Pithavu is one who ptotects not a gender based noun

Recently, I was watching Malayalam TV and in a play the word "Pithaavu' (Father) came up. In the play a boy describes his benefactress as his "pithaavu" (father). Others deride him and ask him how a woman can be his father (achan). The boy says, I said Pithaavu and not achan and quotes a Sanskrit sloka where the word pithaavu is defined. I do not remember all, but a pithaavu is one who bestows 'arivu'(Wisdom) give shelter/protection, (abhayam) sutains (paalikkuka) etc (5 traits of pithaavu)


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The serial she refers to is Guruvayoorappan in Surya TV channel. It is the boy Guruvyaoorappan who speaks of Kurroramma and later defend the usage with reference to a woman as right to a Brahmin pundit who chided the boy for the usage. Jt