Podu? WTF?

The Tamil word 'Podu' has multiple meanings and usages. It is always used as a suffix and mostly as an intransitive verb with a noun or other words. Podu is a very versatile word and its usages will be known only by experience reading Tamil texts and hearing conversations. Roughly translated, it is 'put' in English or 'daalo' in Hindi.

Like for example, Whistle Podu (the famous byline of a certain cricket franchise in India) - literally it means blow the whistle; colloquially it means whistle maaro in Hindi.

Let's now look at how it is used in other scenarios.

1. To Cast, throw, to make

Vote Podu – Cast your vote – Vote daal do.

BowlingPodu - Bowl the ball

Goal Podu – Score a Goal

2. To put, set in a position, to apply, to lay

Anga Podu – Put it there

Vinnappam Podu – Apply for a job or request for something

Sattam Podu – Make a law or impose

3.To fasten or to put on

Thazhppal Podu – Fasten the bolt

Nagai or Sattai Podu – Wear an ornament or a shirt

4. To bring out or to publish

Putttagam Podu - Print and publish a book

5. To work on a sum

Kanakku Podu – work out a sum like in mathematics.

6.To draw a figure or create art

Kolam Podu - Draw/Make a rangoli

Bommai Podu - draw a figure or cartoon

7. To serve food

Sappadu or Soru Podu -serve the food

8. To strike, to stamp or to beat

Adi Podu - beat

9. To sow or to plant

Vidhai Podu - sow the seed

10.To use or to apply/use

Mookkuppodi Podu-apply / use snuff

11. To drink, colloquially

Tanni or Sarakku Podu - drink liquor.

There are other uses of probably the most versatile word in Tamil – Podu. We will discuss in detail in maybe another post. Till then, Line Podu. Never leave a t-shirt blank macha. An idea, a line, a graphic, art or anything – Line Podu macha!

This piece has been sourced and edited. Thanks to https://www.quora.com/profile/Krishnama-Ramadurai