What's in a name, so said Kalidas in Shankutalam. Ok, just kidding, it was by Shakespeare but again, what's in a name. Now that we are done with today's PJ here is the serious issue.
Grew up in Madras and then one fine day, one of the politicians decided to rename it as Chennai. This opened the floodgates for all others who decided that names kept by the British was not acceptable to Indian sensibilities (like women exercising their freedom in a pub is not acceptable to ram and shiv senas) and therefore all cities have to be renamed. Thus, Bombay became Mumbai, Bangalore became Bengaluru etc. However, this is old news and not what this post is all about. For some reason, Madras did become Chennai in my head and in all subsequent conversations but Mumbai and Bengaluru remain Bombay and Bangalore. In spite of living in these cities for considerable time. Does it mean that Chennai brings out the characteristics of the city but for other two it has to be the anglicized names only? Or is it that Madras was never the right name for Chennai? You decide. I have.
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- Manoj
- The posts are just random ramblings. It would be totally unintentional if they turn out to be thought provoking.
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3 comments:
For me Madras is still Madras. How else can you classify yourself as a Madrasi or say Madras in a few different accents? LOL! Same goes for Bombay and Bangalore.
I agree to the madrasi bit. Otherwise, people up north will become totally confused. How else will they call all south indians Madrasi.
I remember this juvenile joke we had when u combine madras and calcutta. It then said MAD RASCAL CUTTA (as in dog).
Hee hee hee! I remember that joke too.
I still remember the shock on some people's faces when I told them then that there are 4 south Indian states and not just one Madras!!!
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