As it happens to be the Telangana Formation Day, and as Hyderabad is the capital of the newly formed state, let us have a look at that peculiar version of Hindi called Hyderabadi Hindi.
It is indeed unique. Often known as 'Dakhni', it is a curious combo of Telugu, Urdu, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and a bit of Persian and Punjabi. Typical of the Ganga-Jamani ethos of Hyderabad which is absolutely a twin City, the hi-fi high-tech Hyderabad (especially circa Madhapur, Hi-Tech City, Gacchibowli types) and the Old City of the Charminar!
Even in the twenty first century, these are two distinct worlds. Sure, traditionally, the twin cities are Hyderabad and Secundrabad, divided supposedly by the Hussein Sagar Lake. Yet the LCD (to use the mathematical metaphor) in both these places would be the local Telugu culture common to both, found even in the "Camp" like Secundrabad, once the British hangout.
Whichever way you may divide Hyderabad, Dakhni sure unites it. Typical 'yes' in Dakhni is 'hau' and 'no' is 'nakko'. Every woman is a 'bibi' which means 'lady', while 'biwi' is the 'wife'! The less said in this context, the better, right?!?
Incidentally, Dakhni does not have the Lucknow-walla 'Aap' 'adab'. There is this direct frontal attack, 'ama', of 'tum' and 'tumku' and 'kayku'. Given this equalisation, if one speaks the 'shudh' Allahabad Hindi, it really marks one out as a stranger!
Want proof of all these assertions? Watch Sagar Sarhadi's film 'Bazar' which mostly uses Dakhni with its typical tone as well. Or, if you like the so-called comic effect, Mahmood could regale you with "hum-a kaale hai to...", quite crazy actually!
Scholars assert that mostly women created, maintained and nurtured this version of Hindi. Actually, it is less a dialect of Hindi, and more a unique language in its own way. In brief, a unique example of the language marking the locale!
Pratima@ "A different language is a different vision of life," insisted Fellini.
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