Saturday 21 March 2015

Kili

Kili

        There are two types of buses in Kerala – private buses and transport buses (yes that is how state Govt. owned buses are called in Kerala) .All transport buses have a driver and a conductor like all buses in the country. But the private buses have one more person to take care of it. This blog is about that person.


        The third person of the bus is called a ‘Kili’. The literal meaning of this word is bird. How this person came to be called ‘Kili’ is not really known. Now, let us look at the purpose behind the existence of this person. This person is there to ensure that the people get in to the bus in zero time. He stops the bus with a single bell and makes the traveler get down before the bus stops. He starts the bus with a double bell and ensures the bus moves just when the last traveler has his/her foot on the footboard. Many a time, some ‘Kilis’ get in to trouble for getting a tad bit too pushy and shovey especially when the women folk get in to the bus.


        Having said all this, there are also kilis who are kind enough to help elderly people get on and alight safely from the-always-in-a-hurry buses J.

Keywords : Malayali blog, Malayalee blog, Kerala blog, Mallu blog, Kerala, Malayalee, Namaskaram, Malayalam, Onam, God's own country, Back waters, Coconut, Coconut oil, Coconut trees

4 comments:

  1. Ethoru pennu olichodiyalum dushperu pavam 'Kiliyku'

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  2. "How this person came to be called ‘Kili’ is not really known."
    cleaner -----> cle -----------------> കിളി (killi)

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    Replies
    1. 👍 By far the closest possible explanation though relying only on phonetics...

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    2. i agree with this. I also heard it from another person. KILI from "KLEENER"/CLEANER

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