Khela Hobe: Connotation & Interpretation

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As someone who knows Bengali (the language), I often wonder how to describe maal (Bengali: মাল; Hindi: माल). The word may have a different connotation in different contexts. With a simple Google translation comes the following suggestions: goods, property, booze, wealth, merchandise, revenue, freight, etc.

In my life, I have come across various others: fool/idiot, good looking (mainly the fairer sex), difficult, sperm, cash, object, etc.

Catch the drift? No? Because the tangential reference lies in the topic being discussed at the particular time the word was used in a sentence.

Or try to catch the drift of the word in tandem with facial expression, or eye movement, or gesture.

Even while uttering the word, a slow shake of head may refer to an idiot, a quick glance may mean reference to the person being glanced at, flicking the thumb off forefinger may mean money, mimicking a drink – the usual, etc.

It’s the same with the word khela (Bengali: খেলা; Hindi: खेला). Technically – well, usually – it is used for a game, sport, match, etc.

But it has other connotations, such as foul play, wrongdoings, use of force, violence, freak, etc.

It may sound strange, but through times, the language has been used to suit the requirements of its user. In fact, there is a tapori style as well. This is used to emphasize that the speaker is a Don or a rowdy who wants to exert his superiority in the environs.

In such a case, all the “sh” has to be hi“sss”ed out. Usually, Bengalis love to stress on the “sh” like bu“sh” (there are three ‘S’-es in the Bengali alphabet). But on this occasion, it’s all “sss”; with a few Hindi adjectives thrown in.

In most cases, a simple bey is enough. Expletives are used only when the situation gets heated. Sometimes, of course, to further suppress a harassed subject who is already scared.

Thus, “Maal (exclamation mark; pause) Khela Hobey (swirling the “ey” a bit)” and “Maal Khela Hobey (in one swift sentence)” will have different connotations…

Or, “Maal (pause) Khela (pause) Hobey (stare for 3.5 seconds, turn, and walk off)” will have another…

Yeah! It’s all in the drift!

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