I am currently on my way back from Singapore having spent an enjoyable week here.My younger sister,
Tina, joined me for the first few days followed by an official training that I
had to attend. It was our first trip traveling together and despite disagreeing
on almost everything (right from which flight to take to which hotel to stay
and places to visit!) we eventually did have a lovely time. Although clicking
her umpteen photographs at each location was a tiring task, with her, we
explored places which I wouldn’t have on my own.
On one of the days, we visited the scenic “Gardens by the Bay”, a 100
hectare nature park in the city centre. Whilst coming back, we decided to ask
an elderly indian uncle who was enjoying his Saturday outing with family in the
park about where we could find a taxi from as we didn’t want to walk all
the way back. I was speaking in Sindhi
with Tina as we were walking towards him. As soon as we asked him for assistance,
he immediately responded “Sindhi aayein chaa”? (Are you a Sindhi?). I nodded
and then like a family member he explained to us in detail about the route,
about the light show that was scheduled to take place later in the evening and
also offered to book a taxi for us via mobile app for us. Seeing him talking to
us for a long time, his wife too walked towards us and then laughingly said “Oh, seems like you
are Sindhis!” Both Tina and I think she
was also slightly surprised at her husband spending so much time explaining
Singapore routes to strangers. However, Sindhi lineage proved to be a great
conversation starter and very helpful as well. I am thankful to uncle for his
kind assistance.
On another day, when we were at Singapore Zoo, I bumped into a family
who were speaking in chaste Sindhi. They seemed to be a Muslim family as the
lady was dressed in Islamic attire. They were a family of three members –
parents and their daughter who seemed to be in college. They were reading the
menu and deciding what to eat. Seeing them speak in Sindhi , I excitedly asked –
Are you Sindhis? The father looked at me
for a while and then replied “No, we are Memons” in Sindhi. Remembering my
previous encounter with another Memon gentleman in Bangalore few years back, I inferred
that they might be Pakistani citizens living probably in Karachi. Given paucity of time, I couldn't interact more with them.
On the last day, I met a friend from my business school days after
almost 9 years. She is a Marwari (vegetarian) and hence we decided to
meet at an Indian vegetarian restaurant, Kailash Parbat. It is owned by Mulchandani family
and is a well-known chain in Mumbai that has over years expanded into Singapore , Dubai and New York as well. I have been to their restaurant a couple of times in Mumbai and like their food.It was heartening to see that they serve “Sindhi dishes” in their
Singapore restaurant as well and have a wonderful picture of Lal Sain at the
cashier counter.(see below). I was personally surprised to see Bhee ( Lotus Stem) featuring in the menu. I never thought that Bhee (of all things) would be served in the restaurant.
It is experiences like these that give me hope that (perhaps) all is
not lost (yet)!
I end with this wonderful poem shared by my cousin elder sister, Kajal
Teckchandani (nee Mittal). We recently spoke about how her growing up memories
and she mentioned about this nursery rhyme. I also provide a link to young
Namrata Kataria reciting this poem as a part of Sindhi Sangat’s Nursery rhyme
competition which is aimed at encouraging kids to pick up the language.
I hadn’t heard this before, so thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you too like it. Thanks Kajal didi for sharing this.
Paiso
Ladhum Pat Taan
Paiso Ladhum Pat Taan
Paise Wattho Ghaa
Ghaa Dinum Gaayen Khe
Gaayen Dinno Kheer
Kheer Dinno Amma Khe
Amma Dinno Lolo
Lolo Dinum Kaawn Khe
Kaawn Dinno Khumb
Khumb Dinum Raja Khe
Raja Dinno Ghodo
Chadi Ghum Chadi Ghum
Chandan Patakho
Jiye Mungho Kako
Kako Waitho Maadi The
Gul Hadanse Daadi The
Amma Waithi Kothe The
Gul Hadanse Choti The
Chadi Ghum
Chadi Ghum
Chandan Patako
Jeiye Mungo Kako
Paise Wattho Ghaa
Ghaa Dinum Gaayen Khe
Gaayen Dinno Kheer
Kheer Dinno Amma Khe
Amma Dinno Lolo
Lolo Dinum Kaawn Khe
Kaawn Dinno Khumb
Khumb Dinum Raja Khe
Raja Dinno Ghodo
Chadi Ghum Chadi Ghum
Chandan Patakho
Jiye Mungho Kako
Kako Waitho Maadi The
Gul Hadanse Daadi The
Amma Waithi Kothe The
Gul Hadanse Choti The
Chadi Ghum
Chadi Ghum
Chandan Patako
Jeiye Mungo Kako
