Kannada Gaade

vinASa kAlE viparIta buddi

Firstly, I am posting this from a Linux box so I will add the Gaade in Kannada script some other time. Secondly, this gaade strictly is a Sanskrit one but its used almost unchanged in Kannada.

The translated Kannada version would be “vinASa kAladalli viparIta buddi”. A literal translation into English would be “At the time of (self) destruction, one would display extreme behavior”.

This gaade is used in situations when we find someone (in a spot) showing extreme behavior. Let’s say one is cornered performing some evil act. Instead of accepting and apologizing, if the person goes offensive and counteracts, this Gaade could be used to describe the person. Such extreme behavior will always end up in disaster. Another related analogy given is that of the lamp whose wick glows and burns really brightly just as it is about to run out of oil.

ella BaNNa masi nuMgithu

ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಬಣ್ಣ ಮಸಿ ನುಂಗಿತು

Literal meaning - “The layer of black paint swallowed all the colors”

This gaade is used to describe situations when a single incident can spoil the results of a whole lot of earlier efforts. It is also used in scenarios when the good image of a person built over many years is spoilt by one bad incident. For example, if a person who is always very calm and cool loses his patience and commits a crime, his entire reputation is spoilt. The bad incident is compared to black paint which can spoil the best of paintings.

nUlinaMte sIre, tAyiyaMte magaLu

ನೂಲಿನಂತೆ ಸೀರೆ, ತಾಯಿಯಂತೆ ಮಗಳು

Literal translation - “A saree is just like the thread used to make it, a daughter is just like her mother”

This Gaade is used whenever we want to attribute the qualities of a person (physical or behavioral) to his/her genes. It can also be used when we find someone appear extremely similar to their parents.

kUtu tinnuvavanige kUDike haNa sAladu

ಕೂತು ತಿನ್ನುವವನಿಗೆ ಕೂಡಿಕೆ ಹಣ ಸಾಲದು

Literal meaning - “For someone who wants to sit at home and enjoy life, his savings will never be enough”

The actual situation under which the above Gaade is used is pretty obvious. A fit and healthy person should always work, earn his living and enjoy life. For a lazy person, no matter how much he has saved, it is only a matter of time before his resources get exhausted.

Angai Hunnige Kannadi Yaake

ಅಂಗೈ ಹುಣ್ನಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡಿ ಯಾಕೆ

Literal Meaning - “There is no need for a mirror to inspect a wound on the palm”

This gaade is used in situations where people have been caught red-handed but still ask for some proof. It is used to describe situations where things are extremely apparent but people still expect explanations for the same.

HoLeli Hunisekaayi Hindida Haage

ಹೊಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಣಸೇಕಾಯಿ ಹಿಂಡಿದ ಹಾಗೆ

Literal Meaning - “Like squeezing tamarind in the lake”.

Many Indian dishes uses tamarind juice as a base. But, if one squeezes the tamarind in a lake trying to extract its juice, it is of no use and one would never be able to obtain anything useful. Hence this Gaade is used in situations when we find someone trying to do something that’s guaranteed to be of no use.

For example, if one is repeatedly trying to advise a drunkard to give up drinking and is having no affect on the drunkard, this Gaade can be used to describe the effort of the man trying to convince the drunkard.

Uppigintha Ruchi Illa; Taayigintha Bandhu Illa

ಉಪ್ಪಿಗಿಂತ ರುಚಿಯಿಲ್ಲ; ತಾಯಿಗಿಂತ ಬಂಧು ಇಲ್ಲ

Literal meaning - “Nothing is tastier than salt; no one is closer in relation than the mother”

This Gaade is used to highlight the importance of one’s mother. Whenever there arises a situation where the mother does something for the son/daughter, this Gaade is used to describe the sacrifice of the mother. It describes the greatness of motherhood.

HettavaLige heggaNa muddu

ಹೆತ್ತವಳಿಗೆ ಹೆಗ್ಗಣ ಮುದ್ದು

Literal Meaning - “For the mother, even a bandicoot is dear”.

This is used to highlight the fact that loved ones are dear to us irrespective of, and inspite of, their qualities. So, for example, for a mother, even if her son (say) is ugly or has bad habits or is a thief, she will still think positive of him and will support and praise him in front of others.

This Gaade is used when we encounter an unreasonable display of support towards someone because of a personal connection without accepting reality or reason.

Doorada Betta Kannige Nunnage

ದೂರದ ಬೆಟ್ಟ ಕಣ್ಣಿಗೆ ನುಣ್ಣಗೆ

Literal Meaning - “From a distance, the hill appears very smooth and round”.

This Gaade is used to highlight the fact that, at a high level, every thing will always appear easy and smooth. It is only when one gets into the fine print or the details of an activity, that the true nature comes out. Used on ocassions when clarity emerges upon close inspection of something.

Haasige Iddashtu Kaalu Chaachu

ಹಾಸಿಗೆ ಇದ್ದಷ್ಟು ಕಾಲು ಚಾಚು

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.