There is a good deal in a name …

                                       Effect of the name

 Long back, when Shakespeare in his classic writing of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ scribbled, “what’s there in a name...” It became the tag line, that, remains in the memory of people still on this day. Often, people, throw this sentence in common parlance in the air, to display their pedantic attitude. It’s up to people, whether they take its as a paraphrase or a meta phrase. But the truth is, there is a lot in a name. Even, it’s proven by the another classic of  William Shakespeare titled “Merchant of Venice.” There in this book, is depiction of a cruel, extortionist type character of an utmost greedy merchant, named Shylock. This character has earned the notoriety all over the world as a villain. No one gives this name to his child in real life, as an, official recorded name.

Likewise, so many names or characters exist in mythological or legendary fables, depicted as villain. No one dares to nomenclature his or her children upon that name. In Indian context, specifically in our Hindu social system, which is greatly influenced by the great epics “Ramayana”(Based upon the life time events and incidences encountered by Lord Rama) and”Mahabharata” ( another big story of a great past). Here, the popular villainous character in “Ramayana” was Ravana, the mighty demon king of Lanka of that period of time. He, upon getting enraged by the humiliation of his sister Shurpankha, kidnapped the wife of Lord Rama, in his absence. This followed into a fierce war and led to near about annihilation of his dynasty along with kith and kin.

                                       Multiple instances

No one, in Hindu culture even thinks to give this name to his or her son. Although, nowadays, paltry one or two instances been registered. In such case, some budding revolting political youth leader has adopted this nick name, as a suffix to the original name. But all that is a political stunt. Even in the Hindu social system, the nick name “Ravana” is used behind a person contemptuously. And that too, for, his injudicious and cruel demeanor towards other people.

In the epic “Mahabharata,” a villainous character of Duryodhana, too, is never adopted as a ceremonious name. At the same, notoriety of maternal uncles depicted in the same great epic, by the character name of “Kansa” and ” Shakuni” is taken as abominable. People never gave there name to the children. Here again, an illustrative citation of great sage “Dadhichi” is worth mentioned. Though, his self scarification is a great paradigm for the judicious and holy cause. The mythological fable goes on as such —

Hugely tormented by the atrocities of  a demon Vritrasur, who even deposed the deity Indra from his divined throne. All deities approached Trinity Gods, to find some solution that might help to defeat this demon. Trinity Gods advised them, If great sage Dadhichi consents to sacrifice his body, and a weapon is made out of the bones of his, through that only this demon be killed. All deities approached sage and implored him. He too happily sacrificed himself for the holy cause and as such demon Vritrasur got killed.

Here astonishing fact is, hardly we find any parent who dared name his son after the name of sage Dadhichi. It reveals the selfishness of Hindu mindset. It is considered, whenever, you name your child after some one’s name, it is supposed to inherit his characteristics. In India, it seems, no one wish, his son should become such great martyr.  A common folk cherishes  a wish his child should live a long and felicitous life. Some other interesting examples of all time great sage too are there. There has been a great seer, named “Durvasha ji.” He is alive in our culture for thousands and thousand years for his instant inflaming furious temperament. He was, to put every such person to suffer from  his fierce curse and get spoiled who by mistake even innocently made him angry.

No one intends to name his son as Durvasha. Though, a man with short temperament is often called as Durvasha on his back. Another interesting name with somewhat changes is of great sage “Narad Ji.” He has a renown for transmitting every received information (good as well as bad) to another party concerned. He is treated as an iconic sage who ‘telltale’ every news. Likewise a man with flippant attitude and levity, who telltales is called as “Narad” in the society. People also avoid naming their son as Narad in general.

                                         Present trend

 Back to the present scenario. No one prefers to name his son as ‘ Hitler.‘ Oftentimes people are given to name their children after the popular cine stars or renowned politicians. Behind this mentality hidden a selfish desire. By naming after them, their children may gain the same renown and prosperity. Not so long back, people happened to call their children after iconic freedom fighters and revolutionaries. But with the passing of time that propensity too got diminished.

Convention of naming children after the name of God has so far been vogue. In Hindus, names of people after legendary deities and gods has been so frequent. The same trend is followed abundantly in Muslims. Every third or fourth name is either affixed or suffixed with the name of Prophet Mohammed. The same tradition we observe in  older Christian community. Although in Hindus, the culture of naming after the godly name is now in decline.

In between this epoch, once some familiar names like Shanky, Sweety, Happy, Lucky, Bablee etc too remained in vogue. But with the passing of time became less and less prevalent. Now, in Hindus nomenclature seems to follow after literary names. This rather sounds romantic. This fashion rather has been in vogue specifically in Bengali  Hindu community, from the very beginning. It sounds romantic and soothing, hearing those names. If you pronounce about twenty such Bengali names in a flow, it produces a ‘melodious poetic effect.’

                                 Hilarious naming 

This culture of naming sometimes produces a hilarious situation. Behind this naming is a cherished desire to become popular either.  I know a gentleman who assumed a nickname “daddy.” Not only this, along with, he insisted people that he be known by this name. It obviously sounded ridiculous to people, to call some other person as a daddy. In fact, every man is supposed to be in possession of a biological daddy. People too cunningly invented a solution to his whim, and began to call him “daddy” after the name of his children. Now he was called as “Shanky’s daddy or Sweety’s  daddy.” Some frivolous people even began to call him as “Sweety’s real daddy.”

The day came when he realized his fault. Now he implored people, not to call him with the nick name “daddy.”  But people did not give up. Even they began to send him invitation card with the caption, ” the real, biological daddy of Shanky and Sweety.” Finally, unanimously he was given a name, “real and genuine daddy” and he was forced to live with that that title. It seems, despite of all proverbial saying, the name bears a lot with it as a good deal. Penned by — Vinay Pharasi …..