Whats in a Name!

 

What’s in a name!

 

Said Bard while looking at a Rose. When I was in the North-East, I was fascinated by names that ring a rhyme. I liked some names such as Darjeeling. Doars (Door to Tea Gardens) region of North Bengal, abounded in musical names like Samsim, Singsong and Damdim which I explored on my bike as a newly commissioned Lieutenant. Later in Arunachal I came across names such as Rongtong, Jang, Dirang, Dzong and Zimithang. Another intriguing name of a place in Arunachal Pradesh is Ziro! Not to be left behind, Sikkim has Chumthang, Singtam, Sherathang  whereas Ladakh has Khardung, Chang and Rezang La’s! Back home, again in interiors, nearing Tibet plateau are Reckong Peo, Roowang and Tidong.   These names remind me of Pongyang, Xinziang and Hongkong!! The names Sisu and Pooh too belong to places in the area, which though are not sonorous but cannot to escape registration.

In Kashmir, I find names of shops intriguing and a cure for boredom. There are many which bear titles that comprise of two words. Pick & Choose, Give & Take, Cash & Carry and Ma & Pa’s are some examples of such. A saloon caught my eye which was named appropriately “Barbarian”. A poultry supply van had “Chicken Chasers” inscribed on it. The houseboats in the Dal all possess English names like Sun Flower, Rolex, Sea Hawk, Panzy, Piano, Chicago, Las Vegas and Helen of Troy. It explains as Houseboats were made as a loophole to the decree of the Maharaja banning foreigners from owning home or hearth in Kashmir.

A small shack where a middle aged man used to repair old wall clocks and time pieces was christened “Xanthic Dawn”!! I had to consult dictionary to understand it and went specially to meet the guy. He said he preferred that type of  morning sky !!! A shop dealing in pashmina shawls (also called Cashmere in heydays when they were the must have in upper circles of Europe, popularized by Josephine, wife of Napolean) is called “Kashmir Soft Goat”!

“Butt” is a common surname in Kashmir and is believed to have originated from “Bhatt” (Hindu) before conversions. Now many a gentlemen gets the idea of using his surname for  business as is natural, which have resulted in  some very entertaining names such as Butt Fabrics,  Butt Beauty Parlour, Butt Skin Clinic and what are arguably the most hilarious - Butt Washing and Butt Cleaning Service ( under it was written “For cleaning at home, call *1234567890*)! What literally takes the cake is – “Butt Bakery and Fast Food”

“Butt” what I and my son found probably the most intriguing was “Subhana the Worst”. Now this shop, sold carpets and handicrafts catering to foreigners in the early twentieth century. Story goes that Subhana, a quintessential Kashmiri trader promised a novelty to a British guy in Lahore. He took the advance money and never delivered it. This particular Britisher who was a persistent bloke, tracked him down sitting outside his Srinagar shop on the bund called “Subhana the Best” and yelled at him, “Subhana, you cheat, you are not the best, but the worst! The neighbours and passers-by overheard and the name stuck as is usual in the valley! Not to be left behind, Mr Subhana was quick to sniff an opportunity in the quaint situation. He changed the name of his shop to “Subhana the Worst” and remained in successful business for long. As they say – Any publicity is fine. The descendants of Subhana have proudly put the photo of that shop with billboard in the upmarket restaurant they run on Boulevard today. That’s where I noticed it and then dug out the story.