In Singapore Zoo, a family was speaking in chaste Sindhi. , I excitedly asked – Are you Sindhis? The man looked at me for a while and then replied in Sindhi, “No, we are Memons”.
Milind Teckchandani
I am currently on my way back from Singapore having spent an enjoyable week here. My younger sister, Tina, joined me for the first few days followed by an official training that I had to attend. It was our first trip traveling together and despite disagreeing on almost everything (right from which flight to take to which hotel to stay and places to visit!) we eventually did have a lovely time. Although clicking her umpteen photographs at each location was a tiring task, with her, we explored places which I wouldn’t have on my own.
On one of the days, we visited the scenic “Gardens by the Bay”, a 100 hectare nature park in the city center. Whilst coming back, we decided to ask an elderly Indian uncle who was enjoying his Saturday outing with family in the park about where we could find a taxi from as we didn’t want to walk all the way back. I was speaking in Sindhi with Tina as we were walking towards him. As soon as we asked him for assistance, he immediately responded “Sindhi aayein chaa”? (Are you a Sindhi?). I nodded and then like a family member he explained to us in detail about the route, about the light show that was scheduled to take place later in the evening and also offered to book a taxi for us via mobile app for us. Seeing him talking to us for a long time, his wife too walked towards us and then laughingly said “Oh, seems like you are Sindhis!” Both Tina and I think she was also slightly surprised at her husband spending so much time explaining Singapore routes to strangers. However, Sindhi lineage proved to be a great conversation starter and very helpful as well. I am thankful to uncle for his kind assistance.
On another day, when we were at Singapore Zoo, I bumped into a family who were speaking in chaste Sindhi. They seemed to be a Muslim family as the lady was dressed in Islamic attire. They were a family of three members – parents and their daughter who seemed to be in college. They were reading the menu and deciding what to eat. Seeing them speak in Sindhi, I excitedly asked – Are you Sindhis? The father looked at me for a while and then replied “No, we are Memons” in Sindhi. Remembering my previous encounter with another Memon gentleman in Bangalore few years back, I inferred that they might be Pakistani citizens living probably in Karachi. Given paucity of time, I couldn’t interact more with them.
Mulchandani family owns Kailash Parbat restaurant in Singapore, where Sindhi dishes are served.
On the last day, I met a friend from my business school days after almost 9 years. She is a Marwari (vegetarian) and hence we decided to meet at an Indian vegetarian restaurant, Kailash Parbat. It is owned by Mulchandani family and is a well-known chain in Mumbai that has over years expanded into Singapore, Dubai and New York as well. I have been to their restaurant a couple of times in Mumbai and like their food. It was heartening to see that they serve “Sindhi dishes” in their Singapore restaurant as well and have a wonderful picture of Lal Sain at the cashier counter.(see below). I was personally surprised to see Bhee (Lotus Stem) featuring in the menu. I never thought that Bhee (of all things) would be served in the restaurant.
It is experiences like these that give me hope that (perhaps) all is not lost (yet)!
I end with this wonderful poem shared by my cousin elder sister, Kajal Teckchandani (nee Mittal). We recently spoke about how her growing up memories and she mentioned about this nursery rhyme. I also provide a link to young Namrata Kataria reciting this poem as a part of Sindhi Sangat’s Nursery rhyme competition which is aimed at encouraging kids to pick up the language. I hadn’t heard this before, so thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope you too like it. Thanks Kajal didi for sharing this.
Paiso Ladhum Pat Taan
Paiso Ladhum Pat Taan
Paise Wattho Ghaa
Ghaa Dinum Gaayen Khe
Gaayen Dinno Kheer
Kheer Dinno Amma Khe
Amma Dinno Lolo
Lolo Dinum Kaawn Khe
Kaawn Dinno Khumb
Khumb Dinum Raja Khe
Raja Dinno Ghodo
Chadi Ghum Chadi Ghum
Chandan Patakho
Jiye Mungho Kako
Kako Waitho Maadi The
Gul Hadanse Daadi The
Amma Waithi Kothe The
Gul Hadanse Choti The
Chadi Ghum
Chadi Ghum
Chandan Patako
Jeiye Mungo Kako
Watch and Listen to: Nursery rhyme
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Courtesy: Sindhi Chokro Blogs (Published on April 26, 2019)
