Some Tulu proverbs..

1. Bele danthina Aachari baaleda pinkan kettiye!

Literal: That the jobless carpenter chiseled at the bums of a kid.

Meaning: A person, indulging in unwanted, unproductive work without purpose.

2. Aane saithandala aiku laksha kattale bele undu.

Literal: Even if an elephant dies, it values in lakhs. [of rupees]

Meaning: Great personalities are valued even after their death.

3. Matti kettidina Marle leka!

Literal: Acts like a mad fellow, if tipsiness exceeds its limit.

Meaning: A person should act within his limits.

4. Aaragyave bhaagya!

Literal: Health is wealth.

Meaning: In one’s life, health is more essential than material wealth and so it should not be neglected.

5. Alpagu aishwarya thikanda madya raatridala kode budpavege!

Literal: If an inferior person gets riches, he holds an umbrella over his head even at midnight.

Meaning: An indirect way of saying a person should be poised and should maintain his emotional balance, when fortune smiles on him.

Equivalent: No pride is like that of a enriched beggar.

6. Maamigu onji kaala, marmalegu onji kaala!

Literal: There is a time for mother-in-law and a time for daughter-in-law.

Meaning: Every dog has his day.

7. Dudde doddappa

Literal: Money is the godfather.

Meaning: Money is everything in the real world.

8. Matherna illada dosedu vottene!

Literal: Dosa made in every house has pores.

Meaning: We all have same sorrows and joys in different forms, which is understood but not mentioned.

9. Yedata nettigu hakanda balada nettigu taagundu!

Literal: if you pat the left side of the head, it struck the right side of the head.

Meaning: He struck at Tib but down fell the Tim.

10. Kandani bodedina ladai jeppo mutta!

Literal: The strife between a husband and wife lasts only till they dine and go to bed.

Meaning: Disagreements between people in love are forgotten easily.

11. Dainandala baggavoli, maranu baggavoliya?

Literal: It is rather easier to bend a sapling than a tree.

Meaning: Those who have trouble following rules as young will get worse when they get older.

12. Haasige ittinathu kaaru pudpavodu.

Literal: Stretch your legs as much as the bed.

Meaning: This is a warning to live within one’s means.

13. Idi murkundala munku mitthe!

Literal: Though he drowned completely. his nose is still above the water.

Meaning: Though vanquished he could argue still.

14. Jana marla jaatre marla?

Literal: Are the people stupid or the crowd stupid?

Meaning: This proverb bemoans the irrational behavior of normal people in large crowds.

15. Kaasu itanda kailaasa ijjinda vanavaasa!

Literal: If you have money, it's paradise,otherwise it's a reclusive life.

Meaning: In a society high status and position are yours if you are rich otherwise people ignore you.

16. Aanen derpare aanene aavodu!

Literal: To lift an elephant an elephant is a must.

Meaning: Great jobs requires great efforts!

17. Mannu du bathina mannuge podu!

Literal: From mud to the mud.

Meaning: Whatever comes from Mother Earth goes back to Mother Earth.

18. Illagu maari oorugu upakari!

Literal: Samaritan to the society and a devil at home.

Meaning: A trouble maker at home may be a samaritan to the society.

19. Madime malpadu tuvodu, illu kattadu tuvodu!

Literal: Try arranging a marriage, try building a house.

Meaning: Arranging a marriage or building a house should be experienced by oneself to actually understand the difficulties.

20. Basale da dompogu kanji kattadu batthi laka!

Literal: Like tieing a calf to a spinach support.

Meaning: People are always in a hurry.

21. Illagu thu burgina kedu toderegu poye!

Literal: When the house is on fire he began to dig a well.

Meaning: Do work before it's too late.

22. Urcheregu bannaga bithillu nadondu poye!

Literal: He went looking for open space when he needed to shit!

Meaning: Do not wait until the last minute to complete your work.

23. Mangana kaittu manikya korileka!

Literal: Giving Ruby in the hands of a monkey.

Meaning: Giving something valuable in the hands of an idiot.

24. 24. Mandedu kullanda baigu urchuve!

Literal: If he sits on your head he will shit into your mouth.

Meaning: If you promote a cunning person, he will cheat you.

25. Naigu salige kornda bisaleda nesal nakkundu!

Literal: If the dog is given freedom it will lick the cooking pot.

Meaning: If too much freedom is given to anyone they may take undue advantage of you.

26. Naida beela yepaglaa domku

Literal: Dog's tail is always bent

Usage: This is said of a person who engages himself in crooked ways (bad behaviour) and not inclined to mend his ways.

27. Onji kebitt kenddu bokonji kebitt budodu!

Literal: Hear it out from one ear and leave it out from the other ear.

Meaning: To turn a deaf ear to something unimportant.

28. 28. Punyathme muttina maatha bangar!

Literal: Whatever the lucky person touches becomes gold.

Meaning : The lucky fellow has King Midas touch.

29. Sathyag saavijji, sullugu jayaijji!

Literal: Truth dies not, lie wins not.

Meaning: Truth always triumphs and lie never prevails!

30. Mara puttinalpane, naramani poyinalpane”

Meaning : Tree remains where it was grown, but man can prosper anywhere he goes.

Traditional Jewellery of Tulunadu

At the time of wedding as well as numerous other occasions, a Bunt woman is gifted jewelry by her parents and relatives. Jewellery is considered auspicious and a status symbol. The traraditional jewellery of Tulunadu is what makes the Bunt weddings so rich and unique in their own manner.

The traditional gold jewellery is passed on for generations and families hold jewellery made many decades ago. The different jewellery includes armlets, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, earrings, fingerings, toe rings, nose rings, anklets, pendants and waistbands. Tulunadu follow their unique designs and they have unique names too!

1. V shape eternity ring which is the wedding ring for a Bunt woman - vadungeela. (The ungila / ring that the groom slips into the vadu / bride's finger)
2. Finger ring – Ungila
3. A five ring connected gold jewellery for all the fingers in a hand - Panchaungila
4. Bangle - Bale
5. Thick bangle - Kadaga
6. Armlet, an upper arm ornament - Vanki
7. Short chain - Sara
8. Long chains till the chest or waist - Mala
9. Necklace - Kanti Sara
10. Pendant - Padaka
11. Talisman - Urku , a charm worn by toddlers and young children to avert evil and bring good fortune.
12. A pipal leaf shaped pendant the groom ties on the bride on their wedding day – Thaali.
13. Mangalsutra / chain of black beads which depicts the marital status of a woman - Kariyamani da sara
14. Earring - Kebita
15. Ear studs - Bendole
16. Small studs worn by men – Vonti
17. Dangling earrings – Lolak, ole
18. Support for earrings and is made of gold or pearls & is hooked to the earring & then attached to the hair above the ear – Thang
19. An earring or stud worn on the upper half of the ear - Koppu
20. Traditional bell shape earrings which are long and bulky with detailed designing - Jhumkis
21. Crown - Kirita
22. A small tinsel forehead ornament - Bottu
23. Tassels tied to plait ends - Tareta gonde
24. Hair ornament with hair pin is attached to the top of the braid or in buns to hold them in place - Tareta poo
25. Chain used to adorn the centre forehead parting of the women / Indian maang tika - Mundole ( Munda = forehead, ole = hanging)
26. Nose stud - a small stud let into the flesh of the nostril on one side, generally of diamond - Moonkutti.
27. A very small gold tinsel nose ornament - Moonkuda bottu.
28. Dangling nose ring usually made of gold, pearls and stones - Nath.
29. A bull ring usually pushed ( rarely pierced ) on the dividing wall between the nostrils - Bulak
30. Waistband (known as Kamarband in Hindi) which is worn tightly around the waist & is made of gold and is studded with precious stones. Pendant of sitting Goddess Laxmi in the center is most popular – Bangarada Patti
31. Waist chain - sonta da noolu
32. Flexible anklets made by joining rings of metal, usually silver – Padasara
33. Immovable anklets, usually in silver which are made like bangles with a gap to fit into the ankle – Kada.
34. Pair of toe rings which is a symbol of a married woman and usually made of silver - Kaar ungila
35. Diamond – Vajjira
36. Coral – Pakala
37. Pearl - Muttu
38. Dancing Bells/ Ghungroo - Gejje

39. Mallimuggu Sara: Jasmine bud necklace inspired by the beauty and fragrance of jasmine buds.
40. Kukkumudi Sara: Mango Mala is a necklace of small golden mangoes, our favourite tropical fruit, sometimes extending down to the waist. Each gold mango is crafted in three dimensions and set with stones sometimes. The back of the mangoes are finished with a smooth texture to make it comfortable to wear.
41. Pavan Sara: A necklace of gold coins is strung on an intricately patterned gold chain.
42. Misiri Mala: Light weight small gold disc on which the image of Goddess Laxmi is printed and strung on gold thread.
43. Navarathna Sara: A necklace with nine precious gems, a ruby, diamond, natural pearl, red coral, hessonite, blue sapphire, cat's eye, yellow sapphire and emerald together are known as the Navarathna.
44. Gili Ole: Traditional pearl earrings with the design of parrot head, 3 small bell shape jumkas dangle from the centerpiece and it has and a few rubies/ corals also.
45. Kajipukai Sara: A chain with small gold vegetables and fruits. Usually lac is filled inside these.
46. Gejjetic Kantasara/ Gejje Addige Sara: Thick herringbone band of necklace on which round bells are fixed at the bottom.
47. Beduru Bale: Bamboo design bangle
48. Teru Bale: This bangle has the repeated design of a canopy of a chariot.
49. Ashtalaxmi Mala: A long chain with eight pendants depicting the Goddess Laxmi in diff
50. Gundu Sara: The chain is made from small hollow gold beads that are strung on a gold chain.
51. Godhi Sara: This wheat chain is crafted with small and dainty whole wheat charms.
52. Nanya : Handmade old gold coins.
53. Mohun Mala : A long necklace made of large gold beads, with an interval of gold twisted thread between each bead.

54. Decorative key chain ( usually in silver & sometimes even gold ) for a woman’s household keys. They have hooks to hang from the sari at the waist and a key ring for the keys. An ornate design covers the keys so that they are not visible. An elegant artistically designed trinket: Tharkol da Gonchil.
55. Chain Buttons are Cuff- links -style kurta buttons in Gold or silver which are joined by chain (which are detachable actually): Manila da Gubbi

56. A female's ornament worn in the tip of the ear - bugudi

COOLIE

He uses his energy
beyond regular hours of work,
A means of earning money
from morning till dark.

Takes short spells of rest
the body ceases from exertion,
Rise from sleep he must
and work till oblivion.

Premonition:

Many times I had premonitions that something was going to happen & it always did. So it didn’t come as a surprise to me when I had an indication of my mother’s death in the form of dream. After all someone like my mother who close to me was about to leave us forever.

My mother passed away 8 years ago on 23 rd December, 2002. I was in Pune and had a disturbed dream one night in December. In my dream I saw mother walking.

“Where are you going Amma?” I asked her.

“To meet your sister Namitha, she is waiting for me in the car" she replied walking past me.

She seemed to be in a hurry. I could see our old white Ambassador car MYG 9161 parked at a distance. When I woke up I could vividly recall every detail of the dream.

Mother in my dream was in a hurry to meet my sister Namitha who had passed seven years earlier. Mother had taken her death very badly and her health started deteriorating after that. Another point to be noted is that Amma had donated our old white Ambassador to Dharamasthala Temple, a famous Vishwanath Temple near Mangalore. So the fact that she was going to meet my sister who was no more and in a car which now belonged to a temple really scared me.

I spoke about my dream to my husband. He told me not to worry as he was leaving to our hometown Mangalore (and where my mother resided) the very same day. My husband Balajith reached Mangalore and informed me that mother was doing fine.

Exactly four days after my dream, she passed away. She had her breakfast and had passed away while napping. I was glad she was not alone when she breathed her last because she always feared she would die alone and no one would be near her. I rushed to Mangalore for the last rites, as soon as I got the news.

AMMA: 1994, she was 63 when this pic was clicked. In front of r Mangalore Home.

CHAKRARTI

It can be dismantled when not in use and stored.


The journey of a lamp:
When lamps became a part of the home and temple decor, metal workers made their lamps more and more ornamental. Some were even made of silver and gold.

Gold and silver lamps were for palaces, temples and rich men’s houses. Some were ratnadipa — lamps set with gems. In old tales and poetry such lamps emit light without oil and wick. Then there were arti-dipa — (prayer lamps) and archana-dipa — (lamps for offering).

Some lamps were hung from the ceiling, while others rose in tiers, and yet others branched like a tree — vriksha-dipa. The bedroom lamp was ratipradipa, which suggested love-making.These, old ornamental Indian lamps, are now the collectors’ items.

EKA AARATHI

This DEEPA has a sturdy handle and a pedestal base.

KOORMA ARATI

An attractive brass turtle diya used for traditional aarti with a beautifully carved handle.

Aarti involves the circulating of the 'Aarti lamp' around a deity. In doing so, the lamp is supposed to acquire the power of the deity. The lamp is circulated to all those present. They cup their down-turned hands over the flame and then raise their palms to their forehead - the purificatory blessing, passed from the deva's image to the flame, has now been passed to the devotee.

HALAGE PANCHARATI

This lamp is a collector's item! This stunning multi-petaled diya has five small diyas resembling the petals of a flower. Since so many flames will naturally heat up the brass, this one has a long, elegant but sturdy handle by which you can hold this diya and perform the aarti during prayer.

When offering Arti, using a lamp with five wicks, the platter containing this lit lamp should be waved in a full circle in front of the Deity. Then it is circulated among the devotees in a devasthana or temple after the arti ceremony is performed to God. Then everybody passes their hands over the lighted lamp ( to take the warmth signifying God's blessings) and then over their forehead.

SARPARATHI

20th century brass cobra sculpture lamp.

GOPURARTI

A gleaming tower (gopura ) of brass with four tiers of diyas to offer '31 wick / batti da pooja'. The lamp is resting on a heavy and stable base. It has an intricately carved round stand and a sturdy handle to provide perfect grip. It has a large brass bowl atop to serve as the main diya that can hold a thick wick and enough oil for the flame to burn for hours! Rows upon rows of bright, flickering, orange flames in this beautiful floor lamp. It can be dismantled when not in use and stored away.

TAPPALE

This shape tappale is used for bathing.

JEWEL BOX

Top of the Jewel Box