I must confess that bringing this series of Sholay nuggets to you has been an immensely joyful experience. The many hours and days of research, thinking, and writing have provided me an escape from the otherwise dull period of the wretched lockdown. And I hope you are enjoying reading it too!
In this episode, I'm digging out a proverb that is neatly ensconsed in the famous 'Kitne Aadmi The' scene.
Muhavra: Kisika Namak Khana (किसिका नमक खाना)
Did you realise that Gabbar Singh (the Late Amjad Khan) is introduced well after the first hour of the film? Surprising, considering the import and gravity of the character, but Salim-Javed were true masters at the art of storytelling. Anyway, when Gabbar is diabolically playing Russian Roulette with three hapless dacoits, at 1h 10m, Kaalia (the Late Viju Khote) stammers:
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| S-S-S-Sardar, Maine Aapka Namak Khaya Hai, Sardar. |
The sentence literally means 'I have eaten your salt'. But what it actually means is 'I am very loyal to you'. Why salt? Think… Sachitism to the rescue :)
Rewind a few hundred years. Salt was then a precious commodity, and anyone owning salt was rich or important. If you ran out of salt while cooking, you’d go to a friend for some. Whoever gave you salt, you became eternally loyal and indebted. Over time, the proverb linked with Islam, and the one who upheld this salt-forged bond is called namak halaal (faithful), while a betrayer is called namak haram (traitor). Interestingly, Amitabh Bachchan acted in roles featuring both of these namak suffixes, and of course was also in Sholay, where the proverb was used!
Fun fact: 'Namak' is not even a Hindi word—it’s Urdu/Farsi. The correct Sanskrit/Hindi word is lavarn (लवण).
That was the nugget. Samjhe ke nahin? Agar achha laga to comment kijiye. Agar achha nahin laga to lament kijiye.
Goodbye, aadab and namaste.
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