అట్లు వండినమ్మకు ఆరుళ్లు అరమరలు ఉండకూడదు.

atlu vandinammaku arullu aramaralu undakudadu.

Translation

A woman who cooks pancakes should not have any secrets or hesitation.

Meaning

This proverb is used to emphasize that when someone is doing a job that involves sharing or serving others, they should be transparent, generous, and free of bias. Just as someone making 'atlu' (dosas) must serve them openly and fairly to everyone waiting, any leader or provider should act without hidden motives or discrimination.

Related Phrases

People turn as the festival turns.

This expression is used to describe the fickle nature of crowds or public opinion. Just as people move and change direction according to the flow of a festival (Jatara), people's allegiances or behaviors often change based on the current trend, situation, or prevailing crowd sentiment.

A woman who eats mustard seeds has desire; a woman who eats horse gram has a startle.

This proverb describes how different habits, foods, or actions produce specific physiological or psychological reactions. It is often used metaphorically to suggest that a person's behavior or guilt is a direct result of their secret actions—specifically, if someone has done something wrong (eaten horse gram which causes gas/discomfort), they will be jumpy or 'startled' when the topic comes up.

For the mother who begs her food, there are sixty-six curries; for the mother who cooks her own, there is only one curry.

This proverb highlights how some people find it easier to depend on others' resources rather than their own hard work. It illustrates that a beggar receives variety by collecting bits from many houses, while someone who works hard and cooks for themselves might have a simpler but more dignified and certain meal. It is often used to comment on the irony of someone who doesn't work appearing to have more options or variety than a hard worker.

While the poor woman was gasping for her last breath, the rich woman was being pampered with a water bath.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme injustice or misplaced priorities. It refers to a scenario where someone in desperate, life-threatening need is ignored, while someone who already has everything is given unnecessary extra attention or luxury. It is used to criticize society's tendency to favor the wealthy and ignore the suffering of the needy.

For the one who arrived, a warm welcome; for the one who didn't, many complaints.

This proverb describes a common human tendency where a person who is present is treated with respect or given tasks, while those who are absent or failed to show up are criticized or spoken of with long, complaining tones (ragalu). It is used to highlight how people often grumble about those who aren't there to defend themselves or how presence dictates treatment.

An attu-and-a-half for the mother who served an attu.

This proverb highlights the principle of reciprocity and generosity. It implies that those who give or help others will receive back even more than what they offered (interest/bonus). It is used to suggest that kindness is rewarded with greater kindness.

At sixty years, one becomes muddled or confused.

This proverb is used to describe the onset of senility or the mental decline that often comes with old age. It suggests that when a person reaches sixty, they may become forgetful, lose their sharpness, or behave erratically, similar to the concept of 'dotage'.

Like sixty-six tricks played against a mother-in-law who is making pancakes.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to outsmart or deceive a person who is already very experienced, clever, or cunning in their own right. It signifies meeting an expert with even more complex maneuvers or excessive strategies.

Even if you pray to a doll/statue, there must be faith.

This expression emphasizes that the power of prayer or any action lies in the sincerity and faith of the person performing it, rather than the object of worship itself. It is used to suggest that without true belief, rituals or actions are meaningless.

A woman who cannot work has many antics; a woman who cannot cook has many grievances.

This proverb describes people who make excuses or create drama to avoid their responsibilities. It is used to mock those who lack skill or willingness to work but pretend to be busy or complain about external factors to hide their incompetence.