Sunday, May 25, 2008

What's in a name?

Yeah, right. I guess when Shakespeare wrote this he wasn't thinking straight.

I am in a BIG dilemma. And it's because of my name! From the past 25 years, the name Nisha Punjabi has lived with me. Yes, its a unique name. And, to some, amusing as well.

Over the years it has raised eyebrows (So you're a Punjabi, huh? Nah, I'm a Sindhi. Long story. Just that a few families in my community have kept that surname. Really, why? No reason. Seriously, its a real surname.).
Over the years it has generated quite a few laughs
(Punjabi, hmm? Ok, I'm Ali lucknawi then. Haha, very funny.)
Over the years it has been an amusing topic of discussion between my classmates, friends and the whole wide world.(Punjab ka tempo - this was posted by a few notorious guys on my school van when I was 15!)
Over the years, people have sung songs while calling out my name (You just have to remember a few Sunny Deol numbers to call out to me)

Anyway, it might be amusing to some, but it's very dear to me. It's my identity. A lot of people know me by this. There was a time when I was writing for a local newspaper. I would like to assume some people remember me by this!Now here's the dilemma. After my wedding, I'll have to take the BOY's surname. It's not that I have to, I want to do that too. But if i keep my present name intact and add his name to mine, it would sound something like this:
Nisha Punjabi Takkar

After you finish laughing, you can read ahead! The BOY even translated it - since nisha = night - this name translates to The collision of Punjab(i) in the Night.
The only name that I have heard which is funnier is Ghamandi Lal Meena(It's a real name of a guy whose parents hated him or something!!)I really want people to remember my name. I don't mind them laughing at my face after hearing it.If I'm at a desk with a clerk with a bowed head, he would surely look up to see me! I would be smiling for sure. After all, what's a name that doesn't generate any curiosity! But sadly, everyone doesn't think like me. And so, I might have to depart with Punjabi.

It's really not fair. Can you solve this for me, please?

8 comments:

  1. haha wow..I did not know Nisha Punjabi was your real name. I mean Nisha yes I thought that was real, but I thought the second name was just you being overly proud of your heritage.

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  2. Wow, never thought of it that way - Nisha Punjabi Takkar! Lol!

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  3. Anonymous6/11/2008

    play with phonetics....change takkar to thakkar, or, well, change the hubbie

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  4. @nishaan...haha..overly pround of my heritagE!!

    @D..has lo has lo..imagine shaadi mein kis kis tarah ke probs ho sakte hain!!

    @pankaj..ne other ideas?? :)

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  5. Anonymous6/16/2008

    How about P T Nisha? Just checking...

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  6. who knows it better than me..reminds me of cathedral...hahahahahahaha:D

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  7. ha ha! wut a cute post! :-)) Nisha is a wonderful name. I like the sound of it and the image of a dark night with lots of stars.. :-))
    You can pbly just stick to Nisha..or may be Nisha Takkar. Or just be yourself(Nisha Punjabi) if that is what makes you most happy! It doesnt matter what the world thinks of your name. Its YOUR name after all. I remember being bullied and made fun of, because of my name, when I was in school. Kids can be nasty that way!

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  8. Hahaha! Your husband's translation is very funny! :D

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Your sweetness makes my day. Gentle criticism will be taken in the right spirit too :)