Page 15 - Masala Lite Issue 176 August 2025

DR. NUPOOR RAWLE
Consulting Homeopath, Registered Yoga Teacher

Majhi Matrubhasha: My Mother Tongue
We hail from Maharashtra, India, and like many Maharashtrians, my husband and I
naturally converse with each other and our children in Marathi.
My daughter, Nysa, now eight years old, was an excellent Marathi speaker until she

turned five. What changed at five? She started school. The child who once spoke

nothing but Marathi was suddenly fluent in English. Her friends spoke English, her

teachers taught in English, and she spent 6–7 hours a day immersed in lessons in it.
It wasn’t a preference—it was convenient.
Next came our son, Kushagra, now three and a half. He began speaking in Marathi,
and when we enrolled him in nursery nine months ago, he continued in Marathi. But
gradually, he picked up English from his sister while fully speaking Marathi to us. Now,
he speaks English peppered with a few Marathi words. At home, he still responds in
Marathi occasionally, but English is becoming more dominant.
I understand. They speak English with everyone outside the family, so it has naturally
become their main language. But the Maharashtrian in me yearns to hear Marathi in
our home, to preserve the soul of our culture through our mother tongue.
So, what do we do?
• We recite our evening prayers in Marathi.
• We insist our children call us Aai and Baba, not “Mom” and “Dad.”
• Our daughter is enrolled in the world language program for Hindi (which shares
its script with Marathi), giving her access to Marathi literature.

• We celebrate our festivals with traditional attire and cuisine, firmly believing that
language is woven into the fabric of culture.
• We take them to Marathi theatre productions, play Bollywood and Marathi songs,
and tell them Marathi is our secret family code language—just for us.
Even when they don’t reply in Marathi, we continue to speak with them. We’ve had
to let go of the expectation of exclusive mother-tongue communication, but we’re
proud that they understand it, cherish Maharashtrian cuisine, and still lovingly call
us Aai and Baba.

HARPRITY SINGHBUNSIRI and REENA SETHI
Teachers, Founders of Peak of Punjabi

In today’s fast-paced world, holding onto one’s cultural roots is more important than
ever—and language lies at the heart of that connection. This is why we started Peak
of Punjabi, a fresh and spirited language school in Bangkok. Founded in August 2023,
the centre is reimagining how Punjabi is taught to Thai-Indian children, blending
tradition with creativity and joy.
At Peak of Punjabi, language learning is not limited to grammar and vocabulary; it
becomes a vibrant cultural experience. The school’s mission is clear: to nurture a love
for the Punjabi language in the next generation through meaningful engagement,
imaginative tools, and consistent exposure. As our motto says, “Gurmukhi is our aim.”
This allows for children to be more engaged and connected throughout the sessions
they have;therefore, the learning experience becomes memorable and enjoyable
without any sacrifice of knowledge or fun.

What sets Peak of Punjabi apart is its dynamic, game-based approach to teaching.
Children don’t just memorise, they participate. With self-designed flashcards, memory

games, and Sikh-themed activities, each class becomes a space of discovery. The
result? A classroom filled with laughter, learning, and lively connection to one’s roots.

Students not only pick up language skills but also deepen their spiritual and cultural
understanding, one playful lesson at a time.
Whether it’s through Punjabi poems, cultural songs, art projects, or interactive games,
Peak of Punjabi is making the language come alive. The school isn’t just a tuition
centre. It’s a growing cultural movement.
Peak of Punjabi is making sure to not only implement learning in classes but also
allow for students to learn and enjoy Punjabi outside of class sessions. They do that
with the help of “Peak of Punjabi Educational Games,” which include handmade
Flashcards and Gurmukhi Alphabet Pull and Stick Mat. More and more Punjabi families
are enrolling their children, not just to learn the language, but to fall in love with it.

ALL-ACCESS INTO BANGKOK’S CONTEMPORARY INDIAN LIFESTYLE