Help Me Translate this Tamil Inscription in this Image

Hello everyone,

I’m trying to find a translation for the writing on this picture:

The image was taken by my supervisor in India, and he’s graciously allowed me to print it. I’m curious as to what the text reads, though. He tells me the text is written in Tamil. The image was taken in Mamallapuram in South India.

I would greatly appreciate anyone who can help me with this. :slight_smile:

  • Jill

“Kadavulai Mara Manithanai Ninai”/“Forget God. Think about people.”

(The man pictured is Periyar)

Actually, there are two characters at the end against a white background which, so far as I can tell, are just the start of a repeat of the quote (“Kada”).

Also, I suppose it is literally “Think about man”. Given how pedantic I’m currently being in that other thread about how masculine terms are not truly capable of being gender-generic in English, perhaps I shouldn’t gloss over these things in other languages.

Also, that Wikipedia link for Periyar should have gone directly here.

Thank you so very much for this! Much appreciated.

(can I just say how much I love this message board? Where else can you get a Tamil translation in under 12 hours from a stranger :slight_smile: