What's in a name?

What’s in a name?

Your name is your identity. That’s what you are and that’s what you’re called. It’s like your mobile number. If you change it and you’ll have to inform all the people you know and even the government! Even if you lose your number you can get a duplicate... you cant lose your name. You'll find it the next time someone calls you!

I remember those days when I whined long nights about my name. Is pra-ga-tham-bal really difficult to pronounce? Yeah, it is 4 syllables. And, it’s a goddess whom I’m named after. I remember how people looked at me when I said, “Hi, I’m Pragathambal from Tirupur.” “What from Tirupur?” Phew! I was quiet sick and tired of it until I saw this article in a popular Tamil magazine. This article was about a temple named after the goddess Pragathambal. This temple is in Tanjore and that’s all I could get from that article. I was overjoyed about knowing where the temple is. I could tell people that there is a temple now.

Truly, never felt bad about having such a name. It was unique. It is one thing that has stuck with me at all times! ;) (That’s how an optimist looks at it baby!) Seriously, the only thing sticking to me ever since I was named! Lol!

I've carried this name away from its origin... far and wide. Let's start with all the places... Switzerland, France, The Eiffel Tower, Basel, Amsterdam, London, Singapore and Hong Kong. That's a good list! :)

I haven't had people in Paris say, "What?? Praga.... ?? WHAT AGAIN??? Who named you this?"

It's just this reaction. So, how do I pronounce your name. Wait lemme try," 'pra-getham-ble' Sounds good?" ABSOLUTELY good! I love it when it is this way! It's exactly like how we Indians try to pronounce 'Dominique Cousteau.'

I love my slam books. A few quotes from my books...

"When I first heard your name I though you were one perfect 'pattikkadu'. However, later on I changed my notion about you. You rock girl!"

"Pragathambal... whosoever named you!! This name has brought you where you are now! Luv you"

This does feel nice... :) :) Well... as of now, I'm called Pragi. People find Pragi cool! (I do too) But, Pragathambal is me. I'm Pragathambal Veluswamy.

PRAGATHA - AMBAL
Pragatha - from pragathi meaning PROGRESS
Ambal - from the goddess ambal

That's what my name means! What does yours mean? Anything special? Anything unique? Put it on my comments!

Find yourself!

Harry Potter is for kids?! EH? What?!

I’ve seen this huge a line, to buy something on its first day only for Rajni Kanth movies. The final book of Harry Potter released on July 21/07. I was a part of this line myself… but a lot earlier than the other fans… I walked into shopper’s stop and asked for the book on June 21/07! Gulp! Scoops of embarrassment! I know… but the sales guy just looked, smiled and said what he had to. No advance bookings! First come first served!

I was narrating this incident to a colleague… the conversation went like this

“WHAT?? You actually read Harry Potter??”

“Well yes I do. What’s with the surprise!?!?”

“I cannot believe you read Harry Potter!”

“Didn’t I just tell you I do? What’s so hard to believe when I’m telling you myself?”

“The fact that you are reading HARRY POTTER!”

“The fact that I’M reading Harry Potter or the fact that I’m reading HARRY POTTER?”

“That tone was good…The second one!”

“What’s so surprising? Everyone reads Harry Potter!”

“You’re 21 Pragi!”

“Like I don’t know!!!!”

“OK listen… kids in school can afford to read such KIDDO books!”

“Haven’t I been though school? Haven’t I started reading right from school? It’s a book damn it! Anyone can read!”

I knew she was judging me, my attitude, my choice of things etc etc etc… it does not matter!

The fact that I read Harry Potter is that it’s a book. Simple. People read books. I could read a cookery book, a tribal book, an economics book and also a book with a language I cannot understand!

Now coming to the fact that I’m 21~ what’s wrong if you are 21? You cannot do what you did as a child?! You cannot dance and sing in the rain? You cannot read Harry Potter? When 21ers can sit for 3 hours and watch a movie like Om Shanthi Om… I can read Harry Potter!

What happens after someone is 21?

They go a little far away from parents?

Home seems like a big bore?

Friends look like life?

The ‘YO’ words come into picture?

‘Hanging Out’ is the best thing to do?

Damn it! I just read a book! You grow up kid… nah nah… YOU grow up kid…. You GROW UP kid… you grow up KID!!! It’s a world of choice and life! It’s what you want to do that you end up doing! I pity you’ve lost the child in you… I’m still alive! Alive and aloud! Wanna hear??!!! GROW UP YOU BACHHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

The little girl in me a lot alive and aloud! I know it! If you don't know where you lost you're little girl... Go FIND YOURSELF! You should have probably left her at the door of the pub you went to last night... or try checking the coffee shop you had a hookah in... could also be the mall you bought your OFF-NECK gown... or also the day someone told u they don't wear the bindi and from the next day u dint wear yours! LOL!!

Grow up kid... Find yourself!