Tamil Nadu recently changed the names of 1018 areas as per their phonetic pronunciations in Tamil (Thamizh?). This phonetic renaming of places reminded me of a related incident that happened a few years back on my first solo cycle tour in India. It was a short tour of two 100+ km rides. Chennai to Kanchipuram, overnight stay. And then to Tiruvannamalai.

Being my first rides in India, I was unsure about the safety. As I started out, my mother called me and gave me a serious talking to, admonishing me to cancel this hare-brained plan.

Anyway, as it happened, Chennai to Kanchipuram via Mahabalipuram was a good ride. The second ride from Kanchipuram to Tiruvannamalai was also OK but with a few edgy incidents. One such incident was when I crossed the town of Cheyyar and rode towards Chetpet.

“Chetpet”: what’s in a name precious?

At the time, I didn’t think much about the name of this town and how it probably is totally anglicised. I was mostly concerned with selecting a good route. 

After so many years of cycling and solo traveling, I don’t generally follow planned routes. I choose the route on the ride, depending on various factors like traffic, scenery, feel and such.

So, I soon reached the Arni – Vandavasi road. One way was to head to Vandavasi, but that would increase my kms quite a bit. Ideally, I wanted to take a smaller road and cut straight towards Tiru.

I saw a local man sitting on a stone parapet bench by the roadside. A saree clad lady was sitting next to him.

Now, I barely know Tamil.

So the conversation went like this,

“Chetpet?” Hand signs asking which way?

“Aah?!”

“ChetttPayt”

This went on for a few times, the guy even consulted the lady next to him. 

She also shook her head.

“Aaah… teriada (don’t know)” shook his head.

I was really surprised because it was a commonplace matter to inquire with locals about the route ahead. And from his mannerisms he wanted to help (as with most locals). But …. 

it dawned on me that he didn’t know a place called Chetpet.

I was shocked. Was I in some wrong direction or place? 😯

This is a pretty serious matter for me, I was alone in the middle of a highway having to maintain my time to reach the destination. And the locals don’t know the big city I am heading to? How is this possible?

So I tried a few times….

Aaa Tiruvannamalai pongo, Cheyyar – Chetpet – Tiruvannamalai. Chetpet? Chaytpayt?

Aah Shettaapattuuya?

Me shocked.

Errr. Yes?

That name…

That’s when, it sunk in for me, well and good, this matter of anglicised place names. How crap it is.

The people who are so connected with the land, they don’t even recognise the “official” variant at times. While we urbans stay in our cocooned worlds filled with English entertainment, internet spaces and holier-than-thou debates and we only recognize the anglicised version. How can this be? And how is this divide to be bridged? Is it by “uplifting” the locals to become English savvy? Or is it the other way around?

Local people can connect deeply with traditional names

Earlier, I was ok with name changes. But since this incident, I have been really happy about it. When an Elphinstone road in Mumbai becomes Prabhadevi, I think of my Marathi speaking maid. Does “Elphinstone” mean anything to her at all? Prabhadevi definitely has an emotional connect for her. Innately, in her heart, she understands the meaning of those words. It is not an alien language with some unclear history. There are stories, legends, myths, beliefs associated with those words. 

When the Tamil government declared the recent name changes, I was happy. But I noticed that they have taken a phonetic approach which I feel creates a fairly serious spelling and grammar difficulty.

However, on my cycle trip, the phonetic spelling like Shettapattu was exactly what I needed to have one less scare on that ride.

There will be imperfections & initial difficulties

I am sure a lot of people will feel some names could be different, spellings could be easier etc. Also, local cultures are often so diverse in India that certain traditional names won’t be palatable to certain local communities (as is the case in Tulu Nadu / Mangaluru / Dakshin Kannada area from whatever little I know about the place).

The newly named Prabhadevi train station of Mumbai, is fairly far away from the already existing “Prabhadevi” area. So there is some confusion happening there.

And Chetpet still remains Chetpet. It didn’t find a place in the name change roster. Oh, well.

Much needed change of Gingee to Senji. Had checked with the car driver thrice when he told me the town named “Gingee” was pronounced as Senji.

Like what?!

Good this has been corrected. #NAMECHANGE pic.twitter.com/8U3KEhbkAW

— Priyanka Dalal (@priyankawriting) June 13, 2020

Despite all the troubles, I think, reverting to the traditional names of places, is a key matter for our country. And the confusions caused will get sorted over time but it will have a deeper impact of connecting the different segments of Indian people.

Interestingly, the Supreme Court recently heard a PIL to change India’s name to Bharat.

And about that cycle ride,

Scares and all, the ride was good but pretty raw. It was drizzling all through out and in the last few kms it started pouring heavily.

Anyway, I reached Tiruvannamalai and the Ramanasramam (Ramana Ashram) by 5pm.

Well in time to settle in, visit the temple and have the scrumptious ashram dinner 🙂

PS: I am writing a short book on this ride from Kanchipuram to Tiruvannamalai. If you would like to be intimated when it releases, please sign up for my newsletter below 🙂