We
always feel that how did we get our name. What was the thought in our parents'
mind that stirred them to name us with a specific name. When I sat with my
friends, we raised a topic of names. Lot goes in to name someone, isnt it? Some
are named after flower, some, after their grandmother or grandfather, some
after victory, some after favourite goddess and so on. When everybody was
telling the tales of their own life and how they ended up with that particular
name, I was pretty amazed to tell mine too. French fries and Ice tea spiced
with mint were there to make all of them listen with complete eagerness to my
story. As I love telling tales laced with fictional themes, I am pretty sure
that people will not go bored by listening to me. So here I am with my very own
story
Story begins
The
day was bright and happy. It was the month of October. Usually Chennai is known
for its scorching sun and intense heat, Reema and Mahesh felt that it would
rain any minute. Reema was happy and cheerful as she had seen enough of the
heat. As she was carrying a tummy full baby of 8 months old, she wanted some
weather change. Rain gods showed mercy and for an expecting mother and a full
grown infant, it rained. The clouds came. It turned gloomy all over and it
rained cats and dogs. In a few days, Reema and Mahesh were going to welcome
their baby soon. But what about their two year old son? Was he equally excited?
No he was not. He feared the competition that he would have to face as the
newcomer would take far more attention than he. He was disappointed and was not
at all ready to give the baby a warm welcome. But truth was truth and he was
soon going to have a baby sister or brother to fight with him and laugh with
him.
Thaiyamma
returned after her morning walk. She was the one who acted as a midwife and
handled all the deliveries in that particular street in Kanchipuram. Her name
Thaiyamma came from the very fact that she gave the joy of motherhood to mother
and child both as we all know that if mother gives birth to a child, child is
more responsible for mother's rebirth. Hence, Thaiyamma emerged as a godmother
to many mothers.
That
day she was not feeling well. Even in that state, she came to have a look at
Reema. Mahesh was on tour and had to go to Mumbai for a fortnight. Reema was
with her 2 year old son Rishi. As soon as she saw Thaiyamma come to her home,
she fetched a glass of water and gave it to her. Thaiyamma did not have child
but treated every mother as her own daughter. She poured her love and joy in
each and every household. Rishi sat in Thaiyamma's lap and was showing his
drawings. The two enjoyed each other's company for a while when Thaiyamma saw
couple of books with names. She asked if Reema and Mahesh has come up with any
name for their new arrival. Reema smiled. She said that the search is on and
would come up with a nice name soon. Reema gave Thaiyamma a cup of coffee and
Thaiyamma left Reema's place joyfully. She checked Reema;s health and asked her
to take rest. Reema felt at peace as Thaiyamma acted as a pillar of strength
during this time.
Reema
went back to her search. She checked lot of books. She liked some but curiosity
to search more gripped her. As the days went by, the tension increased in her
mind. She had to be ready with a name, she thought. She had scribbled few names
in her diary. The names were Vidya, Sukanya and many others which she and
Mahesh had equally liked.
Reema loved to read books. That was the
novelty which she always loved to invest on. After finishing the household
chores, she returned to her book world. Rishi also took to reading because of
her. That was the jolly good time she had when Mahesh left her with Rishi. She
could splurge on books. Those days, Vikatan and Kumudam was in vogue. Every
household had a pile of books which had lot of informative articles and many
gossips related to political and film world.
One
afternoon, after her daily routine of putting Rishi to bed after his school
hours, she went to have a look at Kumudam, she read few articles and saw
colourful pictures of actresses and actors. As she was flipping the pages, she
saw Bhagyaraj and his wife with a babygirl. She was looking so innocent as she
lay in their arms. She was tiny and neatly tucked with a white cloth. The
interest to read increased in Reema's mind. Bhagyaraj and his wife were
welcoming their daughter. The daughter's name was Saranya. A spark came over
Reema's mind. As if the universe sent some hidden message to her, her eyes
twinkled after reading that name. She spelled that name again and again. She
was not aware of her senses but she was taking that name for more than 5
minutes. Rishi moved a little hearing his mother's soft whisper. As if the sign
of the almighty, Rains came all of a sudden. Reema thought this is how it
should be. I will name my daughter as Saranya. She quickly checked the meaning
of the name. The first name of Goddess Durga. She will have lot of power and
she will never fear of anything. She will ward off the evils and she will stand
up for herself.
One month later
Thaiyamma
sat with Reema and her new infant "Saranya". She was overjoyed by
seeing the baby. The baby looked healthy and winked at her. Rishi sat in
Mahesh's lap. All were looking beautiful. Thaiyamma thought, this is a perfect
family. A picture perfect would be the right word.
This post is part of Project 365 daily post.
Whats your name? What is the meaning of your name? How did you get it?
