Page 47 - Seniors Toady - September Issue 2020

Communities

Arre,

maraaychay kaay?

While Marathi is our mother tongue, sarcasm is our second language, writes
Gouri Dange, who was born and brought up in Mumbai and acquired a
degree in Being Thoroughly Maharashtrian after her move to Pune

(All the characters here are entirely real, proclaiming “Guest is God”. Our front
and resemblance to anyone you know is door, however, will greet you with the
not a coincidence at all – of course, with the terse suggestion: “Slippers here.” Note the
rider that there are honourable exceptions to economy of words – lesser mortals would
every stereotype.) have wordily said: “Kindly remove your
slippers here”). Other such injunctions
Hello, Myself Marathi-Manus. You may have include: “Ring the bell, and WAIT” or
heard of us, for several reasons, but getting “Salespeople and hawkers will be handed
to know us is hard work, and the Rest-of- over to the police”.
India better be prepared. We enjoy being Once you’ve run that gauntlet, and been
difficult. Look at our name, to start with: allowed entry – but only after a good, long
Ma-ha-ra-sh-tri-an. Multisyllabic. Thirteen two-minute inspection from the peep-hole
letters long, with four As in it. Plus, you have – chances are that you’ll be left to find a
to think of us in super-duper terms at once, place to sit, while the family disappears
what with that ‘Maha’ in there. Maha=Great. inside to wear shirts and pull on trousers
Most entrances to homes greet you with a over their banyans and striped boxer shorts
‘Welcome’ mat, or maybe a pair of plaster – the “Kulkarni Bermudas”. That done,
hands in Namaste pose, or even a sticker it is not unusual for us to announce, “We

SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #15 | SEPTEMBER 2020 47