Bai in its origin is probably from Gujarat and equal to respected lady. Same is the case with Mai (used in Sindh and Punjab), probably its root is Maa (mother).
But these both words are not considered good outside these regions. Bai because of Red-Light areas and Mai is considered as someone illiterate.
Have you hear someone still using these words for referring to gentleman ladies (
heard this term in a classic show Sach Gup).
Re: Bai aur Mai
Bai to ab kam hii kahte haiN sivaaye "Naan Bai" ke magar India ke dehaatoN meN to maaN ko lower class ke Hindu aaj bhii Mai kahte haiN...
...ek gaanaa bhii thaa:
Mai re, tose kaise kahuuN maiN apne jiyaa kii baat, Mai re!
Ganga Maiya yaa Ganga Mai to bahot common hai.
Re: Bai aur Mai
I think Gujarati call their mothers as ‘Baa’ and ‘Bai’ came from this Baa.
As far as Mai is concerned, yes it was used frequently in poetry (Hindi, Punjabi, etc)
Mai Ni Mai [EXTENDED] HD - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-P8cETH9VY)
Clipbuk - Mai ni main kinu akhan by Sain zahoor Post by Zagham
Re: Bai aur Mai
Bai in Marathi refers to 'a lady' in general and is pretty widely used here in Maharashtra.
Re: Bai aur Mai
Bai in Marathi refers to 'a lady' in general and is pretty widely used here in Maharashtra.
You mean as a part of name like Jodha Bai?
Re: Bai aur Mai
A lot of Indian dramas use them.
Re: Bai aur Mai
A lot of Indian dramas use them.
Kanta Bai.. Kaam wali Bai
Re: Bai aur Mai
Not necessarily. If someone wants to ask me something, they can use any of the following ways.
Re: Bai aur Mai
^ it's just like when we say ister or brother referring to a fellow Muslim .
Re: Bai aur Mai
Bai ji means Behn ji?
Re: Bai aur Mai
Bai ji means Behn ji?
lolz...NO...i meant that this term [Bai] is so lightly used as we use "sister in Islam" word.