38 - CHACHUNDAR - The Myth Busted !

CHACHUNDAR - The Myth Busted !

 

We have grown up hearing this word being used as a derogatory term for a female. Our research has uncovered some interesting facts - you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

Chachundar is actually a furry Rat (or Rodent) - very similar to a Genus Suncus (a very rare picture found in the archives is attached for your visual pleasure !)

 

In ancient Indian folk stories the Chachundar was a spikey rat, somewhat like an Echidna, with sharp needle-like fur coating. Rats are a staple diet of snakes. Shambhu Ji ke gale mein jo Shesh Ji hay, wo hamesha Ganesh Ji ke sawaari (moose) ko dekhte rahte hay, man hi man lalchaa rahe hay !

 

When a snake swallows (they do not chew) the Chachundar it goes somewhat inside the snake's mouth, gets angry, then expands it's sharp fur. The needle-like fur gets entangled in the snakes stomach. It can neither swallow any further or spit it out - it is just stuck there. This is beyond the control of the snake. This causes the snake great pain and discomfort. Eventually they both die in this entangled position.

 

How did this get into the Indian vocabulary ?

 

Traditionally, the macho man has been the invincible hero of the family unit. (Although the tradition is being broken somewhat too fast for some people's liking ! - many families, nowdays, have the female as the "real" head, the humble "man" is just the figurehead).

 

The macho man has been somewhat "allowed" to behave like a monkey, it has been tradionally acceptable for the male to have affairs and have multiple mistressses. This has been the case in most cultures. As long as the faithful "Sati Savitri" female of the house is pure, and free of any wrong-doings, the family unit is able to survive.

 

When the female of the family (Chachundar) does not listen to the husband (Snake), has an affair or relations outside the marriage, or does things that bring disrepute to the family, the "Macho Man" becomes uncomfortable and his image is on shaky ground. The relationship weakens and finally breaks up the family unit. They both lose out.

 

He is unable to leave her nor able to live with her for the fear of being ridiculed by the society.

 

"Chachundar Pan" is described as the uneasy, discomfort, desolate and forlorn feeling experienced by the man.

 

Muskuraate Raho