Frontlist Media celebrates “International Mother Language Day” to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as multilingualism
Author Neil Daswai has shared the offering to Nana Phadnavis on the occasion of “International Mother Language Day”on Feb 21, 2023
Here’s the Poem:
Nana Phadnavis* Meets The Polyglot
Can you guess my mother tongue
said he, confident, cocky, and young
this polyglot who was holding forth
as he took on the Peshwa’s court
languages, for sure, he had aplenty
claiming he was fluent in twenty
high-flown Bengali, he spoke with skill
was a master of Punjabi and Tamil
the courtiers looked to Phadnavis
the Nana seemed quite ill at ease
as the braggart continued to deceive
wily Nana did have an ace up his sleeve
over dinner, the linguist began to boast
“ Do what you will; you can try your utmost!”
“But, you will never guess my mother tongue.”
the night went on; hapless hands were wrung
well fed and gloating, the polyglot went to bed
dreaming of his victory, he soon began to snore
over the boaster’s body and his bloated head
a bucket of icy water did the good Nana pour
“Su Che” yelled he, who with Phadnavis had sparred
Nana said, “So, Gujarati is your mother tongue!”
the language you default to when caught off guard
silenced by the crafty Nana, the polyglot bit his tongue
Neil Daswani
February, 21st 2023
Footnotes:
The poem is my interpretation of a popular encounter that is said to have occurred in the court of the Peshwa … the Maratha ruler of the day. It has been well chronicled
Nana Fadnavis, (February 12, 1742 – March 13, 1800), born Balaji Janardan Bhanu, was an influential minister and statesman of the Maratha Empire during the Peshwa administration in Pune, India.
Nana Phadnis was not mainly known for his prowess on the battlefield, but he more than made up for it through his shrewd politics, strategic diplomacy, wit, and intellect.
Su Che is Gujarati for “What Is This !“
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