Signification
Familiarity breeds contempt
Contexte culturel
Jasmine (Mulla) is deeply tied to Kerala's identity. Women wear it in their hair for all auspicious occasions. To say it has no smell is a powerful cultural paradox. Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) often use this to describe how they are treated when they visit home—often ignored until they show their wealth. People often ignore the medicinal herbs (like Tulsi or Neem) in their own backyard and buy expensive English medicines. Malayalam cinema often uses this theme where a 'local boy' becomes a hero only after leaving the village.
Use for Self-Deprecation
You can use this to humbly explain why you aren't famous in your hometown.
Don't be Rude
Telling someone 'Muttathe mullaykku manamilla' to their face can imply they are ungrateful or blind.
Signification
Familiarity breeds contempt
Use for Self-Deprecation
You can use this to humbly explain why you aren't famous in your hometown.
Don't be Rude
Telling someone 'Muttathe mullaykku manamilla' to their face can imply they are ungrateful or blind.
The 'kku' Rule
Remember that in Malayalam, feelings and attributes often use the dative case (-kku).
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb.
മുറ്റത്തെ മുല്ലയ്ക്ക് _________.
The standard proverb ends with 'manamilla' (no scent).
Which situation best fits the proverb?
A world-famous scientist returns to his village, but his neighbors only ask him to fix their plumbing.
This situation describes a local talent being undervalued.
Identify the correct grammatical form.
Which one is correct?
The dative '-kku' is essential for this construction.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesമുറ്റത്തെ മുല്ലയ്ക്ക് _________.
The standard proverb ends with 'manamilla' (no scent).
A world-famous scientist returns to his village, but his neighbors only ask him to fix their plumbing.
This situation describes a local talent being undervalued.
Which one is correct?
The dative '-kku' is essential for this construction.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is most commonly used for people and their talents.
No, jasmine is just the metaphor. It applies to anything local.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a speech.
There isn't a direct opposite proverb, but 'Naadan nalla nalla' (Local is good) is a common sentiment.
'Illa' means 'does not exist' (the scent is absent). 'Alla' would mean 'is not' (the jasmine is not a scent).
Yes, Tamil has 'Muttathu mullaikku manam illai' which is identical.
Yes, to explain why you want to work somewhere that values your skills.
Not at all. It is a 'timeless' proverb used by all ages.
Then the proverb doesn't apply. It's only for things that are actually good.
People sometimes just say 'Muttathe mulla...' and let the listener finish.
Expressions liées
അരികിലുള്ളതിന്റെ വില അറിയില്ല
synonymDon't know the value of what is near.
ദൂരത്തുള്ളത് മനോഹരം
similarDistant things are beautiful.
വേലി തന്നെ വിളവ് തിന്നുക
contrastThe fence itself eats the crop.
അണ്ണാൻ കുഞ്ഞും തന്നാലായത്
builds onEven a squirrel does what it can.
