Proverbs in Thanjavur Marathi (2)

While on a quest for idioms and proverbs preserved among the TMDs, sad to say, not many are in use today. The influx of English over Marathi as a means of communication and intermarriages with Kannada speaking Deshasthas has allowed a slow death of these precious gems of any language.

Proverbs and idioms or Sayings give strength to a language and in a language so preserved over generations, it helps to enhance the language  to a level of recognition as a dialect of the Mother Language- Standard Marathi.

While I still continue my search for more of such proverbs and sayings, which I shall add periodically, here are some...

"Chorta la vinchu chaavlaska"

"चोरटाला विंचू चाव्लेस्का "

Meaning: Like a thief getting bitten by a scorpion

This saying is used to describe....
Getting stuck when doing something wrong or illegal but cannot call for help as they would be caught in the wrong or illegal act!
A thief when in the process of robbing a house gets bitten by a scorpion, he cannot call for help as he would be caught for burglary!

"Goricha gorapan diwas ujaltra kallal"

"गोरीच गोरापण दिवस उगल्त्र कलेल "

Meaning: A fair complexioned girl's fairness will be known when it is daylight/morning. Perhaps this means something like "the proof of the pudding is in the eating"

"Nitya ganda purna ayisha"

"नित्य गंड पूर्ण आयुष"
Meaning: Sick everyday but living a full life term. This is used for people who complain about some illness or the other everyday, yet have a full life expectancy and  live to a ripe old age

"Undirala Manzar Saakshi"

" उन्दिराला मांझर साक्षी "

Meaning: Cat as witness to the Mouse .
Having an enemy as a witness does not help.

"Potaavar Maaruka, Paathivar Maara" 
 " पोटावर मारुका पाठीवर मारा "
 Meaning: Do not hit on the stomach, hit on the back.
Here 'stomach' refers to 'livelihood' . A beating on the back is better than taking away a livelihood.


More in my next post....