Hadji Demystified: what’s in a name, pt. 2 *or* surnames have meanings, too

Great animation turnarounds and sketches of Hadji, but his last name is the star of this post.

SINGH

noun

1. Derived from the Sanskrit word Siṃha, meaning “lion”. Other derivations of “Singh” include “Sinha”, “Simha”, “Singhal, ” and other spellings throughout India, Sri Lanka, and the countries making up Indochina. (Wikipedia)

Luckily, this entry isn’t as controversial as the post covering the different meanings behind Hadji’s first name. Still, like the name “Hadji,” the name “Singh” is steeped in history.

“Singh” is the honorific last name given to those who are members of the Sikh faith. In 1699 Punjab, the name was adopted by Guru Gobind Singh. Before then, it was used by the Hindu Kshatriyas, or warrior social class. Singh is optional as a last name for some people; this is one of the reasons why some people, like the Rajput–members of the Kshatriya class– have it as their middle name rather than their last. But for those fully practicing Sikhism, “Singh” must be their last name; it’s a mandatory exercise when, adopted by Guru Gobind Singh, was meant to make those practicing Sikhism to cleanse themselves of the caste system:

From now on, you have become casteless. No ritual, either Hindu or Muslim, will you perform nor will you believe in superstition of any kind, but only in one God who is the master and protector of all, the only creator and destroyer. In your new order, the lowest will rank with the highest and each will be to the other a bhai (brother). No pilgrimages for you any more, nor austerities but the pure life of the household, which you should be ready to sacrifice at the call of Dharma. Women shall be equal of men in every way. No purdah (veil) for them anymore, nor the burning alive of a widow on the pyre of her spouse (sati). He who kills his daughter, the Khalsa shall not deal with him. (Wikipedia)

Naming yourself  ”Singh” (or “Kaur”, meaning “princess”, if you’re a woman) is only one of the tenets of Sikhism you must keep. However, another post will have to be set aside for the basics on this religion.

So what does the name “Singh” have to do with our favorite Singh from Jonny Quest? Aside from following the tenets of his religion, what would it mean for a person like Hadji want to be named “Singh”?

Well, it’s the same reason why a lady would like to be named “princess”. These last names weren’t just chosen by the Guru so people would have a rule to follow. I believe what he meant by telling his followers to rename themselves is that people were a) individualistic, b) inherently noble through their very existence, and c) were capable of owning up to and capitalizing on their inherent nobility. It’s a bit like Natural Law-we are all inherently endowed rights through our own intelligence. The Guru was calling on his followers to take stock of themselves and to make sure to bring themselves up in a way that they would be able to reach their full potential. The names, I think, were meant to reinforce–and, in a way, hold people to–those ideals. If your last name is “princess”, why not act like one? Likewise for “Singh”; if you’re named after one of the most majestic, most noble, most powerful animals in the animal kingdom, why not act every bit like one?

I also think by stressing the idea of castlessness, the Guru was forcing people to focus on building up their individual selves and to realize that being an individual, not a part of a caste, is something to be admired for. Being an individual–a true individual–is tough. Being able to own that is part of the journey–if not the biggest part–of self-conquering. The tenet of wearing a Sikh turban–the Dastar, which signifies a crown– I think is the most outward way to make practicing Sikhs remember all that they are capable of. With all that the Dastar represents–piety, honor, self-respect, courage, and spirituality–the Dastar itself reminds the wearer of conquering the self. I think Sikhnet says it best:

The turban is our Guru’s gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness. For men and women alike, this projective identity conveys royalty, grace, and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of Infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn’t represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by tying your turban, you stand fearlessly as one single person standing out from six billion people. It is a most outstanding act.

Like I stated earlier, I’ll go into the nitty-gritty of Sikhism later, but from what we have learned about the name “Singh” and the Dastar, I think we can safely say that, no matter what racial/social baggage has been placed on Hadji, his being able to love, enjoy, and sometimes revel in his individuality is something that his creator(s) kept in mind. More of this can possibly be seen in TRA than the original Jonny Quest. Example: his constant quoting. Sure, this can also be brought up as a “mystical/all-knowing Asian” stereotype (and I will talk about this later in another post), but at the same time, it also conveys something about Hadji’s ability to be able to be comfortable with his intelligence (and, thus, his inherent dorkiness) by quoting philosophers, poets, etc., even if it’s just for his own amusement and no one gets what he’s talking about. Not many people like sticking out, least of all by quoting obscure figures in history, but Hadji doesn’t particularly care.

Of course, this is a minor example of Hadji’s reflection of being a Singh. Courage, one of the qualities mentioned above, is something Hadji excels at, unlike his adoptive brother Jonny, whose courage is often masked by his sometimes boorish, act-first-think-later M.O. Example: the episode “Dark Sentinel“, where Hadji uses his mental abilities to drag and transfer a monster from a Cameroon boy’s subconscious into his own in order to save the boy from death. If that‘s not courageous, then I don’t know what is. I also think its Hadji showing he is living up to his promise to show his inherent, God-given nobility and good-will.

Switching tones, though, one has to ask the question as to whether his last name is the actual one he was born with.  Due to the effects of the caste system, people growing up with Sikhism, etc., “Singh” is a hereditary name as well as a separate denotation of Sikhism; as I alluded to above, you don’t have to be born with the name “Singh” to be called “Singh”. Since we find out in the second season that Hadji’s family is, indeed, alive, and his orphaned childhood was one forced upon him by his power-crazy Scar-esque uncle, it’s a fair assumption that the rest of his family might not be Sikh. Hadji’s Sikhism could’ve been passed down to him from his caretaker-in-the-streets, Pasha the Peddler. Pasha’s turban could be evidence of this, but there’s no way of telling if the powers-that-be over TRA intended for his turban to be a Sikh Dastar or a regular turban.

So there you have it. The meaning behind Hadji’s last name, as well as the circumstantial effect it should have on the name-bearer.

Tags: Dastar, Guru Gobind Singh, Hadji, Jonny Quest, Jonny The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, meaning, Sikhism, Singh