Like with all other things, interesting events happen in life when one least expects them. I am reminded of my interaction with an elderly "Memon" gentleman a year or so ago. I was in Bangalore on a business trip and was staying at Lemon Tree hotel (incidentally owned by another Sindhi, Mr. Patanjali (Patu) Keswani). After having packed my suitcase and getting all ready to attend to office work and then take the flight back to home, I went down to have breakfast at the coffee shop when an elderly gentleman came and sat on the adjoining table. He was in his late fifties/ early sixties and was busy reading something on his mobile phone with his reading glasses on. As i was ordering the server to get me some tea, he looked at me and smiled. I greeted him back. As the waiter left, he inquired where I was from and what made me visit Bangalore. This started a conversation and he suggested i could shift to his table as it would be easier to converse; something I did not mind.
I told him about my background and the company that I work for. He listened carefully and then inquired if I was a Sindhi. I replied in affirmative to which he smiled and told that he was a Muslim Memon based in South Africa. His forefathers migrated to South Africa around a century ago and he was visiting India to visit his ancestral village in Gujarat (Kathiawar) and to provide funds for some charitable work in his village.
I inquired from him the reason for him asking about my being a Sindhi. He replied that in 1980's he was on a business trip to Hong Kong where he was being hosted by a Sindhi family for dinner. When he went to their home, the ladies in the house were busy with preparing the meals in the kitchen and were speaking in Sindhi. He told the host that the language seemed very familiar to him ; to which his host replied - "Of-course Saeen it will sound familiar, you are a Memon". Whilst I did not understand the meaning of "him being a Memon" at that particular moment, I still nodded in agreement. He then jokingly asked in Sindhi " Tuhinjo Naalo Chaa Aaye?" (What is your name?) . By this time, his wife had also come down for breakfast and I wasn't sure if I should still continue being with the couple ; so I politely ended the conversation there and came back to my room.
Given my general inquisitiveness, I came back to my room and searched about Memon's. It is then that I understood that Memon community originated in Thatta region of Sindh and perhaps that was the reason for his host's comments. Wikipedia mentions:- "
I find it fascinating how such simple conversations with a complete stranger can remain with you for so long.
On a separate note, today (21st January) is also the death anniversary of Shaheed Hemu Kalani, who is also referred to as "Bhagat Singh of Sindh". He was a Sindhi revolutionary and freedom fighter during the Indian Independence Movement. Radio Voice of Sindh, UK ran a special program on his death anniversary (2016) to which I provide a link below for those who may be interested. The language of the program is Sindhi. ( I must confess that I too understand only 50% of the actual words spoken).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NE0NxVeCpQ
I inquired from him the reason for him asking about my being a Sindhi. He replied that in 1980's he was on a business trip to Hong Kong where he was being hosted by a Sindhi family for dinner. When he went to their home, the ladies in the house were busy with preparing the meals in the kitchen and were speaking in Sindhi. He told the host that the language seemed very familiar to him ; to which his host replied - "Of-course Saeen it will sound familiar, you are a Memon". Whilst I did not understand the meaning of "him being a Memon" at that particular moment, I still nodded in agreement. He then jokingly asked in Sindhi " Tuhinjo Naalo Chaa Aaye?" (What is your name?) . By this time, his wife had also come down for breakfast and I wasn't sure if I should still continue being with the couple ; so I politely ended the conversation there and came back to my room.
Given my general inquisitiveness, I came back to my room and searched about Memon's. It is then that I understood that Memon community originated in Thatta region of Sindh and perhaps that was the reason for his host's comments. Wikipedia mentions:- "
The Memon community was
founded in the 15th century by 700 families comprising 6,178 persons total.According
to Anthovan, those Lohanas of Thatta
who converted to Islam became Memons and were invited by Rao Khengarji Jadeja,
ruler of Bhuj in the 16th century,
to settle in Bhuj. It is from there that Kutchi Memons migrated to Kathiawar and mainland Gujarat. Surat in Gujarat was an important trading
centre from 1580 to 1680 and Memons made their bounty there.Memons became
significantly affluent as a result of trading in Surat.
I find it fascinating how such simple conversations with a complete stranger can remain with you for so long.
On a separate note, today (21st January) is also the death anniversary of Shaheed Hemu Kalani, who is also referred to as "Bhagat Singh of Sindh". He was a Sindhi revolutionary and freedom fighter during the Indian Independence Movement. Radio Voice of Sindh, UK ran a special program on his death anniversary (2016) to which I provide a link below for those who may be interested. The language of the program is Sindhi. ( I must confess that I too understand only 50% of the actual words spoken).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NE0NxVeCpQ
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