There cannot be a better place on earth like India to claim the title of a melting pot of cultural diversity. The way of life vastly varies from the North to the South, from the East to the West, and the Indian States are largely demarcated by their major linguistic usance.
With a much lesser population, the Western world could maintain records of family trees, which was not possible in a large country like India. Roots were, therefore, embedded in personal names, which often contained the village of origin, office of authority of their ancestors, trade of their ancestors, first name, which often was the father’s, given name, caste and clan. The names were, thus, a unique identity system of ancient times. A few had titles added to their names, like Agnihotri and Bharadwaj, which also denoted their gotra, their ancient lineage, dating to the sages with the names. Avoidance of same gotra marriage prevented genetic mismatch like a marriage between siblings.
My forefathers were reformists, offloading progressively the long names, which otherwise would have made opening a bank account difficult for me with my full name printed on the chequebook. My name, unaltered, would have read, “Vilanguppam-Gattam-Srinivasa Tatachari-Sampath-Kumara-Iyengar.” Thankfully, it was Srinivasan Sampath Kumar and further shortened as S. S. Kumar, for the convenience of the many I come across around the world.
Many Indians did not use surnames when the British landed in India. Many names explain the trades the persons are engaged in. A few examples: Tiwari-scholar versed in three Vedas, Agarwal-merchants, Kapadia-textile trade-related, Patel-Village headman, Saini-landowners, Singh-(Lion) for most Sikhs, Kumar-hill dweller or potter and also the son of Lord Shiva, Ram-charming, Ray or Rai-King.
The Parsees who landed in Mumbai took to various trades. Their trade became their family names like Engineer, Batliwala, Gheewala, Daruwala, or their place of living like Tarapore Wala, Kalyani Wala, or Thane Wala, which are not uncommon. I am yet to meet a Sodabottleopener Wala and do not know what a Screw Wala ever did!
Some surnames sound like abuse, like Chutia, Chodha, and Swine but are still prevalent. Parkarvarkar (lift your petticoat), Zurle (cockroach), Bhoote (Ghost), Makde (monkey), Undhir (rat), Gadhve (donkey), Kutte (dog), Landge (wolf are also some embarrassing surnames in use.
In Tamil Nadu, one can frequently come across surnames like Napoleon, Kennedy, Gandhi, Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Tagore, Lenin and Stalin (the current CM of Tamil Nadu). A few also have complicated names like Azakiyamanavalan, Kazakakanmanidasan etc., with usual prefixes and suffixes.
A clerk in the Edn. Deptt. In M.P. has a name 26 January Tailor. He was born on the 26th of January and thus named as such, Tailor being his surname.
In all, names are given and are carried by persons, often without alteration and with pride, regardless of how it may sound otherwise. That is the uniqueness of India as a nation.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
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Yes absolutely true
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