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Nick names - why are they important?

I just completed reading The Namesake by Jhuma Lahiri. A very nicely written book. Relations are portrayed beautifully. But what caught my attention was the concept behind nick names. In North India its common to have Nick names like monu,sonu, guddi, etc. In South India, you may have multiple names, but all the names will be meaningful ones. For e.g., Sita is the name given by elders, in school she will be Gayatri. But in Bengalis, it is a custom to have a bhalo naam and a daak naam. Bhalo naam is the formal name by which one would be known in school or college or office. Daak naam is the pet name ones family keeps. Selecting this pet name in itself is a task. And these names are weird, Bulty, Rumi, Budi and so on. But there lies a deeper meaning to this tradition. These names are meant to make one realize that life is not always serious, life is not just about struggle, life is not just about running for survival. Life at times is just for one self. Life is sweet cute and meaningless at times. Life should be enjoyed. It also shows closeness, friendliness, trust.
Don't we feel good when someone addresses us with a cute name? Don't we feel wanted and safe?  I think this daak name tradition should be propagated across. So many cute names would come up. And at times, world may end up knowing one by Daak naam and not Bhalo naam and the world will belong to him. So what's your Daak naam??

Comments

  1. priniks31 January 2016 at 15:17

    Hilarious.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nandini2 February 2016 at 20:42

    Being a bong, you do have my endorsement. However embarrassing the pet names may be, they do play an integral role in our lives. The places where I am know by my daak naam, I live a playful carefree life. When I am called by my Bhalo naam, the experience is different. I highly recommend having multiple names. It makes for a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nandini2 February 2016 at 20:42

    Being a bong, you do have my endorsement. However embarrassing the pet names may be, they do play an integral role in our lives. The places where I am know by my daak naam, I live a playful carefree life. When I am called by my Bhalo naam, the experience is different. I highly recommend having multiple names. It makes for a lot of fun.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown5 March 2016 at 01:55

    Bhalo naam Maharshi and daak name is Raj..

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown5 March 2016 at 09:00

    After reading this i wish i had a daak naam.. :-P I'll try one for the new member may b

    ReplyDelete
  6. Neha19 June 2016 at 22:31

    Nicely written Srilekh... I will now look for a daak name for Advik.. btw my daak name is Dolly and Bhalo naam is Neha

    ReplyDelete
  7. Neha19 June 2016 at 22:31

    Nicely written Srilekh... I will now look for a daak name for Advik.. btw my daak name is Dolly and Bhalo naam is Neha

    ReplyDelete

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