Do we consider it as a matter of disgrace to talk in Bhojpuri?

Hello there………

First of all, forgive me for conversing with you in English. I know Bhojpuri search has brought you here but my use of English should not raise your brows. Spare just two minutes and do justice to me for doing injustice to you by using English instead of Bhojpuri.

Let me make it clear that this site is for promotion of Bhojpuri language, and by using this platform we will try to figure out where we (the Bhojpuris) are? And is our condition so bad (or at least we think so) that we feel shame in talking in Bhojpuri among us. With time, has our denigration for our mother tongue gone to such an extent that we think twice before using Bhojpuri with our next generation and no longer we are ready to pass it to our successors.

So, my use of  English language, albeit temporarily, is as a reaction to all those Bhojpuris who are ashamed of using their mother tongue with their children and do not want to pass this pride to their children, and these ‘intellectuals’ are even ready to wipe out the rich legacy of Bhojpuri language, culture and tradition by showing their disinterest for Bhojpuri. Even the motive of not using Bhojpuri in conversation is not clear to them but they have already started assuming that their Bhojpuri deserves no place in their altogether ‘new civilized world’ and their mother tongue should be straightaway replaced with ‘a better language’. Hence, we find many who like to talk in Hindi with their children and shy away the moment they have to use Bhojpuri.

Well, Bhojpuri is a dialect of Hindi and there is nothing wrong in using Hindi. But Hindi among those whose mother tongue is Bhojpuri is very surprising to me. It’s very painful to see my brothers switching to Hindi when they can very well converse in Bhojpuri. Yes, promotion of Hindi at the cost of Bhojpuri does not make any sense to me. So, here I am with this endeavour, seeking your support to promote Bhojpuri.

No, neither I am presenting myself as the only crusader of Bhojpuri nor I am trying to blow it out of proportion. But many recent past incidents in my life have compelled me to share with you certain disturbing facts regarding Bhojpuri.

I remember in my previous organisation in Delhi, where I worked earlier, I met one guy from one of the Bhojpuri-speaking districts. His surname and origin prompted me to ask him frankly what his mother tongue was. "Hindi bolte hain,” he quipped, his eyes trying to avoid mine. I instantly realised that he was lying. But, I did not insist and let it go; being sure that this fellow was ashamed of his mother tongue. And, it’s not about strangers only. Even I felt a few of my relatives too have the same strange hatred for Bhojpuri and unending admiration for Hindi. They consider it as a matter of disgrace to utter their mother tongue before others.

This strange hatred for mother tongue is not seen by others. I have seen two strangers talking with pride in Punjabi, Bengali or any other language and they don’t have qualms in using their mother tongue. And, they don’t have any hatred for Hindi too, but they exhibit pride in using their mother tongue. This is what is missing in case of Bhojpuri.

So, let's try to shake off that 'feeling shame' attitude and try to shout out in our bid to give our mother tongue its deserved place. And, first of all make your presence felt. Wherever you are, if you are a Bhojpuri let it be known to the world. If you and people around you speak Bhojpuri do share your way of life there. You can share a brief information about your place. Also, you can share pictures, video clips showing the place and your practices there.

Please be vocal and let others know that our Bhojpuri is still alive and we practise it with pride. And, I am super excited about it.

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