Nicknames II

The come the Karthiks , AK, GK and SK ; all of them called smarty in variable contexts, though the name is most associated with SK. Then follows bajji’s memsaab kavitha , called meen kaari for her voice and the noise she generates(its got nothing to do with her appearance though). Following her is kundhavi shortly called Kuvi and the lean mean guy called Malli. Then comes the big one called poppy- was he called so because he was under the influence most of the time; next to him is the small fighter called murugesn , named ninjak for his karate training in the first year. Next to this introvert comes the born extrovert , who never seemed to have a trouble in starting a conversation with anyone on anything – the Iyer as nagraj anand was called. The big boys were loaded in this batch- next came the leader of mafia- I don’t think you can have a name for the gang leader Naveen chow.

Next was my chris friend , who was called mini( short for Padmini) , but her smile was big, I guess?! Then came the guy with looks of a gentleman even in his first year; and the way he was serious about his studies earned him the title of Professor directly!! Following him was another hunk , Prashanth who didn’t feel hurt at being called a bihari! Following him is a present day colleague, who didn’t have a flattering name thanks to her “cylinder”ical appearance – sorry about the physical comment – but she now looks a lot leaner, but I guess she has lost the smile and mischief in her eyes nowadays. Then was Priyadarshini , called paatti , probably for the way she could keep on talking ( but what I hear now is she does not have much time to say even a hi to her friends!). Next come the guys who were responsible for most of these names- rajan and mahendran. Rajan could not be given any other name than EP for fear of retaliation; but mahendran was not to be spared, though he was one guy , whom you never wanted to be on the wrong side, he was called minnal (he liked it ) and also apple boy for his plump face( guess he didn’t like it much!) . Contrasting that active guy is the saintly looking ramesh , called baba. The next one, sangeeta’s was a smaller version of the name Praveena had. Next was a smart guy, one time Mr .KMC with loads of attitude , called paruppu for the same and he also had a name called rahul?

Then comes my oors selva who was called “giant” for his physical appearance and his other one was an unflattering jo___( sorry machi , enna next time pakkum pothu adikka matte nu nambaren!). Following him was his alter ego, the one and only peter of the batch ( I don’t have to give an explanation for the name!). Then comes my dearest buddy, captain – though he was called “bulb” for the surprise expression he gave always!! I am leaving out some of the unsavory and unparliamentary nicknames in order to avoid hurt; sivakasi sridevi had a name relating to her liking for tea!

Not for nothing was this guy with the post graduate degree even during his UG period –MD – though they were his initials- was called IB garu (intelligent boy). My UG and PG batch mate was called suppi/ super ja , I have skipped a word in between , I guess! Then was the golden guy thangam who was called thaadi even though he dint have a big one – another misnomer.

Following these are my real good unit mates , with whom I guess I can take liberty! To start with was vani – she had a name – kajol – running for the hairstyle with which she returned after a vacation (1st year /2^nd year- I forgot). But more common amongst us was the way she pronounced V e e r a with a drag!!(But she could have missed noticing that drag). Though it’s by me, I think I got to accept that we have that name that still sticks to us – butter boys – we still take it as a compliment, though it looks and is left handed. We had names amongst us – veer was called gundu boy by Vijay - though he looks a lot fitter after struggling without proper food in the US. I don’t remember if I had a name- everyone called me by full name – though I am more used to being called IV I school.

I pause to think if I should hold back my friend vidya’s name ; ok I think she is quite a friend now to be hurt by that- anyways we had already told her the name we had when there was a thaw in our tom and jerry relation , towards the end of the internship! When we told the name – psych- for her scooting during the internship – she was actually relieved to hear that! She was expecting something very bad from us , without realizing the nice guys within us!! Vijay was variously called vichu mama and chalak chalak for the way he restlessly moved his legs during sleep! Vishranthi was always nice to me , so I never used a nickname for her. Dear vivek was called EV – standing for editor vivek – not elicha vaayan as is the common belief

That sums it up! This has taken a Sunday afternoon and evening; but its been worth going down the memory lane for me (sorry couldn’t avoid the cliché)

Apologies to anyone if at all they read and get hurt and promises to remove the offensive segments