Black' and the bride's 'Gore - Fair'. The children hence become Grey? :D
Imagine the groom's surname 'Dhere - big, fat stomach' and the bride's 'Potphode - someone who'll burst the stomach' :D
Imagine the groom's surname 'Sakhardande - sugar candy' and the bride's 'Tikhe - Chilly hot' :D
Imagine the groom's surname 'Kate - Thorn' and the bride's 'Phule - Flowers'. Would her name after marriage be 'Phul aur Kaate'? :D
Then there are parts of the body - 'Doke - The head', 'Mane - the neck' and of course, our very own GSB surname 'Pai - the foot'
And then there are those who manhandle the body parts 'Kanpile - the one who twists ears' and 'Paitode - the leg breaker'
Hey what if there is an intercaste marriage between 'Pai' and 'Paitode'??
And then there are the intellectuals too. 'Vichare - the thinker' and 'Shahane - the intelligent'
And the humans that don't sound like one 'Gaitonde - face of cow', 'Kolhe - the fox', 'Landge - the wolf'
And the metal lovers 'Tambe - copper man', 'Lokhande - Iron man', 'Pitale - Brass man', 'Sonar - Goldsmith', 'Lohar - Blacksmith'...
I hope, by now you are done with your bowlful of salt. Is there more to it? Add on if you know some interesting ones. Will add them here.
Friday, 6 August 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
What's in a surname?
Rayshma's this post triggered in me a thought that was reeling at the back of my mind. It seems an obvious step to adopt and change to an altogether new name, surname and hence a new identity after marriage. It's been there since ages, I guess... and pretty much accepted as a norm.
At some point of time during my childhood, V often teased me as "paraya dhan" and made me feel bad. I sensed that, in a few years, I won't be belonging here anymore. So much for a child's thought. Though as I grew up, I have come to believe that I will always belong to my parents no matter what. I'll still be their daughter, still be hankering for their acceptance, their blessings and even their criticism. Marriage does not change my relationship with them - if yes, it is always for the better.
I did not put much thought into whether or not I should retain my surname that I was born with. The main reason was, I liked the double surname concept. For me, double surnames sound sexy and hence I go by the "Prabhu-Kamath" title. Now, coming to think of it, I feel it is more than justified to have my name as above. It honours my dad; it honours my husband. It's the best of both worlds. It is where I belonged earlier (and even now) and it is where I shall build a bond. From a daughter to a daughter-in-law- it brings together two families for me. This is where I identify and discover myself as a person.
It is said that fathers "give" their daughters to the one they think is capable of making a lifelong commitment to her. They certainly do not wash their hands off at the moment they do... rather there is a seed sown of a new relationship between the parents and the daughter that is cherished and nurtured lifelong by both.
I admit, I had feminist ideas earlier. I didn't wanna adopt a different surname, I thought our family was the only greatest one surviving around here. Today, all that's behind me. I don't mind a new surname. Though, I'm yet to accept that I have a changed first name. Rather than accept, I'd call it - get used to it. Coming to the reality, there is a lot of chaos regarding my change of name and surname. In laws call me "Kavya" and many a times, I've had to be told that I was being talked to. There's already a "Purnima" in KK's family (or should I be saying my family ;-) :-)). Thus anyone calling out loud to aunt Purnima, I was the one to raise my hand and stand up only to be reminded that I was not the one they meant. :-)
KK was not much keen to change the name... nor was I... but I really was eager to know what my name would be. KK calls me by the name that I am widely known by, and that is what matters to me the most.
For ease of documentation, if I need to make changes, i don't mind flipping over from "Poornima Prabhu" to "Purnima Kamath". It is just a piece of paper for me. I was born a Prabhu, I guess I will live that way while adopting to a new family. and, why not? And again, why not say as proudly that I belong to the Kamaths as I say I came from the Prabhus? I have grown to love both the families... finally it's not the surname that matters, it is the people.
If you noticed, I have not changed the blog title. That's something I would like to keep it that way. Because, it makes me a girl that I was, I am and would wanna continue to be... free from relations, free from attachments, free from everyone...free from me... even if it is just for a few minutes.
At some point of time during my childhood, V often teased me as "paraya dhan" and made me feel bad. I sensed that, in a few years, I won't be belonging here anymore. So much for a child's thought. Though as I grew up, I have come to believe that I will always belong to my parents no matter what. I'll still be their daughter, still be hankering for their acceptance, their blessings and even their criticism. Marriage does not change my relationship with them - if yes, it is always for the better.
I did not put much thought into whether or not I should retain my surname that I was born with. The main reason was, I liked the double surname concept. For me, double surnames sound sexy and hence I go by the "Prabhu-Kamath" title. Now, coming to think of it, I feel it is more than justified to have my name as above. It honours my dad; it honours my husband. It's the best of both worlds. It is where I belonged earlier (and even now) and it is where I shall build a bond. From a daughter to a daughter-in-law- it brings together two families for me. This is where I identify and discover myself as a person.
It is said that fathers "give" their daughters to the one they think is capable of making a lifelong commitment to her. They certainly do not wash their hands off at the moment they do... rather there is a seed sown of a new relationship between the parents and the daughter that is cherished and nurtured lifelong by both.
I admit, I had feminist ideas earlier. I didn't wanna adopt a different surname, I thought our family was the only greatest one surviving around here. Today, all that's behind me. I don't mind a new surname. Though, I'm yet to accept that I have a changed first name. Rather than accept, I'd call it - get used to it. Coming to the reality, there is a lot of chaos regarding my change of name and surname. In laws call me "Kavya" and many a times, I've had to be told that I was being talked to. There's already a "Purnima" in KK's family (or should I be saying my family ;-) :-)). Thus anyone calling out loud to aunt Purnima, I was the one to raise my hand and stand up only to be reminded that I was not the one they meant. :-)
KK was not much keen to change the name... nor was I... but I really was eager to know what my name would be. KK calls me by the name that I am widely known by, and that is what matters to me the most.
For ease of documentation, if I need to make changes, i don't mind flipping over from "Poornima Prabhu" to "Purnima Kamath". It is just a piece of paper for me. I was born a Prabhu, I guess I will live that way while adopting to a new family. and, why not? And again, why not say as proudly that I belong to the Kamaths as I say I came from the Prabhus? I have grown to love both the families... finally it's not the surname that matters, it is the people.
If you noticed, I have not changed the blog title. That's something I would like to keep it that way. Because, it makes me a girl that I was, I am and would wanna continue to be... free from relations, free from attachments, free from everyone...free from me... even if it is just for a few minutes.
Friday, 9 July 2010
FAQs answered!
Ahem! Everyone was worried about me having to make this excruciatingly long journey to the US of A all alone in this big, bad world. Some bit their nails, some told me I was a brave girl and could certainly make it alone, some gaped at me in awe... all were promptly giving me advices, good, bad, nasty ones even. I appreciate that. I really do. I was made to promise that I'll email them the details of the trip and that I'm FINE.
I am obliged to answer to the same questions over and again, over chats, emails, FB comments, phones and everywhere else that I'm accessible. So I thought of answering to these FAQs on my blog to provide answers collectively rather than deal with them one by one, person by person. So here goes...
1. You reached?
a. Yes, I did.
2. The flight was on time?
a. Yes, it was. There was a delay in Mumbai, but the smart pilot made it here in time.
3. Good journey/ Nice flight?
a. Ok-ok, so-so. It was Air India and thus, airhostesses were to be strictly addressed as "aunties". They were rude and least bothered about providing assistance to the passengers. Moreover, they are crassly underpaid.
4. What did you do in Frankfurt?
a. It took almost an hour to alight from the flight in to the waiting area. Then I was reading my book "The White Tiger" and then coincidently, my ex-boss was on the same flight. So I was talking to him.
5. Saw movies?
a. Only one. Ajab prem ki gajab kahaani. I usually do not make use of the in flight entertainment.
6. Slept well?
a. Hardly for 2 hours... again which was being continually disturbed by one bratty 7 yr old kid. (I don't even sleep while travelling.)
7. How was immigration?
a. Good.
8. So, jet lagged?
a. The day I came, yes. Now, ok. Trying to fit in.
9. Did Kiran come to pick you?
a. D-U-H! Of course!
10. Was Kiran happy to see you?
a. Yes!
11. Were you happy to see him?
a. I was happy and relieved. (well, what do you expect???)
12. Were you tired?
a. After the 1 hr check-in/ immigration at CSIA, Mumbai, 2.5 hr wait for the boarding, 8 hr flight to Frankfurt, 2 hr wait at Frankfurt, 9.5 hr journey from there to Chicago O'hare and 20 minutes ride back home, I'll say I was a perfect definition for 'tiredness'.
13. What time was it when you reached?
a. It was 6th July, 11:15 AM... that's 6th July 9:45 PM in India.
14. Did you talk to your parents?
a. The day I reached, I managed to say I'm ok. And spoke to them yesterday too.
15. How's your house?
a. Pretty cozy place. I'm loving every bit of it.
16. Done unpacking?
a. No.
17. Any Indians nearby?
a. Yes, one Punjabi family are our neighbours. Ran into them yesterday.
18. Do you like it there?
a. Yes, I do.
19. Did Kiran cook for you?
a. Yes. There was lunch ready for me when I was home.
20. Photos kab bhej rahi hai?
a. As soon as I'm done with setting the house.
Please add on any more questions that you have, will answer them sincerely.
*Offer valid till patience lasts*
I am obliged to answer to the same questions over and again, over chats, emails, FB comments, phones and everywhere else that I'm accessible. So I thought of answering to these FAQs on my blog to provide answers collectively rather than deal with them one by one, person by person. So here goes...
1. You reached?
a. Yes, I did.
2. The flight was on time?
a. Yes, it was. There was a delay in Mumbai, but the smart pilot made it here in time.
3. Good journey/ Nice flight?
a. Ok-ok, so-so. It was Air India and thus, airhostesses were to be strictly addressed as "aunties". They were rude and least bothered about providing assistance to the passengers. Moreover, they are crassly underpaid.
4. What did you do in Frankfurt?
a. It took almost an hour to alight from the flight in to the waiting area. Then I was reading my book "The White Tiger" and then coincidently, my ex-boss was on the same flight. So I was talking to him.
5. Saw movies?
a. Only one. Ajab prem ki gajab kahaani. I usually do not make use of the in flight entertainment.
6. Slept well?
a. Hardly for 2 hours... again which was being continually disturbed by one bratty 7 yr old kid. (I don't even sleep while travelling.)
7. How was immigration?
a. Good.
8. So, jet lagged?
a. The day I came, yes. Now, ok. Trying to fit in.
9. Did Kiran come to pick you?
a. D-U-H! Of course!
10. Was Kiran happy to see you?
a. Yes!
11. Were you happy to see him?
a. I was happy and relieved. (well, what do you expect???)
12. Were you tired?
a. After the 1 hr check-in/ immigration at CSIA, Mumbai, 2.5 hr wait for the boarding, 8 hr flight to Frankfurt, 2 hr wait at Frankfurt, 9.5 hr journey from there to Chicago O'hare and 20 minutes ride back home, I'll say I was a perfect definition for 'tiredness'.
13. What time was it when you reached?
a. It was 6th July, 11:15 AM... that's 6th July 9:45 PM in India.
14. Did you talk to your parents?
a. The day I reached, I managed to say I'm ok. And spoke to them yesterday too.
15. How's your house?
a. Pretty cozy place. I'm loving every bit of it.
16. Done unpacking?
a. No.
17. Any Indians nearby?
a. Yes, one Punjabi family are our neighbours. Ran into them yesterday.
18. Do you like it there?
a. Yes, I do.
19. Did Kiran cook for you?
a. Yes. There was lunch ready for me when I was home.
20. Photos kab bhej rahi hai?
a. As soon as I'm done with setting the house.
Please add on any more questions that you have, will answer them sincerely.
*Offer valid till patience lasts*
Sunday, 27 June 2010
Just another tag
Blog hopped and flicked a tag from this blog.
Rule: Strike out all that you have done from the following list.
Rule: Strike out all that you have done from the following list.
1. Graduated high school...
2. Kissed someone Code … I refused to strike it off unless i understand what it means.
3. Smoked a cigarette...
4. Got so drunk you passed out...
5. Rode every ride at an amusement park...
6. Collected something stupid...
7. Gone to a rock concert...
8. Helped someone…
9. Gone fishing…
10. Watched four movies in one night….
11. Lied to someone…
12. Snorted cocaine...
13. Smoked weed...
14. Failed a subject - Believe it or not, I flunked French with the rest of the class. :D
15. Been in a car accident...
16. Been in a tornado...
17. Watched someone die…. ants, roaches and mosquitoes that i swat
18. Been to a funeral...
19. Burned yourself… small istri chatkas
20. Run a marathon…
21. Cried yourself to sleep… ahem ahem
22. Spent over 10,000 bucks in one day…
23. Flown on an aeroplane...
24. Cheated on someone...
25. Been cheated on… i didn't get this?
26. Written a 10 page letter…
27. Gone skiing..
28. Been sailing…
29. Cut yourself...
30. Had a best friend... naah, Have best friends. still...
31. Lost someone you loved…
32. Got into trouble for something you didn’t do
33. Stolen a book from the library….
34. Gone to a different country...
35. Watched the Harry Potter movies... - not all
36. Had an online diary…
37. Fired a gun...
38. Gambled in a casino
39. Been in a school play... school dance "There was a little princess..."
40. Been fired from a job ... nobody, absolutely nobody can fire me!
41. Taken a lie detector test...
42. Swam with dolphins...
43. Voted for someone on a reality TV show - Abhijit Sawant and Amit Sana got one vote each from me.
44. Written poetry… ya, pathetic ones in school
45. Read more than 20 books a year…
46. Gone to Europe... will strike this out soon enough
47. Loved someone you shouldn’t have - my puppy love, Mithun da!
48. Used a coloring book over age 12
49. Had a surgery...
50. Had stitches...
51. Taken a Taxi...
52. Had more than 5 IM conversations going on at once… he he he, those were some days!
53. Been in a fist fight...
54. Suffered any form of abuse...
55. Had a pet… my pet parrot... waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!
56. Petted a wild animal... - is snake a wild animal? reptile animal, maybe?
57. Had your own credit card, bought something with it... - :'(
58. Dyed your hair… colored it brown, mom disapproved :'(
59. Got a tattoo...
60. Had something pierced... - I was 12 days old brave baby when i had my ears pierced!
61. Got straight As... naah, i always went down with a 'B' in drawing! hmmmph!
62. Known someone personally with HIV or AIDS...
63. Taken pictures with a webcam...
64. Lost something expensive … can I be corny and say my heart?? :P
65. Gone to sleep with music on... - naah, need peace when i sleep. no muzic.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
Beauty Parlour Blahs
Any woman that denies having stepped into the oh-so-womanly beauty parlour, at least once in their lifetime, is certainly lying. And here, i talk about the current generation, not that of our moms and grand-moms and great great grand-moms and the likes. It is but natural that women have started venturing out, are more active and are no longer restricted to the confines and comforts of their homes. In short, all such women-lib crap. (Clarification: Women's-lib is not crap - why i mentioned it here maybe...) On second thought, womens-lib is crap.
Let's admit that parlours do enhance the way you look. Maybe they can't change your structure forever(excuse the cosmetic surgeons and the various brow lifts and face lifts and rhinoplasties and chin tucks and ear staples- I'm talking about the normal, average, those ones found in every society wala, beauty parlour); but they can certainly make you look much presentable than you might usually do.
I too have beauty parlour sessions from time to time, and there's no denying to that. The first time I set my foot into one was when I was in college... don't remember when. But i do remember that mom had pushed me to get my eyebrows shaped. I had this bushy, fat eyebrows that needed trimming - as mom put it. I never stopped to think about my eyebrows. I was bewildered at the thought of getting my eyebrows plucked. I begged my mom to come along... but she wouldn't have it. "The way you act anyone would think you are going in for some bypass surgery". Of course, to me it was no less than one. Did I mention that my aunt who shared her experience with eyebrow threading had told me that it pained so awfully and she couldn't stop sneezing and the whole session took about an hour to get her eyebrows in shape? There you go... scary, innit?
Yes, I have come a long way from there. Though I no longer hyperventilate at the idea of threading, I still have my apprehensions.
To say I have delicate, sensitive skin would be a boorish understatement. My skin jumps at least provocation. And so, I launch myself into giving a short tape recorded speech to beauty parlour aunties (BPAs) when they rant 1001 solutions to soft and supple skin, that usually includes various face massages, bleaching, herbal creams, ayurvedic mud packs, costly Parisian lotions etc. And may I please add, at their esteeeeemed parlour - the one stop solution to all my skin care miseries. Most of the time, I successfully wish-wash their skin care hocus-pocus by mumbling *sensitive skin, doesn't take all this so well*.
However, let me tell you, these aunties are doctors by their own standards. One look at your skin and they tell you how cruelly you treat your skin. How insensitively you put it through, dhool-mitti-pradushan day by day, week by week, month by month, year after year... Each time I go for a session, say even for a 45 minute hair trimming one, I have to face the insults thrown at me. My hair is always dry, I don't use conditioner, I don't got for hot oil massages, I don't trim it as often as I should, which shampoo I use, why I use that one, why not the one she suggested, when will I learn, how difficult it'll be after marriage, more so after kids, i should learn to take care of myself, 5 minutes everyday I can't spare for my own good - These are the accusations hurled at me that I hence unabashedly concur.
I try. I do try. Really. Really hard. That is, to fall in line, to take a step towards the betterment of my neglected beauty regime. But that's not the only thing I do, is it? Get this, conditioner + wrapping my head in hot towel should tentatively take not more than 7-9 minutes. But by the time I somehow clumsily get the knack of wrapping the towel, it has already turned cold. I'm back to heating the towel.
Not to mention how many times I call out to my distressed mom to give me a hand at it. I give up. Of course, I haven't yet admitted this to my BPA yet. Else I'd be in another you-don't-listen-to-me charade. I wonder if "How to humiliate your customer" is a part of their training.
And then, there are those whose expertise lie in painting your face in bright colours during occasions like weddings and receptions. The only time that I handed over my face to BPAs is during V's wedding and mine. And that includes the reception too. While the wedding make-ups were commendable, the reception ones turned out to be a nightmare. Believe me, me being fair skinned, they slather every possible cream and foundations to make me look fairer. Then they team it up with the darkest and brightest shaded lipstick that they can lay their hands on. The result? I look a classic example of Noorie. That's what my cousin calls me each time he looks at my snap. All my lamentations fall on deaf ears while parallely giving me the know-it-all-looks i-know-what-looks-best-on-your-skin-tone look.
What annoys me is, no amount of convincing works on them. I guess like you can't argue with your doctor or your lawyer, you can't argue with the BPA's either. So I have devised a way out. The day I need to visit my BPA, I apply moisturizer - of any kind that's available at home but make sure to name the correct brand that she has suggested, bathe in conditioner - again, of any kind that's available at home but make sure to name the correct brand that she has suggested, smile a lot to erase any guilt off my face and say, "hey look I use this product you suggested and it works like magic for me" smile, smile, smile, smiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiile. Dare her to argue, she won't. This is how I defeat my BPA in her own battlefield. Oh, how vindicated I feel! :D
P.S. I hope my BPA doesn't land here... or i'm done for!
P.P.S I hope none of you are BPAs... I'm still done for!!!
Thursday, 3 June 2010
A Mistake
Her hands were shaking as she stared at the red - coloured strip in her hand. She was unable to comprehend what had gone wrong.
All of 15, she was a brilliant girl, who'd make her parents proud one day. She was synonymous with intelligence, perfection and excellence. No mathematical problem was ever too difficult for her; science was a piece of cake. She showed keen interest in social sciences too.Even though English bored her, she never let that show up on her score card. She had every signs of making it big; given her hunger to keep learning more.
Everyone knew she was brainy. She knew she was brainy. She knew she was the right mix of common sense and intelligence. That actually made up for the lack of physical beauty. She thought she was O.K. looking - not too good, neither too bad. No one ever noticed her skinny figure, or her unshaped eyebrows or even an occasional pimple on the nose. This girl exuded great confidence. Confidence to excel, confidence never to go wrong.
Then what went wrong today, she wondered. None of it was going as planned. How could the strip have changed its colour? She couldn't help but panic as she turned her attention once again to the damned thing in her hand. She had a burning sensation in her throat. She thought about what she had done. She had made sure nothing would go wrong. In fact she was careful... very careful knowing well in advance of the repercussions if anything failed.
Rewinding her mind, she wondered if she could do anything to make amends. Truth was, she did not have any time to undo the error. She stood trembling and sweating while realisation hit her that there was nothing she could do now. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him nearby. What would he say to her when he comes to know about this? Worse, how would she face her parents? This was certainly not expected of a girl who was so "her". Her confidence level that usually rid the sky, came crumbling down with these thoughts.
He was within a hand's distance now and would soon be face to face with her. She almost swooned with fear and anxiety as he moved towards her with a smile.
"What's wrong?... You look as white as a ghost... or did you see one?" he attempted weak humour at that tensed moment. Her predicament became evident to him when he saw what she was holding between her shaky fingers.
He crinkled his nose and made some clucking noise, stamping disapproval. Disappointment was writ large on his face... or so she thought.
"You never once made mistakes in your science experiments!!! Then how come during this crucial exam time your blue litmus paper has turned red?"
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Lovely gift!
Furious preparations for our wedding is going on... so from now until the very day my calenders are marked. Currently, me and amma have taken up the responsibility of inviting Pune friends and family.
We just started out today... and how could I not go to one of my best friend's house to invite her??? So, yeah, Tejaswini's place was one of the selected few that we have decided to invite personally.Within 10 minutes of we being there, this girl couldn't sew in her excitement to hand over the gift she bought for me...well, rather thought for me. Well, her extra bubbly-ness was understandable since the gift was...
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