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Indian Proverbs

-Bavabathul Hind Special (17 April 2006)

Introduction:

Kathakali is a 300-year-old dance form developed  in Kerala

The following proverbs are particularly used in Malayalam language, the official language of the southern Indian state of Kerala.  Indian proverbs greatly vary from one state to another thanks to the diverse culture, language as well as geographical disparities of each state.  As a result, you may not hear the following proverbs in any Indian state other than Kerala.

Moothorude vakkum muthunellikkayum aadhyam chavarkum, pinne madhurikkum

(Words of elderly and taste of the (Indian) gooseberry will have bitter taste first, but better taste last.)

Indian gooseberry is a fruit with some how bitter taste largely found in the tropical state of Kerala. This fruit is widely used in the Ayurveda way of medication from the ancient time. Despite its bitterness in the beginning, you will feel the sense of sweetness afterwards especially when you drink some water with or after it.  There are a number of proverbs and idioms derived from the gooseberry fruit in the Malayalam language. As children, we used to eat a lot this fruit and drink water after that, and I remember my grant parents used to rebuke us quoting this proverb when we did untoward actions.

anhayila veezhumbol pachayila chirikkanda

(Green leaf should not laugh, when the yellow leaf collapses)

The implication of this proverb is that we should not happy at others distress or misfortune.  Often used with jack fruit leafs which used to fill up our old house's front yard. This proverb also I heard from my grant parents.

 Adakkayeduthu madiyil vekkam, adakkamarameduthu madiyil vekkan kazhiyillallo.

(Put areca nut on your lap, but you can't put areca palm on your lap.)

Areca palm is also a tropical palm-tree widely cultivated in the state of Kerala, as it forms one of the main sources of income for the rural people of the state. Areca nut is an indispensable ingredient for making Panmasala, a mixture of spices often eaten at the end of a meal to aid digestion and sweeten the breath. The is also used in making different kinds of drugs in Ayurveda medication.

Through this proverb, elderly people usually advice the new generation of parents, not to bother themselves with stubborn and disobedient children. Basically, the proverb wants to say that you can control your children as long as they are younger, but when they get older, only the following proverb would make any sense with them.

Not come the way you lead, lead the way he (she) goes (Thelikkunna vazhikku pokunnillenkil pokunna vazhikku thelikkuka)

 Aana melinchennu karuthi arenkilum thozhuthil kettumo

(No one ties the elephant up in the cowshed when it becomes lean)

The implication of this proverb is that you can't write off an important or noble person when his or her heydays are over. Kerala is famous for its elephant population and elephant is the national animal of the state, making this animal an important character in many proverbs and folklores.

Andiyodadukkumbozhe mangayude puliyariyoo

(Only when you reach into the seed, you will feel the sour taste of the mango)

The implication of this proverb is that you will realize the reality or true face of a person or thing only when you come to know him/her or it from closer.  This proverb contradicts with the famous English proverb that says: The first impression is the best impression.

 Adikollan chenda, panam vangan marar.

(Beats are borne by the the drum while the money is gone to the pocket of drum beater)

This proverb indicates to the selfish nature of some people who make gains exploiting others.  The origin of this proverb is from the Hindu temple carnivals or "pooram" when drum beaters or "marar" make a lot of money beating their drum restlessly round the clock.

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