My News Feed is often bombarded with posts that define the stereotypes of
particular ethnic groups via some really amusing observations. But never once
did I come across a post that defines a Pahadi person, or people from
Uttarakhand to be more specific (we’re too modest, you know). So here is our
own list of a few conventional conceptions of a Pahadi!
No matter where they are born or
where they may live, here are some very usual traits found in people of our
community :D
1. “Ooijaa!” is our
homologue for OMG.
You’ve heard it, you’ve said it.
From a 5-year old kid to the 85-year-old Aama, this catchphrase comes out as an
involuntary reflex in a variety of situations.
2. ... And Baal Mithai for chocolate
Yes, as kids we all have been tricked at least once that it actually is a distant cousin of the Swiss Chocolate – The Pahadi Baal Mithai!
3. Most of us have almost itched our self to death at least once because of this weed:
It’s called Girardinia diversifolia (Shishon in local language). Statistics say
that 83% of the people who visit a typical hilly village in Uttarakhand have
been victimized by this weed which makes you wanna scrape your skin off.
(Ps: There is no statistic as such, I just used a Barney trick)
(Ps: There is no statistic as such, I just used a Barney trick)
4. We have childhood
memories of running around in a “Guguti ki mala” on Makar Sakranti.
For others, it is just another
holiday. Well it is almost the same for us too (:P) except for this neckpiece
our moms and aunts would make for us when we were kids. Besides this
traditional sweet, our edible toy had toffees and chocolates too, YAY!
5. .. And Aaloo ke
Gutkhe with Hari Chutney on Holi.
Well, this one prevails even when
you’re older. I wrote it only to get in sync with the previous point :P ..
Yummy, nevertheless.
6. Talking of food, a
day at our house is incomplete without at least one of the meals being
“Daal-Bhaat” (Pulses and Rice)
It’s been so long and I still
don’t get it, itna BHAAT kyun pasand hai humare logo ko!! We can compete with our
Southern Counter-parts when it comes to rice consumption, seriously.
 |
| EAT THE BHAAT! It's our only staple diet, kids!!! |
7. Unlike most of the
world, we are very well aware of the differences between a Garwhali and a
Kumaoni.
Yes, we belong to the same lovely
state yet we are different in our own lovely ways. It’s like we are two
different strains of the same bacteria (ok that wasn't a nice metaphor). But anyways, people just don’t get it at times!
8. We’ve have seen our
mothers and aunts in their own pair of that graceful huge nath (nose-ring) and/or the Picchor.
Now this is something I absolutely LOVE! Seeing the married women of the house in this traditional attire (even in Metros like Delhi) you can easily spot a Pahadi shaadi, naam-karan or any other function 50m from the venue. Don't they look just beautiful?
9. When it comes to
functions, it is almost criminal to not mention our weddings where the
“CHAAOMEEN” stalls are the first to run out of food.
I don’t know if it is because of
their love for spice or the state’s close proximity to China, but at our
weddings the Chowmein stalls are no less than a fish market. Everyone loves to
binge on noodles, age/caste/sex no bar!
10. And last but not
the least: Doesn’t matter which part of the country (or world they live), every
Pahadi is without an exception aware of “Tak Taka Tak Kamla” And “Bedu Pako”
This is what makes us groove and jive. If Uttarakhand was a country of
its own, one of these would be our National Anthem and the other our National
Song, no arguments on that!
