15\/100. ‘Nyaka’. That untranslatable Bengali word. Though ‘coy’ comes close, by no means does it convey the exact meaning of the word. ‘Nyaka’ is about a glance, a gait, a look, an inflection. And it is NOT usually meant as a compliment.<\/p>\n
Like many women with typical Bong features – oval\/round face, large eyes and wavy hair – every time I wear a saree, I have to work at not looking ‘nyaka’. Especially if it is a Bengal taant.<\/p>\n
The same thing happened this morning as well. I teamed my light sap green ‘haajar buti’ taant with very contemporary, frosted gold danglers and bangles – both from Accessorize. I applied blue eyeliner instead of black kohl. But, as soon as I put on the bindi, I was once again the picture of a ‘nyaka Bangali’. Not in one single photograph was I looking smart or chic.<\/p>\n
So, I give up. No other choice do I have apart from celebrating this oft-denied but actually undeniable sliver of ‘nyakamu’ in all Bengali woman. Issshhhh!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
15\/100. ‘Nyaka’. That untranslatable Bengali word. Though ‘coy’ comes close, by no means does it convey the exact meaning of the word. ‘Nyaka’ is about a glance, a gait, a look, an inflection. And it is NOT usually meant as a compliment. Like many women with typical Bong features – oval\/round face, large eyes and…<\/p>\n