Marathi Archives

Hum, Tum, Aur Aap: Why the Insipid “You” Can Never Match the Intimacy of Hindi Pronouns

People seeped in the homogeneity of English and its pervading usage of “you” may rarely notice the gravitas that pronouns can lend to a language. But in Hindi, pronouns define more than people: They define regions, cultures, levels of civility, and even intimacy.

Runjhun Noopur July 8, 2016

People

“Ughich Kashala?” The Two Words That Kill All Maharashtrian Dreams

The attitude of most Maharashtrians can be summed up in two words: Ughich kashala? Literally translated, it means “needlessly why”? It is the reason why we Maharashtrians are diabolically lazy and spectacularly unambitious.

Ramjaane July 8, 2016

Modern Family

Shaadi Ke Side Effects: When a Maharashtrian Marries a Marwari

Maharashtrians are frugal, Marwaris are shaukeen. A Maharashtrian’s wedding budget is a Marwari’s lehenga budget. I married a Marwari and though our cultures take us in two different directions, we’ve found a place to make things work. It’s called midway.

Ramjaane May 28, 2016

Pop Culture

Why Bigg Boss Marathi Reminds Me of My Life in a Chawl

Bigg Boss Marathi reminds me of my life in a chawl – a bunch of Maharashtrians stuffed in one single dwelling with a common bathroom and kitchen. Host Mahesh Manjrekar is like the Ray-Byan-wearing kaka from another shakha and Usha Nadkarni is the judgemental aai of the House.

Damian D'souza May 4, 2016

POV

Aata Majhi Satakli: What’s Pissing the Marathi Manoos Off?

There’s a certain breed of Maharashtrian man who believes it’s his birthright to bully and beat. We recently saw the Always Angry Marathi Manoos, not to be confused with just the Marathi Manoos, in action when MNS workers beat up a multiplex manager in Pune.

Mrunali Shinde April 23, 2016

POV

Mi Marathi… Fakt When Convenient

In most of Mumbai, speaking basic-level Marathi is considered social currency. We rudimentary Marathi speakers are adept at doing “jhol” and possess an expertise in facilitating “mandavalee” with cops.

Jackie Thakkar April 13, 2016