താമര
tāmara/t̪aːmɐɾɐ/
The English word 'lotus' is translated into Malayalam as താമര (tāmara).
This term refers to the aquatic plant of the genus Nelumbo.
Meaning: plant of the genus Nelumbo (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is tāmara.
Did you know?
- In traditional Kerala art and dance, such as Kathakali, the താമര is a common hand gesture or 'mudra' used to represent the flower or beauty.
- In many Indian languages including Malayalam, the word for 'lotus' is often used as a poetic metaphor for beautiful eyes, frequently described as 'lotus-eyed'.
- The lotus is central to the iconography of the goddess Lakshmi in Kerala, where she is often depicted standing or sitting on a താമര to symbolize prosperity.
Examples in context
- താമര ഒരു മനോഹരമായ പൂവാണ്.thaamara oru manoharamaya poovannu.The lotus is a beautiful flower.
- കുളത്തിൽ ഒരു താമര വിരിഞ്ഞുനിൽക്കുന്നു.kulathil oru thaamara virinju nilkkunnu.A lotus is blooming in the pond.
- എനിക്ക് താമര ഇഷ്ടമാണ്.enikku thaamara ishtamannu.I like the lotus.
Example conversation
Vishnu and Sridevi are looking at a garden pond.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuശ്രീദേവി, ആ കുളത്തിൽ താമര ഉണ്ടോ?Sridevi, aa kulathil thaamara undo?Sridevi, is there a lotus in that pond?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅതെ, വിഷ്ണു, അവിടെ ഒരു താമരയുണ്ട്.athe, Vishnu, avide oru thaamarayundu.Yes, Vishnu, there is a lotus there.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅതിന്റെ നിറം വളരെ മനോഹരമാണ്.athinte niram valare manoharamannu.Its color is very beautiful.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅതെ, താമര കാണാൻ നല്ല ഭംഗിയാണ്.athe, thaamara kaanan nalla bhangiyannu.Yes, the lotus is lovely to look at.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lotus” translations and entries താമര, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
