బిగిస్తే సరికాని, వస్తే వాడి అబ్బతరమా? పిలిస్తే పలుకుతుంది కరవు రాయలసీమలో, పిలవకుండానే పలుకుతుంది అనంతపురంలో.
bigiste sarikani, vaste vadi abbatarama? piliste palukutundi karavu rayalasimalo, pilavakundane palukutundi anantapuramlo.
Tightened it's nothing, but if it comes, can even his father stop it? Famine answers if called in Rayalaseema, but it answers without even calling in Anantapur.
This is a poignant regional proverb highlighting the extreme drought conditions of the Rayalaseema region, specifically Anantapur district. It suggests that while famine is a recurring threat in the larger region, it is so persistent in Anantapur that it doesn't even need an invitation to manifest. It is used to describe chronic poverty, lack of rainfall, and the inevitable nature of hardship in arid lands.
Related Phrases
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi
If left alone it ripens, if plucked out it withers.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of patience and letting things take their natural course. Just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen and will wither if picked too early, certain situations or relationships require time and space to mature. It is used to advise against being impulsive or forceful.
అంధేఖాను దర్భారులో అందే పోతగాళ్ళు, పిలిస్తే పలుకనివాళ్ళు
andhekhanu darbharulo ande potagallu, piliste palukanivallu
In the court of Andhekhan, everyone is a braggart and no one responds when called.
This proverb describes a state of total chaos, lawlessness, or lack of accountability in an organization or government. It is used to refer to a situation where there is no proper leadership, and those in charge are incompetent, arrogant, or completely unresponsive to the needs of the people.
ప్రాయము వస్తే పందిపిల్ల కూడా బాగుంటుంది
prayamu vaste pandipilla kuda baguntundi
When it reaches the right age, even a piglet looks beautiful.
This proverb is used to describe how youth and the bloom of adolescence can make anyone look attractive, regardless of their natural features. It highlights that the peak of youth brings a natural glow and charm that is universal.
ఎముక లేని నాలుక ఏమైనా పలుకుతుంది
emuka leni naluka emaina palukutundi
A tongueless bone can say anything.
This expression is used to describe people who make irresponsible statements, false promises, or inconsistent claims because the tongue is flexible and has no bone to restrain it. It highlights that talk is cheap and people can easily lie or change their words without consequence.
ఇగురం ఇల్లలికితే, నెత్తి పొయ్యలుకుతుంది.
iguram illalikite, netti poyyalukutundi.
If a clever person smears the house floor, the head gets smeared instead.
This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be overly smart or skilled but fails miserably at simple, practical tasks. It highlights the gap between one's perceived intelligence and their actual common sense or manual competence.
ఉండనిస్తే పండుతుంది, ఊడదీస్తే ఎండుతుంది.
undaniste pandutundi, udadiste endutundi.
If you leave it alone, it will bear fruit; if you pull it up, it will wither away.
This proverb highlights the importance of patience and allowing things to take their natural course. It is often used to advise someone not to rush a process or interfere prematurely, as doing so might spoil the end result, just as a fruit needs time on the tree to ripen but will dry up if picked too early.
తీగ కదిలిస్తే పొదంతా కదులుతుంది
tiga kadiliste podanta kadulutundi
If you pull a vine, the whole bush shakes
This expression refers to situations where a small action or a single point of inquiry reveals a much larger, interconnected network or complex problem. It is often used in contexts like investigations where pulling on one lead exposes everyone involved in a conspiracy or a large group of people.
పిలిస్తే బిగిస్తే సరిగాని, వస్తే వాడి అబ్బ తరమా!
piliste bigiste sarigani, vaste vadi abba tarama!
If I invite him and he is too proud to come, it will be all right; but if he does come, how shall I manage it? Said by a poor man who was obliged to show hospitality which he could ill afford.
This expression is used to describe a person who is hesitant or reluctant to start something (often due to pride or shyness), but once they begin or arrive at a place (especially for a meal or a favor), they indulge uncontrollably and are impossible to stop. It highlights the irony of someone being difficult to invite but impossible to manage once they accept.
ఏ వాడ చిలుక ఆ వాడ పలుకు పలుకుతుంది
e vada chiluka a vada paluku palukutundi
The parrot of a street speaks the language of that street.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks a firm stance or individual principles, instead adapting their speech and behavior to please the people they are currently with. It can also refer to how someone's environment or upbringing heavily influences their dialect and opinions.
నరాలు లేని నాలుక నానావిధాల పలుకుతుంది.
naralu leni naluka nanavidhala palukutundi.
A tongue without bones (nerves) speaks in many ways.
This proverb is used to describe how people can easily change their words, lie, or speak inconsistently because the tongue is flexible and lacks structural restraint. It is often a criticism of someone who makes false promises or shifts their stance conveniently.