Mum's Konkani Proverb collection

Alfredo de Mello

[I wish to clarify that my mother's book, is not a collection of Konkani proverbs. The title of the book is: "On the Soul of the Indian Woman" (as reflected in the folklore of the Konkan.)

It is a philosophical book, succinctly analysing how the matriarchal system prevailing in Southern India, was overwhelmed by the patriarchal system, introduced by the Aryan invasion of India.

The first chapter deals with the "Veneration of the Mother".

The second: "The various steps of the Woman's evolution through the course of the history of Indian culture".

The third "The woman, the possession of the husband".

The fourth: "The amalgamation of the Aryan and Dravidian principles".

Then there is a chapter on "Women deprived of property", followed by 2 chapters on the
philosophical and religious evolution in India and the consequences of the folk in general and on the woman in particular: a) from Vedic times till Gautama Buddha, and b) from the time of Gautama Buddha till today.

The writers who collected Konkani proverbs, were Monsignor Dalgado, Manwaring, Talmaki, etc. and there is a great sprinkling of these proverbs, reflecting the course of history as far as women were concerned.

My mother also collected in Goa some unedited Konkani proverbs, which were not recorded by the above authors.

It would be too long to dwell on these proverbs, but I shall merely mention the proverbs collected by Hedwig Bachmann ( my mother):]

"Bhavachi tchavi rakta bhauzoi"
My brother's key is kept by my sister-in-law

"Konkannantlo ghov naka; kappod vhellar vhorum, punn to moje vattek vochum naka"
I do not want a husband from the Konkan, let him leave me in peace and take back the sari that he gave me"

"Dogamxivai gaddi chollona"
The bullock-cart cannot go without both of them - The flour from the husband, the salt from the wife.

"Mellbar polleun cholta to, khoddyan poddta"
He who runs while contemplating the firmament, will stumble.

"Atanchi bail vhoddli zaunk sodta, punn tika kapodd nessunk yenam"
The wife of today tries to look superior, but does not know how to wear her sari properly.

"Guirestachea kalshak burak assa"
The water-pot of the rich has holes

"Thoddyant goddi assa"
In little lies sweetness

"Sunecho gunn humbryabbitor yetanch kollta "
The character of the daughter-in-law is recognised when she crosses the threshold.

"Avoicho dollo bhurguechya pottar, bailecho dollo ghovachea duddvanr"
The mother is anxious about her son's stomach, and the wife about her wealth.

"Tujeakhatir kelem pun maka mell'lem"
It was made for you, but in the end it belongs to me. (This proverb originated in the popular legend which relates that the Parajhatak tree had been planted by Krishna in the courtyard of his wife Satyabhama, but that the flowers of the tree fell into the courtyard of his favourite wife Rukmini)

Bailechya nakant na nath, tika na patha"
The woman without a nose-ring (a widow) has no credit.

"Zanvyachem potem sodanch ritem"
The son-in-law's sack is never full.

"Caulleachem roddnem sorgar pavonam"
The crowing of crows does not reach heaven.

"Bhurgueache paen painnyant distat"
The feet of the child are seen in he cradle.

"Dityealyeatso hat vair, ghetyealyatso sakall"
The hand of the giver remains above and that of the receiver below.

"Vel zaddachivai, bail ghavachivai"
The creeper without a tree, the woman without a husband.

"Ekkti Devassarkhi sukhi"
Quite alone - I am as happy as a god .

"Bhavart asta thoim Dev asta "
Where belief is, there God is.

"Janma marranapassun mukti mellonam kelya shivai bhakti"
There is no release (moksha) from the suffering of re-birth without Bhakti.

"Bhoil xenddiyar ,bhott dhanvta, bhott xenddlyai konn dhanvta ?"
When the ox jumps away, the priest, its master, jumps to its aid; if the priest vanishes, who will be able to go and fetch him ?

"Xuddhy orvim bechalls kullan uddhorlim"
With the proof of chastity (a Sati) release forty-two generations.
 

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These are only the proverbs, unedited before, which my Mother collected, and which appear in the second volume of her book.

Alfredo de Mello

presently traveling somewhere in Italia !!

Best wishes to all,
Alfredo de Mello
Sep 04 1999                                             
presently traveling somewhere in Italia !!

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