Surat's Proverbial Sixers

Surat's proverbial sixers

Most cities around the world have proverbial words attached to them that best describe their nature or law of the land. American author Henry Van Dyke once wrote ,“Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome;
But when it comes to living, there is no place like home.”

Amongst all other cities, Rome has so far been a favourite with writers. Often while watching a Hollywood flick or reading a book we come across lines like ‘All roads lead to Rome’, ‘When in Rome do as the Romans do’, ’Rome was not built in a day’, or to ‘Fiddle while Rome burns’ –The ideas behind these statements have always been ambiguous. As Oscar Wilde said, ’’The truth is rarely pure and never simple”; nothing could stand truer than the same for the origins of proverbs and idioms.

Even as Rome stands much celebrated worldwide, Surat and Surtis have their own set of old sayings; still oft quoted within its sheris and markets which visitors would fail to understand. Some are simple, others complicated but all share equally the distinction of being associated with the essence of Surat as a city.

You may have heard the most popular ‘Surat nu jaman ney Kashi maran’ that best describes the town’s lip smacking cuisine but a funnier one goes ,’Surat na vengan matey toh dev talsey chey’ meaning ‘Even the gods pine for Surat’s delicacies’.

Food has often been the forte of Surti proverbs .We have one which goes ‘Surat na suhvaala lok,nadi utariney meley ponk’ which talks of smooth Surtis and the good life they live by feasting on Ponk by the riverside. Another recommends,’Surat ni barfi ,Mathurana penda, Mumbai no halwo ney Khambhat ni sutarfeni.’

Then there are those sayings which glorify the city like ‘Surat sonani murat’, Surat sheher ney sunnani leher, Surat ni gat (speed)

Others still have been framed to hit it below the belt as well. Like ‘Surat sheher na lok,divasey boley ne raatey fok !’ meaning the Surti folks promise something by the day and go back on their word by night. You may have heard of ‘Delhi ka thug’ but Surat’s scoundrels are called’ Surti thug, haathma chattar ne gajvaama pathhar’ meaning Surat’s cheats hold an umbrella over the head but have stones in place of their wallets.

Smooth talkers are called ‘Surti ne vaat karey ullti’ which suggests Surtis are not straight forward but beat around the bush. Surtis have also been called ‘Surat na gaanda ney Bharuch na dahya, Surat na luchha ney Mumbai na maanda ‘while the former adjective describes Surtis as crazy the latter says Surtis are smart.

The jolly good nature of laid back locals is best described via ’Surya ast toh Surti mast’ –Surtis rejoice at sundown. Sethiyas are called ‘Surti ney Mangalmurti’ or even ‘Surat ney saheb ni murat’. Creditors were teased with ‘Multan kay Mallahji, Delhi kay Laaley; Surat kay Bhaisaheb, bheekh maangney ko chaley’

While all other proverbs are general in nature, the ones that describe the ladies of Tapi town are particularly distinct to their demeanor. On one hand they have been literally elevated on a pedestal in the saying ’Vadodra ni neechi naari ney Surat ni Paniyaari’ on the other there is an old couplet that goes ’Navsari ni nasaakhari, ney Bharuch ni bhatiyaari; Suratni toh aevi saari ,key khoon kariney kuttwa chaali’ meaning that Surti women are so crafty that they can get away even with murder.

An ancient entertaining ace penned long ago,which sketches out in general, the picture of Surti women who love to gossip remains true till date and goes, ’Gopipura ni gupp ney Chautey chaali chapachapp!’