KHAND-VAAV AND NAABH-KAAR
These two words were very popular in Kashmir. Both found there usage while dealing with masons and carpenters. May be these were put to use in many other situations, I don't know. But yes, Sri Jai Ram Gupta worked for Punjab National Bank and he spent good time at Amira Kadal branch of the bank . Consequently, he had acquired working knowledge of Kashmiri language. He was from Udhampur and was honest to his core, straightforward, daring and well read . His command over English both; spoken and written was exceptional. A very punctual officer, he would get up for his lunch-break even if some senior executive of the bank was in the premises for some inspection or checking. I found Gupta Ji using both words, Naabh- kaar and Khand-vaav . When a new clerk was provided to him , he would try to put confidence in him and make him learn banking . If he failed. he would say :
" Yi chhu Nabh-kaar ."
(" He is worthless . He plays with his tools." )
If a new recruit was given to his section who was still learning, he would say:
" Yi chhu Khanda-vaav."
(" He is untrained . He lacks skill .")
My father once clarified to me me that Naabh-kaar was a Persian word which meant ," a worthless person not fit for any assignment " .I also learnt that it is a derogatory term used for a person who can't be engaged for any useful work or who will waste your time, money and energy .About Khand-vaav, my friend Sohail Iqbal clarifies as under :
"Khanda.waav refers to apprentices in the shawl weaving industry who were exploited and had a tough life. The term is associated with derogatory phrases highlighting their poor conditions, like 'khanda.waav koaj' meaning a shawl weaver's late breakfast. They worked long hours with minimal breaks, often eating simple food like round-leaved mallow. These individuals toiled for extended periods, with scarce respite, subsisting on humble food, epitomizing their struggles."
( Avtar Mota )
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