Surname

Haven't heard a more queer surname in a long long time - 'Sidebottom'. He is the new English bowler - Ryan Sidebottom - who tormented WestIndies in their last Test Match.

Just imagine him introducing himself: my name is Sidebottom, Ryan Sidebottom.

The last time I heard a stranger surname was Coffin. But he was a french guy, and it is pronounced as Koffan there.

Marwari surnames are known to be different. I have two very dear friends surnamed as 'Kankani' and 'Toshniwal'. I have never heard them before, and never heard them after.

But Marathi surnames can be very imaginative. Often they signify the place they have come from like Kolhapuri(Kolhapur), Purandery(Purander), Gavaskar(Gavas), Tendulkar(Tendol). But some times they take very interesting connotations.

For eg. surnames like 'Khare', and 'Khote'(Biju Khote). Former means true, while latter means false. By the way, there are 'Khare' in Uttar Pradesh too. Then there are 'Phule'(flowers), 'Zhade'(shrubs) and 'Muley'(root). 'Kolhe' means fox, while 'Landge' means wolf. Then there are 'Wagh'(tiger), 'Waghdhare'(tiger catcher) and 'Waghmare'(tiger killer). There are even Gods and Ghosts too - 'Deo/Dev' and 'Bhoot/Bhute'.

But the most original surname I ever heard here is 'Dahibhate'(Curd-Rice) ! Just think about it.

Even in Hindi belt, we have names with a pattern. 'Dwivedis', 'Trivedis', 'Chaturvedis' - the surnames according to their forfathers' achievements - the number of Vedas they have read. Though 'Trivedis' are found mostly in Gujarat. 'Shastri' are those who had read Shastras.

Then teaching as profession finds special mention - 'Upadhyaya', 'Pandit', 'Acharya', and 'Pathak'. 'Upadhaya'(Pahadi Brahmin), 'Padhye' and 'Vajhe'(Marathi Brahmin), 'Ojha'( Central India), and 'Jha'(Bihar Brahmin) are the same. 'Srivastava'( Uttar Pradesh) and 'Sinha'(Bihar) are the same.

Talking about profession as surnames, who can beat Parsis. Most of them either they have Wala or the direct profession like Habib 'Painter', Hafiz 'Contractor', Farukh 'Engineer', Asif 'Doctor', Bejan 'Daruwala', Ronnie 'Screwwala', Shenaz 'Treasurywala', Umpire 'Dhotiwala' or the most stereotyped Parsi surname in Hindi movies - 'Batliwala'.

Bengalis often use combination of surnames. There are 'Sen' & 'Sengupta', 'Das' & 'Dasgupta', 'Majumdar' & ''SenMajumdar'. Often, the suffix is profession related. Britishers have changed 'Chattopadhyas' and 'Bandhopadhyas' as 'Chatterjees' and 'Banerjees'. Sometimes people keep the title along with the surname like 'Roy Chowdhari', where the latter is a title. A title which has been invented our times is 'Sahara' ala in 'Subroto Roy Sahara'. We gonna see many 'Roy Saharas' in future from this clan.

In North, Kshatriyas, Yadavs and Kayastha are known to keep titles. For the first two, it is 'Singh'. Like I am Manish 'Singh' Chauhan, while it Mulayam 'Singh' Yadav. But it is not necessary like there can be Chetan 'Chauhan' and Rupam 'Yadav' too.

Kayasthas sometimes either keep title bestwoed upon them like 'Rai' or they invent of their own like 'Bachchan'. Some do both like Harivansha 'Rai Bachhan' while he was actually a 'Srivastava.'

In Punjab, they keep 'Singh' for males, and 'Kaur' (meaning princess) for females.

In Bihar, 'Kumar' is often prefixed to the names. It is often suffixed too. For eg. you can find many Kumar Mahesh, and Mahesh Kumar there. You may also find many other suffixes like 'Prasad', 'Bharti' etc. They often leave out surnames. Another phenomenon common there is having dual names like - Shekhar Suman, Sudhir Vinod(like in movie Shool), and our very own Prem Piyush. Though it is not a rule as such.

South Indians, especially Tamils, don't put surnames. Easy.

I didn't intend to make this post so long.

Papaji Don't Preach

Jivha Per Saraswati
Only yesterday I said Mayawati will hound Anil Ambani, and lo - here she cometh! Uttar Pradesh geoverment has approached Center to cancel Ambani's Noida SEZ. This, despite she had announced immediately after taking oath that she wouldn't trouble businessmen. That's her idea of development. God save the state.

Economist turned Socialist
Below the able chhatrachhaya of the 'Madam', and ample brainwashing by the Lefitists, our Prime Minister has turned into hardcore Socialist. After armtwising RBI into giving preferential treatment(read loans) to miniorities, now he wants people to refuse "high salary" because this promotes social disparity and frustration amongst the poor.

Very noble thought indeed. It sounds familiar, though. I remember your similar speech after announcing reservations that we should have large heart and blah blah. I suggest you must bring a legislation on this. Merely an advice is not enough. You should put Indirasque taxation of 97% on the rich which prevelant during 70s. Your buddy P. Chidambram is very capable of that.

Hey Manmohana, but didn't you see the asset declaration of your fellow politicians before Election Commission. Your finance minister - P Chidmabram is worth 15 Cr. That is a lot of money to earn in a life time. You yourself have valued yourself 3.96 crore. Madam and her son together are worth just 1.7 crores. That's relatively poor. They don't even a house inDelhi! Unimpressive indeed!

Mayawati has 10 crores, while SM Krishna is a 18 crore baby. Laloo has been arrested for keeping disproportionate assets. Vilasrao Deshmukh's net worth is Rs. 3.29 crore

And then we all know, what a farce these declarations ususally are.

Now about the perks the MPs enjoy. A furnished bunglow in Delhi for just Rs 2000 per mensem which you guys refuse to vacate. It takes a court to throw you out.

They also get free, unlimited, first class railway travel with a companion and 40 business class companion tickets annually. Apart from that, they have access to 50,000 nearly free units of electricity and free water, three phone lines and 1,70,000 free local calls every year. Even then your electricity and phone bill exceed the limit which you don't even bother to pay.

The Delhi High Court has rapped MPs for the outstanding dues. It included Rs 11.7 crore due to MTNL, and the NDMC dues were Rs.5.25 crore, while Rs 28 lakh is due to ITDC.

The Parliament burdens taxpayers as the per minute running cost is Rs 20,000 and Rs 5-6 crore was lost per session in 2006.

Please put your house in order first, then start bugging rich salaried executives. That is their honest income, and they work well enough to deserve it.

Euphoria Over Maya

For the first time I would agree with Swamionics that there seems to be highly misplaced euphoria over Mayawati gaining a simple majority in Uttar Pradesh elections, and that wheels of fortune will change for the state ala Bihar's changed at the advent of Nitish Kumar.

Though, as usual, Swami has scratched on the surface only, but I also agree on his views on the comments made by "social scientist" Yogendra Yadav - something about "revolution of sorts" has happened in the state.

Yogendra Yadav, who till very recently, was a great fan of Mulayam Singh, has changed his stand fairly quickly, it seems. Social Scientist managing a Social Engineering? I have no doubts, however, that Yogendra, like his old buddy Rajdeep Sardesai, is a rank idiot.

Media will be media, but make no mistake, Mayawati will be Mayawati. At the risk of sticking out my neck, in my opinion, she is even worse than Mulayam. Okay, let me put this way. I may rather have a five year of misrule by Mulayam Singh than a five year misrule by Mayawati.

Le'me explain.

Mayawati has very different agendas. She just believes in symbols, and reversals. She will blindly undo all previous government's decisions - good or bad. She will burn more money on the Lucknow Ambedkar Park, and create more such parks. More unheard statues will get installed at even more unheard road crossings.

Names of universities, medical colleges, railway stations will be changed to the name of dalit idols all along the country. First casualty is the 102 years old, prestigious King George Medical College of Lucknow.

She had named it to Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj University during her previous regime 5 years ago. Thousands of Georgians( as the alumnus call themselves) around the world had made a huge protest back then. When Mulayam came to power, he restored the old name. Now she has again changed the name. Protests have begun again.

Then there would be more districts carved - remember we have Mahamaya Nagar, more Ambedkar Villages(read more privileged) created. Of course, I forgot to mention the transfer industry. She has a world record on her name. Not to mention her at-the-drop-of-hat-suspensions.

She understand no business. I remember last time when she was there, IBM Daksha and Dell wanted to open their call centers in Lucknow, considering their large chunk of employees come from Lucknow-Kanpur-Allahbad-Varanasi. As far as IBM is concerned, she asked for a 'cut'.

Dell wanted to open a 20,000 capacity center in Lucknow. This, after rejecting Jaipur and Chandigarh. But both Mayawati and Mulayam managed to scuttle the project.

Now she will reverse Anil Ambani's Dadri project. As if his elder brother wasn't trouble enough. She will throw spanners at Sahara City Homes, and might trouble Ansals as well. Latter, to their credit, are neutral so this might save them.

Yes, I must say though, that to do her bit she will arrange a trip for Mumbai and USA to "woo" investors, like she does last time.

Sigh.

But, I suppose, this is part of the nature that with every election people hope for better. These media channels have fuelled this hope to euphoric level. Let's better be safe than sorry.

From Shrieks To Syllables

Aryan began with shrieks & coos, then graduated to blabbles like "Gaya" & "Nayin", and now has post graduated to those syllables which parents ultimately love to hear - a non stop series of "Mam Mam Mam..."(as in Aam - mangoe), and "Pa Pa Pa Pa...".

It all started with "Mam Mam Mam Mam". It appeared very cute from his mouth. Then he started to say Papa, which he started within 3-4 days. Sometimes he speaks "Pa Pa" very lovably by giving a twist to ending "Pa". Soon "Ba Ba Ba Ba" also got added to his limited vocabulary.

Now he also says - "Abba Abba". When he is not happy, he says "Bua" or "Abua."

Though he says these things generally, I would like to believe he calls me "Pa Pa" :-)

However, there is a pattern to his "Ma Ma" and "Pa Pa". When he wants to play or go outside, he shouts "Pa Pa", while when his hungry or sleepy, he will go (or may not go) to his mummy and say "Mam Mam".

You can call this as Matlabi, which I guess he is, albeit innocently. But natural.

Keechad Mein Kamal

The son of a farmer tops the civil services exams, while that of a rikshaw puller gets 48th rank ! Bring them on, we have more Gudarhi Ke Lal on the lines of Lal Bahadur Shastri.

All this without reservation.

Three cheers to them, and if the royal debacle during Uttar Pradesh elections wasn't enough, three resounding slaps to Karunanidhis, Chidambrams, and Arjun Singhs.

Akaal

Read this one by Nagarjun in school. Puts up a poignant picture.

Aryan Panorama

No updates on Aryan since a long time. On Juneli's request.

Black & White


Having a ball




Naughty Naughty


Doesn't like that Syrup


Thande Thande Pani Se Nahana Chahiye


Yellow Yellow Lovely Fellow


Full Monty


Aryan Meets Ayush

Ayush is one day junior to Aryan. Aryan is clearly not happy with him because Aryan's favourite ball was given to Ayush.

Otherwise, Aryan busy doing his Mamma-Mamma-Mamma, Buaa, Ooon, Aaaan, Hooon, Hmmm....

The Music Tag

When Juneli tagged me at first, I thought it to be an easy tag. Not to be, at all. But yes, for once, I am glad I am tagged for this.

Your favorite lyricist and the lyrics you remember the most
A tough tag notwithstanding, and here comes the toughest question in the beginning it self. Toughest because unlike Deepak, I won't like the song unless I don't like its lyrics.

My preference for a composition goes like this: Lyrics > Singer > Music. In fact, even if there is a minimal music, because when I am deeply enjoying a song, I stop registering its music. For eg - the song from Shankar Hussain - Bahut Khoobsoorat, Magar Sanwli Si.

Here, I must also agree that I have strong gender bias towards male voice - a different form of male chauvanism.

And considering there have been so many genius lyricist around, it is difficult to name one. So like Deepak, I would also put up a list.

Shailendra: Definitely he should top the list. A commonner's lyricst, I should say. Like Deepak said, no difficult words, only simple Hindi/Urdu. I think it is tough thing to catch masses imagination without heavy words, and he did. Each songs of the movies like अनाडी , Guide, मधुमती are immortal now.

His song from यहुदी - ये मेरा दीवानापन हैं, या मोहब्बत का सुरुर is one of my favourites, but the song whose lyrics I enjoy the most is from the film सीमा sung hauntingly by Manna Dey, and music by Shankar Jaikishan - तू प्यार का सागर है, तेरी एक बूंद के प्यासे हम.

Gulzar: What to say? The only living genius of lyrics today. इजाजत in my opinion, is his best album ever. आंधी, घर come close . His metaphors are still fresh and different. I never knew one can write with water(खामोश सा अफसाना, पानी से लिखा होता) or cut the clouds( बादलों से काट काट के) or for that matter one can burn a cigarette with Liver(Bidi Jalai Le Jigar Se Piya). They are many such examples.

But the first among equals in his lyrics turns out to be heart-wrenching - ऐ मेरे प्यारे वतन, ऐ मेरे बिछडे चमन from काबुलीवाला. Incidentally, another Manna Dey song. This song is one example where you can't ignore any of these - lyrics, singer, music.

Bharat Vyas: Here I would like to mention one particular song whose lyrics and singing I can never forget - ऐ मालिक तेरे बंदे हमfrom दो आंखे बारह हाथThis one song will last for centuries, no matter what happens to Hindi as the language.

There are so many lyrcist I want to talk about, like -

Hasrat Jaipuri(he and Shankar Jaikishan have created riot together, especially the songs from आरजू)
Sahir Ludhiyanawi(प्यासा, हम दोनो, कभी कभी, चित्रलेखा, हमराज etc),
Shakeel Badayuni(Bees Sal Baad, चौदहवी का चांद etc)
Majrooh Sultanpuri(कुदरत , काला पानी, CID, अभिमान etc),
Kaifi Azami(कागज के फूल , हीर रांझा, अर्थ etc),
Anand Bakshi(हिमालय की गोद में etc )
Indivar( सरस्वती चंद्र)

But then this post will stretch beyond Illiad & Homer.

Your favorite song on friendship
The song from जंजीर- यारी हैं इमान मेरा, यार मेरी जिंदगी Sung by, guess who, Manna Dey.

Best song(s) portraying life’s emotion
Classic Anand Bakshi - जिंदगी के सफर में, गुजर जाते है जो मकाम from आप की कसम and मन रे तू काहे ना धीर धरेfrom चित्रलेखा written by Sahir Ludhiyanawi and immortalized by Mohd Rafi.

Which song are you humming today?
None.

Song(s) which brings tears to your eyes
1) The song from Raja aur Runk, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and written by Anand Bakshi - Tu Kitni Achhi Hai, Tu Kitni Bholi Hai, Pyari Pyari Hai, O Maa, O Maa.
(Especially, the lines - Maa Bachhon Ki Jaan Hoti Hai. Woh Hote Hain Kismat Wale Jinki Maa Hoti hai.)

2)The other song is from Hare Rama Hare Krishna, written by Anand Bakshi - Phoolon Ka Taron Ka, Sabka Kehna Hai.
(I love the line Dekho Hum dono Hain Ek Dali Ke Phool..)

3)And again the song from आप की कसम - जिंदगी के सफर में, गुजर जाते है जो मकाम.

A song which gives you hope, a reason to try again and again, a reason to say that life is beautiful

Maine Kaha Phoolon Se Hanso To Woh Khil Khilakar Hans Diye from the movie मिली penned by fellow Lucknowite - Yogesh.

When you want to be with yourself, silent and content but with music, which song would that be?
My ultimate favourite song from the film हम दोनो -मैं जिंदगी का साथ निभाता चला गया written by Sahir Ludhiyanawi and music by Jaidev.

If you have to express love with a song which would that be?
1)Again it involves Manna Dey, with Lata Mangeshkar from चोरी चोरी written by romance specialist Hasrat Jaipuri - आ जा सनम, मधूर चाँदनी में हम
2)The other one is from कुदरत - हमे तुमसे प्यार कितना, ये हम नही जानते

Five songs which you listen to the most
Not any particular list of five songs, but these are my favourite ones -
1)मैं जिंदगी का साथ निभाता चला गया
2)अभी ना जाओ छोडकर, के दिल अभी भरा नही
3)हम बेखुदी में तुम को पुकारे चले गए
4) Nishana Chook Na Jai, Zara Nazron Se Keh Do Ji
5) हम है राही प्यार के हम से कुछ ना बोलिए

A song for the person who tagged you
My song for her would be ना मुँह छुपा के जियो और ना सर झुका के जियो from Humraz.

Have Done, Have Not Done & Want To Do

This tag by Juneli has been pending since ages.

Have

Climbed a mountain – A hillock
Said 'I love you' and meant it - Oh Yes
Hugged a tree - Not done since a long long time, but done nevertheless.
Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise - Only on my marriage day.
Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment - In the college library.
Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking - Yes, only in college parties and marriages.
Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment – By God's grace.
Had two hard drives for your computer - Don't own a computer, but on workplace, yes.
Had amazing friends - Really amazing some of them.
In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
Played in the rain - Bachpan Mein
Toured ancient sites - Not at Mohen-Je-Daros, and Incas types. But yes.
Performed on stage - In school and neighbourhood.
Spoken more than one language fluently
Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking - Yeah I do that all the time.
Broken someone's heart - Couldn't help it.
Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol - At the balloons, yes.
Ridden a horse – It was a horrific experience.
Had your picture in the newspaper – I think so. No not picture. Only name.
Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about - Many a times.
Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language – Keep doing that all the time.
Changed a baby's diaper - But, of course.
Had a food fight - Oh yes. With my little sister, of course.
Screamed as loudly as you possibly can - At the cricket match.
Hit a home run - As in baseball, no. As in life, yes.
Milked a cow - Yes. Its a pain in the wrist.
Played in the mud - Aha. What a fun!
Buried one of your parents
Petted a cockroach - Oh my house is cockroach wildlife sanctuary!
Gone back to school - Kaafi Pehley.
Shaved your head - Yes, many times.
Slept under the stars - Many times at my Lucknow home terrace.
Taken a roadtrip - That ended with a fever.
Gotten married - Need I say more.
Raised children - Doing the same now.

Have not

Had a booth at a street fair
Fallen in love and not had your heart broken - Bus Amanush Hi Bana Ker Nahin Chhoda
Ridden a roller coaster - God forbid. I will simply puke.
Gotten drunk on champagne - Ever TeaCoffeetotaller
Bought everyone in the bar a drink - No. I am not that insane or rich.
Swam with wild dolphins - Can't swim. Unlucky Dolphins.
Won first prize in a costume contest
Gotten a tattoo
Eaten sushi
Held a tarantula - Me Not a SpiderMan.
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Gone to a huge sports game
Watched a meteor shower
Alphabetized your cds
Given more than you can afford to charity
Bet on a winning horse
Asked out a stranger
Held a lamb - Only a calf.
Seen a total eclipse - On TV, only.
Adopted an accent for an entire day
Taken care of someone who was drunk - Had an opportunity, I declined.
Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
Watched wild whales
Stolen a sign
Gone rock climbing
Gone sky diving
Visited Ireland
Been heartbroken longer then you were actually in love
Visited Japan
Pretended to be a superhero
Gone scuba diving
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business
Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
Crashed a party
Gotten divorced
Gone without food for 5 days
Rafted the Snake River
Been to Las Vegas
Recorded music
Eaten shark
Been in a combat zone
Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
Created and named your own constellation of stars
Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
Had plastic surgery
Survived an illness that you shouldn't have survived
Lost over 100 pounds - Don't need too.
Held someone while they were having a flashback
Petted a stingray
Helped an animal give birth
Broken a bone
Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
Had major surgery – God forbid.
Had a snake as a pet
Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
Eaten kangaroo meat
Parasailed
Eaten fried green tomatoes
Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
Selected one "important" author who you missed in school, and read
Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Skipped all your school reunions
Been elected to public office
Written your own computer language
Had to put someone you love into hospice care
Built your own PC from parts
Dyed your hair - Just Hinna
Been a DJ
Caused a car accident
Taken a candlelit bath with someone
Bungee jumped
Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
Lounged around in bed all day

Want to

Saved someone's life
Piloted an airplane
Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
Midnight walk on the beach
Been inside the Great Pyramid
Gone on an African photo safari
Visited Paris
Seen the Northern Lights
Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
Grown and eaten your own vegetables
Touched an iceberg
Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
Had a snowball fight
Backpacked in Europe
Sung karaoke
Kissed in the rain
Gone to a drive-in theater
Taken a martial arts class
Been in a movie
Made cookies from scratch
Ridden a gondola in Venice
Been on television news programs as an "expert"
Got flowers for no reason
Gone to Thailand
Bought a house
Been on a cruise ship
Wrote article for a large publication
Won money on a T.V. game show
Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
Visited all 7 continents
Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you