Crows are a common sight across India, easily recognized by their black plumage and loud, distinctive calls. Known for their intelligence and adaptability, crows have a rich symbolic history in Indian culture. But what are crows called in the most widely spoken language of India, Hindi?
The Common Name for Crow in Hindi is ‘Kauwa’
The most widely used and recognized name for crows in Hindi is ‘कौआ’ (kauwaa). This name is used to refer to the common crow species found across the Indian subcontinent, such as the large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) and house crow (Corvus splendens). The word ‘kauwaa’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘kapota’ meaning pigeon or dove. However, over time, it became associated with crows in Hindi and other North Indian languages.
Some key facts about the Hindi word ‘kauwaa’:
- It is a masculine word in Hindi.
- The pronunciation is like ‘kaa-oo-aa,’ with the ‘w’ sound silent.
- Plural form is ‘kauwe’ (कौए).
- No distinct word exists for a female crow in Hindi.
- ‘Kauwaa’ is used as a common noun to refer to any crow in general.
The term ‘kauwaa’ is deeply rooted in Hindi literature, idioms, and daily conversational language. It appears in common phrases like:
- ‘Kauwe ki tarah charna’ – to hop around like a crow.
- ‘Kauwe jaise kaalon ka rang’ – as black as a crow
- ‘Kauwe ki aankh jaisi’ – like the eye of a crow (referring to someone’s dark eyes)
‘Kauwaa’ vs ‘Kaga’
‘Kaga’ (काग) is another term sometimes used to refer to crows in Hindi. However, there are some key differences:
- ‘Kaga’ has a more formal, literary connotation compared to the colloquial ‘kauwaa.’
- ‘Kaga’ can specifically refer to ravens, while ‘kauwaa’ only applies to crows.
- ‘Kaga’ is used as a symbol of wisdom and shrewdness in Hindu scriptures and epics.
- The terms are not exactly interchangeable, ‘kauwaa’ remains the most common everyday name.
Regional Variations for ‘Crow’ in India
Hindi is spoken as a first or second language by over 500 million people across India. However, there are also dozens of major regional languages. Some have distinct local names for crows:
Language | Word for Crow |
---|---|
Marathi | कावळा (kaawalaa) |
Gujarati | કાગ (kaag) |
Punjabi | ਕੌਂ (kaun) |
Bengali | কাক (kak) |
Telugu | గాక (gaaka) |
Kannada | ಕಾಕು (kaaku) |
Malayalam | കാക്ക (kaakka) |
Tamil | காக்கை (kaakai) |
As you can see, names like ‘kaaval,’ ‘koun,’ and ‘kak’ are common regional variants. But the root sounds are similar to the Hindi ‘kauwaa’ in most cases.
Crows in Ancient Indian Texts and Folklore
Crows have a rich cultural history in Indian mythology and literature. They are depicted both positively and negatively in different contexts:
- In the epic Ramayana, crows play a pivotal role. Ram’s wife Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravana while they are in exile. Ravana takes the disguise of a crow and attacks Sita.
- Lord Shani, the Hindu god of justice, rides on a crow. Thus, crows are considered the vehicles of Shani.
- The wise bird couple Kaga (crow) and Madgu (egret) appear in Panchatantra animal fables as advisors to princes.
- Crows are associated with cremation grounds and inauspicious omens in some depictions.
- They are admired for their intelligence and adaptability in folk sayings like ‘a crow can be taught to speak better than a parrot.’
These rich cultural associations have made the ‘kauwaa’ an integral part of the Hindi lexicon.
Symbolism as Messengers, Tricksters, and Omens
Some of the symbolic meanings associated with crows in Indian culture include:
- Messenger: Their black color linked them to Yamraj, the god of death. So crows became poets of ill omens, said to inform about coming dangers.
- Trickster: Stories like the crow disguise of Ravana show their cunning side. But they are admired for using wit to survive.
- Omen: Hearing crows cawing early morning is considered an ill omen by some traditions. But spotting crows may indicate coming guests.
- Soul carrier: As messengers of the death god, crows are said to carry dead souls. Crow families may represent lost ancestors keeping watch.
These rich folk beliefs reveal why ‘kauwaa’ is more than just a bird name in Hindi.
Scientific Names for Crows
While ‘kauwaa’ is the common Hindi name, there are also formal scientific names used internationally to distinguish crow species:
Large-Billed Crow
- Scientific name: Corvus macrorhynchos
- Widespread in India, known for its large bill and familiar ‘aak…aak’ call.
House Crow
- Scientific name: Corvus splendens
- Abundant in urban and semi-urban areas. Smaller than large-billed crows.
Rufous Treepie
- Scientific name: Dendrocitta vagabunda
- This crow-like songbird is found in forests of India. It is grey with a rufous tail.
There are over 40 species of crows and ravens globally. But in India, the large-billed crow and house crow dominate the urban landscape. Their local name ‘kauwaa’ is most widely used in Hindi rather than specific scientific names.
Crows in Popular Culture and Media
The depiction of the clever ‘kauwaa’ in folklore has influenced modern popular culture as well. Crows remain a familiar presence in Hindi cinema, literature, and songs:
- The 1993 Bollywood film Kauwa Biryani had crows as a central motif.
- Crows appear as wise advisors in Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book stories set in India.
- The poem Dohavali by famous Hindi poet Goswami Tulsidas uses crows to teach moral lessons.
- Many Hindi proverbs demonstrate the crow’s reputation for intelligence – Kauwe se na dosti kar, woh apne swarth ki pujari hai. (Don’t befriend a crow, he just serves his own interests.)
Their special status in Indian culture ensures crows will continue to influence modern Hindi media and literature as well.
Conclusion
To summarize, the common Hindi word for crow is ‘kauwaa,’ which traces its roots to ancient India. Regional names like ‘kaawal’ and ‘kak’ exist as well across India’s diverse languages. Crows appear extensively in Hindu mythology and folk tales as messengers, tricksters, and omens. Their distinctive call, sharp intelligence, and adaptability have made them symbols of both peril and wisdom in Hindi literary traditions. Whether appearing in epics and fables or the streets of any Indian city, the clever ‘kauwaa’ remains a quintessential bird of Indian culture and language.