Signification
Someone who sits still and says nothing.
Contexte culturel
Ganesha (Pillaiyar) is considered the 'God of Beginnings' and is very close to the hearts of Tamil people. Roadside temples are social hubs. The stone used for idols (granite) is believed to hold energy. However, in slang, the 'stone' part emphasizes the lack of movement. In Tamil families, being quiet is often seen as being 'pavam' (innocent/pitiful) or 'adam' (stubborn). This idiom leans toward the stubborn side. Tamil cinema often uses this idiom in comedy tracks to highlight a character's awkwardness.
Use with friends
This is a great way to break the ice with a quiet friend in a funny way.
Avoid with elders
Calling an elder a 'Kallu Pillaiyar' might be seen as disrespectful or 'cheeky'.
Signification
Someone who sits still and says nothing.
Use with friends
This is a great way to break the ice with a quiet friend in a funny way.
Avoid with elders
Calling an elder a 'Kallu Pillaiyar' might be seen as disrespectful or 'cheeky'.
Add 'Maadhiri'
Always add 'maadhiri' (like) to make it sound more natural: 'Kallu Pillaiyar maadhiri'.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
அவன் ஒரு ______ பிள்ளையார் மாதிரி உட்கார்ந்திருக்கிறான்.
The idiom specifically uses 'Kallu' (Stone) to refer to the granite statues of Ganesha.
In which situation would you use 'Kallu Pillaiyar'?
Match the situation:
The idiom describes social passivity and silence.
Fill in the missing grammar particle.
ஏன் கல்லுப் பிள்ளையார் ______ இருக்கிறாய்?
'Maadhiri' means 'like' or 'as', which is necessary to complete the comparison.
Complete the dialogue.
அம்மா: 'நான் இவ்வளவு கேட்கிறேன், நீ ஏன் பதில் சொல்லவில்லை?' மகன்: '...' அம்மா: 'பார், இன்னும் ______ மாதிரி நிற்கிறான்!'
The context of not answering a mother's question fits the 'Kallu Pillaiyar' idiom perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Quiet vs. Kallu Pillaiyar
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesஅவன் ஒரு ______ பிள்ளையார் மாதிரி உட்கார்ந்திருக்கிறான்.
The idiom specifically uses 'Kallu' (Stone) to refer to the granite statues of Ganesha.
Match the situation:
The idiom describes social passivity and silence.
ஏன் கல்லுப் பிள்ளையார் ______ இருக்கிறாய்?
'Maadhiri' means 'like' or 'as', which is necessary to complete the comparison.
அம்மா: 'நான் இவ்வளவு கேட்கிறேன், நீ ஏன் பதில் சொல்லவில்லை?' மகன்: '...' அம்மா: 'பார், இன்னும் ______ மாதிரி நிற்கிறான்!'
The context of not answering a mother's question fits the 'Kallu Pillaiyar' idiom perfectly.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot usually. It's more of a tease or a light criticism of someone's passivity.
Yes, it is gender-neutral, even though Pillaiyar is a male deity.
It uses a religious figure, but the context is entirely secular and social.
A 'Vaal' (Tail) or 'Chatterbox' (Vaaiadi).
Because stone statues are the most immovable and silent things in a Tamil village.
No, it is too informal. Use 'amaidhiyaaga' (silently) instead.
No, just that they aren't talking or moving.
Extremely common in both rural and urban Tamil Nadu.
Make sure to include the 'p' (ப்) in the middle: கல்லுப் பிள்ளையார்.
No, in Tamil, the deity is almost always called 'Pillaiyar' in this idiom.
Expressions liées
கல்லு மாதிரி
similarLike a stone
மௌன விரதம்
similarVow of silence
மரக்கட்டை
contrastLog of wood
வாயைத் திறக்காதே
builds onDon't open your mouth
