WHAT’S IN A NAME?
“What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.” Juliet’s proclamation that Romeo with any other name would still be her true love became a reference for generations to come. And what a brilliant thought it is!
Really…what’s in a name?! Critically evaluating my urge to buy a ‘kaftan’ online, I tried to ignore its suspicious resemblance to a ‘nightie’ or a gown (or 'ugly sac' as I had called it many times). ‘You hate nighties Ammi’ said the astute Junior lounging next to me. ‘But this is a kaftan!’ My feeble reply was met with a predictable eye-roll.
What’s in a name?.. I should know better, with my auto response of yes-I-am-a-Mulla-no-I-am-not-Parsi.
We-the-strange buy Wadala flats in New Cuff Parade, Washington apples in Mumbai, and brand new ‘distressed furniture’ from boutique stores. Get name-calling right and one can do almost anything!
Call a doctor a corona warrior and we don’t need to pay them.
Call a man-made catastrophe an act-of-God and get rid of accountability
Call a man head-of-the-house to enlist him as Chief Patriarch.
Call a dead victim Nirbhaya, make her a legend, and appropriate her story.
As long as the name is apt, object and context can take a back seat. Kya farak padta hai?
They say the truth shall set us free. But what does one do when the truth is wrapped in a name, in a brand, powerfully altered by layers and layers of camouflage? I was taught to call a spade a spade. Now I am instead busy proving the spoon you see in my hand is actually a spade.
There’s also the curious case of name-reverance. Casually surfing through the news, watching a broadcast about the death of an actor, I heard Senior mumble distractedly, “They only say good things about someone after death. Like the living just become nicer once they die.” Strange how our names are upgraded after they stop mattering to us.
The only people who can afford to ask ‘what’s in a name?’ are those who have the right one. Who have been using their names as entry passes to opportunities. Who are also affronted when some opportunities are offered or reserved for those with wrong names- because reduction of entitlement feels like atyaachaar.
Those of us who can, begin using our names to suit our purpose. To use own privilege or abuse someone else’s, to exploit an opportunity or prevent another’s access to it.
Sidney Sheldon says in one of his brilliant stories - Sands of Time, that the difference between a rebel and a patriot depends upon who is in power at the moment. Whether one is great or not, rebel or patriot, nationalist or anti-national, depends on who gets the power to name call. Before blindly consuming the labels being stuck on those around us, we may want to think about this.
But think of it we must. Because you see, when Juliet says ‘what’s in a name?”, she’s actually mourning that everything IS actually about the name. She would have loved Romeo no matter who he was. But because he is named "Montague" the sworn enemies of Juliet’s family, her love was not permissible. Their story ends in a tragedy because ladies and gentlemen, the rose was sadly called a rose.
What’s in a name? as poor Romeo would have told you - everything.
