The Name Game

One of the people who work with me goes by the name of Voltaire. Now I do not know much about the allegedly great French philosopher who used to answer to the same name, but if the 21st century version is anything to go by then the French man would have surely remained alleged. Yes I know that being judgemental is not a 'good' thing to do. I am not about to launch a scathing attack on either of the Voltaires. Simply because I do not know them well enough (but then, I am not the kind of person who would go about questioning other people's right to existence even if they were especially proficient in advertising their ineligibility for life). I once asked the Indian Voltaire what would he have named himself if he were given an option to choose another name for himself. His finger started digging for something on his head and his eye brows arched upwards as he strived to look at the heavens. His hopes were dashed however, as the ceiling of the room we were in came in way of his sight. Then he pronounced his verdict, " I would have chosen the name of Mao-Tse Tung." Imagine!! He was switchin over continents!! From the name that belonged to a liberal French philosopher, he was adopting, or would have liked to adopt, the name of the Father of Communist China. Before I could ask him, he went on to say why. He was a great fan of Mao's (no comments again)..and he believed that Mao was the true agent of Communism and not Marx or Engels or anyone of those European chaps. Moreover, he said, whenever he heard or saw the name of Mao- Tse Tung, he was reminded of his brother.
Reason: His brother's name was Mao-Tse Tung..

I asked no further questions.



September 2001

It is around 4 PM at our college and we are having our tea (and other things besides)at the mess hall. The scene is quite hostel-like..guys loafin about here and there, the most colorful of words filling the air...you have a four lettered F flying over your head and you hav a four lettered D going the other way..plus words in all sorts of language..some reputed, the others not so (the words I mean)..Diamond Michael comes walking into the mess for his cup of tea. His right hand is in its customary position (no it isn't where I know you think it is) -twirling a strand of hair on his head. Much so that he looks as though he were trying to create a twirl a-la Tintin. Diamond's name has fascinated people in our Hall. And though he wasn't anywhere precious to anyone of us, he was a gem nevertheless..

"Michael, do you have a sister named Ruby by any chance?" I ask..I am sure that if his name is Diamond, then his sister's has to be Ruby or Pearl or some sparkling name. I want to test my hypothesis.

"No Shainu I don't"

The author is crestfallen..though he is also slightly relieved that his hypothesis has been proved wrong..

"..But I do have a brother"

"And what's his name?" I ask?

"Emerald"



Next time you come across an interesting name, ask the carrier for the names of his/her siblings..chances are that they would be equally interesting..or have you had an experience similar to mine?


PS: The names in this blog are not at all fictitious. They refer to actual people who fortunately or unfortunately are either living or dead.