OLD ADAGES

     AATU KITANNITATTHU POOTA KANUM. 

There will be tiny hairs fallen down   if a lamb has rested in a place for some time 

This is a very important saying. There will be something left to identify if someone else has checked another person’s belongings for something and even carefully kept back everything –say anywhere in a home or almirah or table etc.   

In an office, the arrangements set by a clerk, if moved by an inch in his absence by anybody, he can immediately note it. 

In a house, the house wife knows how she keep the things weather it is neat or haphazard way she has kept. Any changes by husband or children can be noted by her. There will be some left out marks. 

This type of unknowingly left out marks will be there where  actions like  theft /murder/ trying to get a document etc occur  , The thieves leave some identification mark like leaving foot wear, forgetting cigarette pack, over coat etc in the place.

    UPPOLUM AAVILLA UPPILITTATHU

(Pickle cannot be equal to salt)

Where salt has to be added pickle cannot be added, even though a lot of salt is added in the pickle.

The saying is used to mean, one thing cannot be used in place of another replacing it. 

A teapoy is a teapoy and it cannot replace a table. A dining chair cannot replace a chair, though both are for sitting. 

A sink though look similar to wash basin, either wash basin cannot replace sink or sink cannot replace wash basin. 

In the human relations, also a chtthhappa is a chitthappa, periappa is a periappa. Periappa cannot be equal to mama. Chitthappa cannot be Athiambar. Though all are relations. 

During some functions due to some temporary quarrels one man may not come, say a mama. In his absence a cousin mama may carry out the formalities of mama. But everybody will wonder about the absence of mama. 

In personal relations an own brother cannot equal whatever be the relation, by a first cousin brother.

   NEERKOLI KADICHALUM ATTHAZHAM MUDANGUM 

(If water snake bites too, one cannot take supper). 

We can find snakes in river at times. These water snakes are like long fishes and not considered poisonous like others. But rarely they too bite people when we are in water while bathing in 4-5 feet deep water and taking a dip etc.  

But water snake will bite and go away. Others do not know what type of snake has bitten. So whatever the snake, food is not given to the person for 12 hours. After that if nothing problematic food can be given to him. 

The saying means to say, certain people could be not very harmful but can be slightly problematic. 

If we are preparing for a journey, and a person stops and talk of a possible problem, we will be hesitant to proceed further. In fact the problem would have already set right, which this person does not know.

    

   CHAVUTTI VANNA PATIKAL MARAKKARATHU 

(One should not forget the previous steps while climbing up in a ladder). 

This is another saying generally about the life. As we flourish, we should not forget our past life and difficulties experienced. The thinking of the past life and on those account doing good deeds while flourishing will help us to flourish more and more. 

In literal meaning also while climbing in a ladder, he should not forget the condition of loose steps, steps broken etc while getting down after climbing up for a work using the ladder. There may not be a step. While climbing up it is clearly seen and legs placed accordingly. But while coming down this could not be seen more visibly. Hence recollection is required.

    THALA MARANNU ENNA THEIKKARUTHU 

(Without knowing it is head one should not apply more oil) 

Applying limited quantity oil on the head is good. But there is an upper limit of oil which can be applied. A small kid or bald headed may require less oil. People having good growth of hair too can apply slightly more oil to keep the hair soft. 

More application of oil could lead to a lot of complications the person. 

The saying means to say, for every action, there is an upper limit. A person can work for 8 hours. He can work with straining for 10 hours. If exceeded the work will not be perfect as he is tired and he may also not able to do work and even faint. The same with all types of activities. Daily bath is required, but for that purpose, if a person spend time in water like hippopotamus?