Page 50 - Seniors Toady - September Issue 2020
P. 50
unsmiling, matter-of-fact way. An 85-plus
south-Indian retired police officer and his
invalid wife, stuck without help during
recent lockdowns, describes how, wordlessly,
three Maharashtrian families in his building
began a relay of breakfast, lunch and dinner
dabbas to them. This also included ordering
them every other day to don their masks,
stay put in one room, while one neighbour
Maharashtrian audiences have traditionally delighted or the other came and swept and swabbed
classical music performers with their turnout
the floors and cleaned the bathrooms. As
the lift too much, till all odd hours of the the senior puts it: “But if we try to thank
night”. We might hang around a cricketer’s them, they run away mumbling something
home to catch a glimpse or have our kids and looking so awkward. Why do you
photographed with him, but film stars….. Maharashtrians not like that word thank
naaah - or “shyaa” as we like to say, when you?”
at our dismissive best. Hindi not being ‘Abrupt’ is our middle name. No elaborate,
our strong point, we might say peevishly formal, polite conversations for us.
to the rickshaw driver who slows down to Displaying affection, paying and accepting
gawk at a passing film star: “Arre, amchya compliments, making small talk…we just
paas Sachin hay, tarr iss bandar ko kyon can’t or won’t do it. Greet one of us with a
baghnayka?” hug, and we’re likely to go stiff and subtly
While Marathi is our mother tongue, ward you off with a rigid palms-outward
sarcasm is our second language. We learn pre-emptive move. If you step back and say
it at our granny’s knee. Maharashtrian “You’re looking lovely,” we’ll look away and
Moms specialise in giving their kids a mumble or make some silly joke and change
reality check at every opportunity. Other the subject fast. Don’t expect a simple ‘thank
kids are complimented with a “What a you’, and furthermore, don’t ever expect to
sweet child you are,” when they behave. be complimented in return. We wouldn’t
The Maharashtrian child is rewarded with: know how.
“Wah….today you’re giving your stupidity a Now go read something else. It’s our lunch
rest?” time.
We’re caustic…even when we are being
helpful. The first Marathi words that non-
Marathi speakers quickly learn from the bus
conductors is: “Arre…. maraaychay kaay?”
(“Hey…want to fall to your death?”) It’s just
our way of telling you to come to the front of
the bus and not risk your life on the crowded
footboard.
No thank-yous, please If you had visions of chai and pakodas in a gruff Maha-
We can be extremely helpful, but in our rashtrian home, you’re in the wrong part of India
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