What's in a name?

It was some time in 1987, two weeks after the birth, I was given a name by my parents to help people address me. This very same name, twenty-two years down the line, would come up with a link to my blog in the very first page of the google search. Thus, giving the blog & its writer their own little moment in the celebrity world (At least, in the google world). It is with gratitude to this, that I write this post.

“Channabasava” was the name that certainly didn’t need any introduction during early years of my life. The name, originated after 12th century social reformer & spiritual preacher “Basavanna”, is as popular in my place as Rahul & Akshay were among Bollywood directors (Its no surprising, run of the mill stories would require protagonists with run of the mill names). As the followers of Basavanna- “The Lingayats”-are dominant sect in north Karnataka region, it wasn’t surprising to find every other guy in our street named either Channabasava, Basavaraj, or Basava. This also meant me, throughout my school days, staying under illusion that mine was simplest name to spell with letter ‘A’ being half of it. But that cloud would not remain for long once I put my foot down in land of coconuts.

As I landed, dint really, for once, think I would face problem with my name. After all, keralites were the most literate of all Indians. To write or pronounce a name would be piece of cake for them. But soon, all those high expectations would crumble. Through the first one week of my college life, my roommates, friends, & my college professor would show me the fallacies of this over-expectation. My time at Hostel rooms, Dining hall, Playground would all compound to misery unbearable. But nothing could do anything to match that inflicted at classroom. Every time at the end of the class, teacher would open attendance list & start announcing the names. The process would go at blistering pace( but for pauses at some northy names) until it would reach my name. The teacher would stare at it as if it was some unpronounceable Latin word. To save both, my teacher & myself, from any embarrassment I would suddenly give out my attendance, but not before him giving one or two tries at the name & everybody staring at me with the look- “What kind of name is that?”.

The wretchedness of this unpopular name reached new heights during my job as sales engineer. Anytime you meet a client, first thing you do is to take your hand out & say your name. “Sorry, come again” would be the next question from other end or else it would be a muted nod acknowledging that i do have a name. Trust me, there is nothing worse than repeating your name to the person who cant make anything of it, specially if he is meeting you the first time. But as with everything, like 2 faces of coin, even this had a good side. It was during the B-School interviews that something good came of this extraordinary name. No matter what, I was always ready with the answer to one question-“whats the meaning of your name??”

It does feel little awkward to hear people messing up with your name. But, I am not the one to lose sleep over it. Because it gives me a identity of my own. Atleast, if not anything, ‘a guy with weird name’.

PS: And I am yet to discuss the surname!