Whats in a name? Part One.

I saw an episode of Seinfeld a couple of days back. It touched a nerve in me.

Basically, George was complaining to Seinfeld about how he doesn't have a cool nickname. And so he sets out to have one for himself.

It got me thinking too. I too don't have a real cool nick name. In fact, my name itself is not that cool. Different: absolutely. Cool: am not too sure. And, I think the way my name has been (mis)pronounced by all and sundry, is probably the closest thing I've had to a nickname.

So, in this post, I will discuss my name per se and in the next one, will talk about my nicknames.

The various ways in which my name has been pronounced:
1. Jawahar
2. Jawagar
3. Jawar - This is easily the most common way people call me.
4. Jaahar - A neighbour of mine used to call me like this when we both were kids
5. Jagagar - Apparently when I was a toddler or just getting out of being one, there was a girl of the same age, who used to call me that. I don't recollect all this, but have heard my mother talk a lot about it. She also mentioned that the kid was usually quite scared of me.
6. Jaawahare - my first boss in L.A used to call me like that
7. Jaawahar - bunch of folks in L.A again
8. Jaawaahaar - my second boss (afftly referred to as paithiyakaari in my circles) in L.A
9. Jawahaar - one of my colleagues in L.A again

Technically, my name is supposed to be pronounced "Jawaahar". And everyone who has nothing to do with TamilNadu calls me like that only.

I am also slowly starting to pronounce my name the same way.

And just in case anyone has a doubt over what the meaning of the name is, Jawaahar is derived from 'Jawaaharaath' - which is an urdu/persian/hindi word that denotes 'precious stones'.

So at least by nomenclature, I am a precious stone.

And based on the name, I've been asked any of the following questions by near total strangers:
1. Are you Muslim? - One guy, who later became a good friend, once went ahead to check with me about the reservation in educational institutes for minorities. Another guy wished me for one of the Muslim festivals!
2. Are you from North India? - 6/10 times, this is a primary question. The other 4 times, it would have come up the instant I replied in the negative to question #1.
3. Are your parents big fans/members of the Congress party? - A variant of this would usually be if my family has a big freedom fighter.
4. Were you born on Nov 14? - This is actually a very rare question, but I've been asked it a couple of times.

So, to set the record straight: I am not a Muslim. I am not a North Indian. My parents are not fans/members of the Congress party. Nor is anyone a big freedom fighter. And I was definitely not born on Nov 14.

I was born on Oct 29. My mom had a C-section to deliver me. And it was nearly 10 days before she was discharged. And a periyappa of mine wanted the name Praveen or Arjun to be kept. But due to the hospital issues and all that, my naming ceremony was held on Nov 14. So, the same periyappa suggested that I be named in memory of India's first Prime Minister. That's all.

Side Note: According to a Sudanese taxi driver I interacted with (in Melbourne), my name is used for girls in his part of the world! Any normal person might have been offended, but not me. After seeing and interacting with a gazillion 'Muthu's and 'Manickam's and the likes, I only stashed the driver's comment as a piece of information in my brain.

Now coming to the nicknames..