ಪಗಡೆಯಾಟ

ಕರ್ಣನಾದರೇನು, 

ಅರ್ಜುನನಾದರೇನು?

ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಶಕುನಿಯ 

ಆಟದಲಿ, ನೀನು 

ಭೀಷ್ಮನಾದರೇನು?

ಪಗಡೆಯಾಟದ 

ಪ್ರವಾಹದಲಿ, ನೀನು 

ಈಜಿ ಜಯಿಸಿದರೂ,

ಬೇರೆಲ್ಲವನ್ನು 

ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡ 

ನೆರೆ ಸಂತ್ರಸ್ತ.

Tongue tied and twisted

How do we call our friends? Surely not by the "formal" birth names. Over a period of time it fits into a friendly tone. If not dirty, it at least gets a touch of a pitch that's easy to pronounce. In North Karnataka, the general formula to generate the mean versions of the real names is by adding these suffixes. If the name is masculine, replace the last syllable with 'ya'. That turns the names such as Ramesh, into 'Ramya'. The names like Sanjeev, as 'Sanjya'. Likewise for the faminine names the last syllable is replaced with 'ii'. Making the name such as Kavita, 'Kavvii' and Savita, 'Savvi'.

Given the background, let me jump the story I really want to narrate. This happened roughly a year ago after the posters of "Pirates of the Carrabbiaen: Dead men tell no tales" were released. As many were fans of the movie, I posted the poster in my school what's app group. Like it usually happens, there were fans who were commenting on it like 'aye mate'. Some typed 'Jack Sparrow' over it someone said 'Captain Jack Sparrow'. In the group Shri said, the teaser has been released too. As many were in the flow of the slang of the movie, I replied- Is that so. Savvy?

After a brief time, when I was back online, there was text from an unknown number. Before I was too curious, I learnt that she's Savita. (If you got me where I'm going, don't laugh yet) She's my schoolmate, existing in the same what's app group. As she wasn't that familiar, I had not saved her contact. The text was bit unusual but not surprising. It read, "Why did you mention my name in the group?"

Me: (totally confused) No. I'm sure I didn't take your name.

She: Yes you did. Cross check the group chat once. You said "savvy"?

Me: (tongue tied and twisted) oh!....oops that...

She: Yes. That. I didn't get in what context you referred me. So didn't know what to reply in the group.

Me: Actually savvy is a word that's been used often by the lead character in the movie Pirates of the Carrabbiaen. It was no reference to you.

She: Is that so? what does it mean?

Me: Google it or check in a dictionary. (Guess what? I too didn't know the meaning. I'd thought it's an expression of Jack Sparrow.)

She: I'm not getting the proper meaning.

Me: (after checking the meaning) It generally refers to an understanding ability of someone. When someone says savvy, it generally means "Do you understand?"

Savvy?

She: Thanks. Now I got it.

Thank god she didn't ask too many questions like in what context I used the word in the group and how it fits there. Otherwise she would have laughed at me for not knowing the meaning. Well, I couldn't complain much. The conversation had made my day.

A conversation with a kid.....

I was reading my old diary and found an interesting piece of conversation I had with my niece two years back.

Then Gunjan must be around three years old. That evening I took my three nieces to the nearby children's park. Gunjan being the youngest, she was not included in the groups by the elder two in their games. Looking her standing aloof, I approached her promising I'll show her something interesting.

(The conversation was in Marathi...)

Me: I'll tell you how the sun will set across the horizon.

She: Where is he going?

Me: He's returning home after his school like you do everyday.

She: Where is his home?

Me: In the sky. Far away from here.

She: Is it too far?

Me: Yes. It's too far away.

She: like beyond, beyond, beyond, beyond and beyond?

Me: Yes far away like beyond, beyond and beyond.

She: (Referring the clouds) what's that haze in front of the sun? My mam makes me draw such shapes

I tried to explain her but seems she thought the clouds are boring stuff and didn't ask any explanation even after not getting convinced.

I stood there with her amidst the mountains Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, watching the mesmarising sunset. The silence of the last minutes was broken when she yelled at the fading sun, 'Goodbye Sun'...

I too said 'Goodbye Sun'.......The kid had surprised me. I was smiling over her innocence....now too while typing this.