MANGALURU: The nicknames that Dakshina Kannada’s notorious rowdies are known by, have interesting roots.
While most names are derived from the rowdies’ previous professions, others names are linked to their criminal activities or physical appearance.
Raju, alias Japan Manga, who was recently caught by the police, gets his name from his facial features.A resident of Kunjatbail, Raju is said to have Japanese features and was called by locals as “Japan Manga” (Manga is ape or monkey in Tulu). As he began to be regularly associated with crime, his nickname grabbed the attention of the people and gained notoriety after his murder attempt on builder Prakash Pinto. However, Japan Manga’s arrest on Sunday came as a relief to other builders.
Santhosh is a common name in Dakshina Kannada district and as many as four notorious killers are known by the name Santhu, short for Santhosh. “Birel Santhu” of Hiriyadka in Udupi was identified with a rowdy gang, headed by Barke Yaddu. Birel means finger in Tulu.
The story behind the appendage “Birel” is that the Barke gang’s rivals headed by Raghu of Ballalbagh, had chopped Santhu’s eight fingers. Since then, he came to be known as Birel Santhu. Despite losing his fingers, Santhu continued his criminal activities, but later drowned in the Mahamayi water tank on Car Street.
“Chimney Santhu” of Polali gets his name from his profession. Chimney is the word used for kerosene lamps in the district. Santhu’s father used to make and sell these lamps and was later joined by his son, who came to be known as Chimney Santhu.
Another notorious rowdy gets his name from his original profession. “Candle Santhu”, who is an accused in murder cases including those of Jabbar and rickshaw driver Rafeeq, used to make candles. Candle Santhu was murdered in 2009. Bend Santhu was a mechanic.
Hameed, alias Gujiri (scrap) Hameed, was a scrap dealer and continued to be known by the nick name after he entered the world of crime. Kali Yogish, who faces charges of murder, attempt to murder and extortion, is absconding and is known for adulterating toddy (Kali, in Tulu).