అయ్య నీటు అడిగితీరదు, అమ్మ దమ్మయపాలెంలో దంచుకొని తాగుతున్నది
ayya nitu adigitiradu, amma dammayapalemlo danchukoni tagutunnadi
The foppish husband gives himself great airs, while his wife is living by pounding rice in Dammayapâlem.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person maintains an air of false prestige or luxury (the father), while their family members are struggling with hard labor just to survive (the mother). It highlights hypocrisy, misplaced priorities, or vanity in the face of poverty.
Related Phrases
ఊరు పొమ్మంటున్నది, కాడు రమ్మంటున్నది.
uru pommantunnadi, kadu rammantunnadi.
The village tells you to leave, the graveyard tells you to come.
This proverb is used to describe someone who is very old and near the end of their life. It signifies that their time in the world of the living (the village) is over, and they are ready for the afterlife or burial ground (the graveyard).
ఉప్పు లేదు, కారం లేదు, అమ్మతోడు కమ్మగుంది.
uppu ledu, karam ledu, ammatodu kammagundi.
No salt, no spice, but by mother, it tastes delicious.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being overly polite or flattering even when something is clearly lacking or of poor quality. It highlights a sarcastic or ironic praise for something that is bland or mediocre, often used to mock someone who is trying to please others despite the obvious flaws in the situation.
అయ్యనీటు అడుగతీరదు, అమ్మ పోయి దమ్మాయపాళెంలో దంచుకొని తాగుతోంది.
ayyanitu adugatiradu, amma poyi dammayapalemlo danchukoni tagutondi.
The father's sophistication is beyond measure, while the mother is out in Dammayapalem, pounding grain to earn a drink.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be very rich, sophisticated, or high-status (the 'Ayaa') while their family members or the reality of their situation is one of extreme poverty or manual labor (the 'Amma'). It highlights the gap between false prestige and harsh reality.
స్వర్గంలో శనికి భయపడి అరణ్యంలో దాక్కున్నట్టు
svargamlo shaniki bhayapadi aranyamlo dakkunnattu
Like hiding in a forest out of fear of Saturn in heaven.
This proverb describes a situation where a person tries to escape a problem or bad luck, only to find themselves in an even more difficult or harsh environment. It is used when someone's attempts to avoid misfortune lead them to a worse predicament, highlighting that one cannot outrun destiny or that the remedy chosen is worse than the original situation.
అయ్య దాసరులకు పెడితే, అమ్మ జంగాలకు పెట్టినట్లు
ayya dasarulaku pedite, amma jangalaku pettinatlu
When the master fed the Dâsaris (devotees of Vishṇu), the mistress fed the Jangams (devotees of Śiva). Applied to a spirit of contradiction.
This proverb describes a situation where both partners in a couple or group are equally charitable, or more commonly, equally wasteful and extravagant in spending resources on outsiders. It is used to highlight a lack of financial coordination or a mutual tendency to give away assets, often leading to the depletion of the household's wealth.
వియ్యపురాలి పేరు విసరమ్మ, నా పేరు దంచమ్మ
viyyapurali peru visaramma, na peru danchamma
The relative's name is Visaramma (Grinding woman), and my name is Danchamma (Pounding woman).
This proverb describes a situation where two people are equally matched in their traits or circumstances, often in a humorous or negative sense. It is used when two people who are related or associated share the same faults, hardships, or demanding natures, implying that one is no better than the other.
అమ్మవారి మొక్కు తీరదు, ఆడబిడ్డ అప్పు తీరదు.
ammavari mokku tiradu, adabidda appu tiradu.
The vow to the Goddess is never fully finished; the debt to a sister is never fully repaid.
This proverb highlights the endless nature of certain obligations. Just as one continues to make offerings to the Goddess throughout life, one's responsibilities and gifts toward a sister (or daughter) in a traditional family setup are perpetual and can never be considered 'settled' or 'paid off' completely.
అమ్మ తానూ పెట్టదు, అడుక్కు తిననివ్వదు
amma tanu pettadu, adukku tinanivvadu
The mother neither gives food herself [to her child,] nor allows it to beg.
This proverb describes a dog-in-the-manger situation or a person who acts as a hindrance. It is used to describe someone who refuses to help you themselves, but also prevents you from seeking help or finding alternatives elsewhere, effectively leaving you helpless.
అడిగితేనే కానీ అమ్మయినా పెట్టదన్నట్లు
adigitene kani ammayina pettadannatlu
Even a mother won't feed her child unless asked.
This proverb is used to emphasize that one must express their needs or ask for help to receive it, as others might not intuitively know what is required. It suggests that even the most caring person (like a mother) requires a prompt or request before taking action.
వండే అమ్మ కన్నా, వడ్డించే అమ్మ మేలు
vande amma kanna, vaddinche amma melu
The woman who serves food is better than the woman who cooks it.
This proverb highlights that execution, presentation, or final delivery is often more recognized or appreciated than the hard work behind the scenes. In a practical sense, it means that even if someone does all the labor (cooking), the person who manages the final distribution or interaction (serving) often gets the credit or gratitude. It is used to describe situations where the person at the final stage of a process holds more influence.