BK Gundas

If you look up the word "thug" on one of my all-time favorite websites Urduword.com, you will not find an answer. That's probably because "thug" (or thag as pronounced in Urdu) is actually a desi word, meaning a "member of a gang of murderers and robbers in India who strangled their victims" (see http://www.etymonline.com/). When I was a child, a "thug" was a crook (to be differentiated with dakku - a bandit) and sure enough, if you read classic Urdu story-tales, you can read about "thags" who tried to trick little old ladies into selling their gold jewelry. Growing up, I learned another word for "thag" was "gunda".

So like in my convoluted way of thinking, a thug, is still a thug. But a "gunda" is a whole other species. When I think "gunda", the first thing that pops into my mind is a "Brooklyn Gunda", a heavier-set Punjabi guy with a do-rag and the baggiest jeans and a chunky metal "Allah" necklace. Then, I think, wait there are skinny gundas too, and I think of Jay Sean (who btw was my man before this z100 revolution) and then I think wait their are shareef (decent) gunday too and I think of my "gangsturr" brothers box and picks haircuts.

But, let me revisit the truly unique species, Brooklyn Gunday. As a Pakistani growing up in NYC, a Brooklyn Gunda is not hard to find (especially if you have ever been to the Pakistani day parade). Many Brooklyn Gundas have never been to Pakistan, (or moved from there before they were 5) yet they are the most patriotic Pakistanis you will have ever met. As such, the best place to look is in the little Pakistan of Brooklyn. Just drive down Coney Island Avenue on a Saturday, (be sure to stop at Bukhara sweets for bangin' namak-paray, and Punjab restaurant for sizzling kebabs and Punjab pharmacy where you can bargain for deodorant) and roll down your window. You could park, but be careful if you have a non-NY license plate, you might be sniffed out as a foreign entity and it could be trouble for your stereo system. As you walk, or drive, observe, as a bird-watcher would, your surroundings. You might hear a Brooklyn Gunda blasting bhangra mixed with rap in a "souped" ride cruising through a red-light. You might see a bunch of them with corn-rows and flashy studs walking together up and down the street. Some of them smoke and look like they are carrying some sort of weapon. Some of them do not speak English or Punjabi or Ebonics but a mixture of the three.

But, do not be afraid.Inside, you see Brooklyn Gundas have a piece of laddoo (a spherical yellow dessert) in their heart. If you are an old lady, or a little kid running and playing in the street, you have nothing to fear. If not, and if you are afraid, quickly give them some samosas (or a little Pakistani flag), slowly walk away and they should be off your case. Although it is tempting, do not take their pictures, no matter how unique (or attractive) you think they are. You probably shouldn't smile at them either- as they are not used to this. Most Brooklyn Gundas will turn towards some sort of business for their choice of profession. They will lead lives eating homemade roti and marrying a girl from a small town in a foreign country. Brooklyn Gunday do tend to raise Brooklyn Gunday, but more research is needed to substantiate these claims.

(Relevant picture to be added soon)