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A dictionary of translations

A note of caution: These translations have been solely dictated by the prevailing social norms. Any resemblance to any definition that you might have come across in any academic journal or a certified dictionary is practically impossible.

1. Bhadralok (gentlemen): “educated” middle class Bengalis exemplifying the proverb- “empty vessels sound much”

2. Mohila Samiti (a women’s organization): A dangerous congregation of mostly middle aged woman with a great interest in the personal life of other people. They believe it is their moral duty as well, to keep their locality pure of all social “impurities”

3. Jogyo patri (an ideal girl for marriage): A fair-skinned, educated but not too well-educated girl of about 20s with a docile attitude, who knows how to carry out all the house-hold chores to perfection, nurse children, look after her husband and in-laws in all sorts of situations.

4. Jogyo patro (an ideal man for marriage): Well educated young man of about mid 20s with a high-paying job, preferably in the IT sector and a bhadro family background.

5. Baje meye (bad girl): Upstart, with an ability to do something other than what the society dictates her to do, somebody who smokes pot and drinks publicly, gets a tattoo or a piercing done, somebody who has the guts to be herself in front of the society.

6. Baje chele (bad boy): Messy hair with an inclination towards western hip hop, rock or punk music, somebody who sometimes dares to dress up all in black, somebody who wears a track paint paired with a Panjabi to a wedding, somebody who dares to bring her girl friend home when his parents are not around, somebody who dares to be himself in front of the society.

7. O biye kobe korbe? (when will he/she get married?) : An eternal query of all middle aged house wives and relatives to the parents of unmarried children with a hidden attempt to figure out whether the prospective bride or groom is straight or not.