Social media has helped  in the revival of quotes, proverbs and Adages. Open any one of the accounts in the morning and we see many messages carrying interesting ones. To us, it may mean just words with a simplified Meaning at the onset but dig a little deeper and we get its real purpose. Many of such adages have lost in time or got misrepresented in their meaning and are being  considered out of time. But if we contemplate if we really know the purpose it is intended for, we may be in for a surprise.

Thankfully with many thanks to the elders, we come across quite a few adages in Tamil. The moment it is uttered and if it is something unheard of, I make a note of it and try to find the inner meaning of it. Most of the times, we hear it when elders at home communicate their emotions or piece of advice to youngsters at home.   There are quite a few adages  like

“Agaththin azhagu Mugaththil theriyum” (அகத்தின் அழகு முகத்தில் தெரியும்) – Beauty of the Mind is known from the Face that implies Face is the index of mind.  We also find there are more relevant proverbs which reflect happenings around us today.

“Aazham paarkama kaalai vidathe” (ஆழம் பார்க்காம காலை விடாதே) – Do not step in without knowing the depth

“Nizhalin arumai Veyyililthaan theriyum” (நிழலின் அருமை வெயிலில்தான் தெரியும்) – You understand the importance of shade only when you face the hot sun

 “Kaduku Siruththaalum kaaram kuraiyathu” (கடுகு சிறுத்தாலும் காரம் குறையாது) – The mustard may be small but its spicy nature does not reduce. It implies that we should not measure the worth of a person by their size

One such adage very commonly used and familiar with most of us is the topic that Director Naga has chosen today.  It was really surprising to see a casual line loaded with so much inner meaning and goes on to touch our traditional roots which we are not aware of though we have heard the line that is the basis of this video.

Here is the video –