Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
Haasige Iddashtu Kaalu Chaachu
Literal Meaning - "Stretch your legs only as much as the cot allows you to".
This Gaade is used to highlight the importance of moderation in one's life style. If one stretches his or her legs beyond the cot, then discomfort is guaranteed. Similarly, one should spend money only within one's capabilities. The same applies to indulgence in any other matter. We should stick to our limits is the moral of this Gaade.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Moorti chikkadaadaru keerthi doddadu
Literal Meaning - "Even if the physical form is small, the fame is big"
This Gaade is used in situations where we find some one short in height having achieved something significant. Whenever a short or small man does something significant, this Gaade is typically used. Sometimes this Gaade is also used with a negative connotation indicating that the small person is up to something fishy.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Beeso DoNne Tappisi Kondare Saavira Varusha Aayassu
Literal Meaning - "If you escape from the stick being waved at you, you will live a thousand years"
This Gaade is used to indicate that sometimes situation so demands that escaping from a current problem is most important and a feeling that every thing else can be handled if this single issue is resolved arises. People sometimes say - "I just need to get out of this mess. I will settle everything else and handle any other challenge successfully". This Gaade aptly describes such situations.
Friday, March 03, 2006
baDavara mane ooTa chenna doDDavara mane nOTa chenna
Literal Meaning - "The food in a poor man's home is tasty; while the rich man's home is nice to look at"
This Gaade is used to highlight the fact that hospitality and friendliness have nothing in relation to money and position. A poor man treats guests well and feeds them good while a rich man may be interested in only building upon his wealth and displaying it.
This Gaade is used in situations when a wealthy man "shows off" his wealth or when one receives good treatment from a poor man.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
MaaDodella Anachaara Mane Munde Brindavana
Literal Meaning - "One does all kinds of wrong deeds, but has got a Brindavana in front of the house"
Brindavana means abode of God. It is also the pot in which the sacred tulsi plant is grown. It is a symbol of pious living and practice. This Gaade is used to highlight the double natured living of some people whereby they perform all kinds of evil deeds and actions but put up the face of an innocent person.
Monday, February 27, 2006
ALiya ALLa MagaLa Ganda
Literal Meaning - "He is not my son-in-law, but my daughter's husband"
This gaade is used to highlight the ability of some people to twist and turn their narration to mean the same thing but say it in different words. Essentially, this is used to highlight the ability of some people to play around with words.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Ibbara JagaLa Mooraneyanavanige Laabha
Literal meaning - "In a fight between two, the third person benefitted"
This is used to highlight the problems with fighting and the fact that the parties involved in the fight almost always lose out and some rank outsider stands to gain. Used to highlight the importance of not fighting.
Ganda Hendira JagaLadalli Koosu Badavaayithu
Literal Meaning - "In the fight between husband and wife, the child became weak"
This is used to highlight the fact that in situations where people need to co-operate and work together, if they end up fighting, then the intended beneficiary is affected. Also used to indicate that when two people fight, a third, related party could suffer.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Athiyaadare Amruthavoo Visha
Literal Meaning - "If taken in excess, even Amrutha (divine nectar) is poison".
This Gaade is used to stress the importance of moderation in life. Even good things are bad if found or used in excess. If one is overly humble, people can exploit such a person. If one overeats, one can become obese and lose health. Many other such examples can be found in real life and this Gaade highlights the same fact.
Akki MeLe Aase Nenatara MeLe Preeti
Literal meaning - "Desire over rice; love over relatives". If one does not like to spend the rice he has at home but is equally interested in serving his guests/relatives well, one faces a dilemma.
This is used to describe the dilemma that people sometimes face when they have to give up something they like in order to obtain another item. When the both the objects are nice to have but only one can be had, the dilemma one faces is describe with this Gaade.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Haavu Sayolla Kolu Muriyalla
Literal meaning : " Neither the Snake dies nor the stick breaks"
This is used to indicate when there is an impasse on any issue and it doesn't get solved when the same actions/strategy is employed repeatedly without any progress. One is expected to kill the snake with the stick. But if you keep on beating ineffectively without killing the snake its waste of time/effort.
Ganda Hendira Jagala Vundu Malaguva Thanaka
Literal meaning : "The fight between Husband and wife is temporary and always ends before they have dinner and go to bed"
This is used to indicate that two people can have all kind of fights and differences. But at end of the day they forget, patch up and continue thier life.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Huttu GuNa Suttaru Hogalla
Literal meaning – “That quality which comes by birth does not go away even when burnt (when the person dies)”
This is used when we come across some people who have certain habits which they never change. Also used to indicate the evil present in a person by attributing it to be have been engrained in him.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Uppu Thinda Mele Neeru Kudiyale Baeku
Literal meaning – “If you have salt, you have to drink water”
This is similar to the saying “As you sow, so you reap”. Its used to highlight the consequences of one’s actions. Bad actions are always guaranteed to bring about negative results.
Monday, August 22, 2005
beLLagirOdella haalalla
Literal meaning - "All that is white is not milk"
This is used to highlight the importance of not taking things at face value. A person cannot be judged purely based on how he appears. True character will come out only upon close inspection and thought.
Friday, August 19, 2005
vEda suLLaadaru gaade suLLaagadu
Literal meaning - "Even if the holy scriptures are wrong, wise sayings can never be wrong".
This one is used to highlight the depth of knowledge and experience that "sayings" possess. Since they have come alive due to practical experiences and intellect of our forefathers, they possess tremendous relevance even to this day.
Note: Thanks to MadhuSimha, I am now able to post the titles in Kannada as well. Enjoy!!
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Ati Aase Gati Kaedu
Literal meaning - "Too much desire will lead to disaster"
This is of course one of the oldest sayings and is used to advise people against too much greed. This promotes the concept of simple living and control over desires.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Yeradu Kai Saeridrene ChappaaLe
Literal meaning - "Only if both hands join together, can we clap"
This is used to describe situations where we sought the co-operation of someone else in completing the job and is used to indicate that only with their help, the task can be accomplished.
Also used in situations where something bad has occurred between two people and both have had a role to play in spoiling it.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Rogi Bayasiddu Haalu Anna Vaidya HeLiddu Haalu Anna
Literal meaning - "The patient wanted milk and rice and the doctor prescribed milk and rice".
This is used in situations when the thoughts of two people match, especially when one of them desires something which the other can provide. More casually, this can be used when one gets what he wants.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Shiva Poojeli Karadi Banda Haage
Literal meaning - "Like the bear which appeared during God's worship".
This is used to point to someone that he/she is an intruder or an unwanted guest in something. This saying has its equivalent in almost all languages, with the Hindi version "Kabaab Mein Haddi..." being the most famous.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Baeleenay Eddu Hola Meythu
This is commonly used to indicate when someone who is championing a cause acts contrary to it. For example, if the caretaker of an item destroys it, this saying becomes appropriate.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Aaru Kaasu Kotre Atte Kade Mooru Kaasu Kotre Sose Kade
Essentially, this is used to describe someone showing the beige color syndrome. This saying perfectly describes fence-sitters who seem to jump sides at the drop of a hat and never seem to have a standing of their own.
Friday, August 05, 2005
HaLoorige ULidavane Gowda
This is used on ocassions where someone has reached a position or assumed a role by default as there are no other contenders/candidates available. Also used in situations when no one is interested in a position and hence the only one remaining dons the mantle.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Hosa Vaidyanigintha HaLe Rogine Vaasi
This one is of course used in scenarios where experience, rather than qualification, plays a hand in handling a situation. One of the most widely used Gaades in Kannada.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Sankata Bandaaga Venkataramana
This is used when we find people remembering God and praying to God only during troubled times and conveniently ignoring our duties towards God when things are fine. This can also be used if someone approaches an individual seeking help but ignoring the person at other times.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Koti Taanu Kedodalde Vananella Kedasthu
This is used whenever one is found influencing his or her way on others. Especially if the influence happens to be a negative one. For example, if someone passes on a cigarette to his/her friend and encourages smoking, this quotation can be used to describe the situation.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Hoovina Jote Naaru Swargakke Hoytu
This one is used to indicate that someone free-rode his/her way to a benefit while the actual effort was by someone else. Trivial example - when someone just proof-reads a paper and gets credited as a co-author. Ok - bad example...but helps in appreciating the quotation!
Friday, July 29, 2005
Kaamaale Kannige Kaanodella HaLadi
This is used to describe a person who has a very narrow viewpoint on a certain matter and refuses to _see_ any other point of view. Mostly used when that viewpoint is pessimistic and negative. For example, if someone smells a conspiracy in everything or if someone alleges wrong doing on somebody, this quotation is used.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Yaardo Duddu Yellamana Jaatre
This one is used when we find someone spending lavishly or consuming a resource without care just because it belongs to someone else. For example, its used when someone orders an exotic dish at a restaurant just because someone else is footing the bill.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Hittala Gida Maddalla
Literal meaning - "The plant growing in the backyard is not medicine".
This one is used mostly in situations where external advice or
guidance is what finally convinces one about something while all the
internal efforts failed. For example, if someone refuses to listen to
the advice of parents or relatives on a topic and then accepts the
same advice from an outsider, this saying is used to describe the
situation.
This is also sometimes used when home treatment doesn't work for an
illness and medical advice is required.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Shanka Dinda Bidrene Theertha
According to the hindu religion, water poured from a conch on to God's idol is considered holy water and nothing else comes close to it. Hence this saying is used on ocassions when people need a mouthful from the right authority to make them realize or do something. Used to emphasize the fact that right authority always has its effect.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Manasiddare Maarga
Literal meaning - "If you have the intentions, there is always a way"
This is of course the kannada equivalent of "Where there is a will,
there is a way". Used to encourage one to pick up a challenging task.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Hallu Iddavanige Kadle Illa Kadle Iddavanige Hallu Illa
Literal meaning - "One who has teeth does not have peanuts to eat
while the one who has peanuts does not have teeth"
This is used to describe situations where different people crave for
different things based on what they lack. It is used to indicate the
paradox of life.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Attege Ondu Kaala Sosege Ondu Kaala
This is roughly equivalent to "Every Dog has its day" and is used to indicate that every person will get his or her chance some day.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Jatti Jaari Bidru Meese MannaagaLilla
This is used mostly as a sarcastic remark against people who hold their position on a topic (and make an excuse) even when they have been exposed on their stance.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Tumbida Koda TuLukolla
This is used to whenever we find someone who is rich (or famous) yet very humble and down-to-earth.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Tanna Yeleli Katte Biddidru Pakkada Yele Nona Odisthane
Used in cases where people point out mistakes in others when they themselves have huge and glaring deficiencies in them.
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Alpanige Aishwarya Bandre Ardha Raatrili Kode Hidida
This saying is used to highlight the pompiness that some people suddenly display upon a change of their financial or social status.