నుదుటి రాత

nuduti rata

Translation

Writing on the forehead

Meaning

This expression refers to 'destiny' or 'fate'. In Telugu culture, it is believed that Brahma writes a person's destiny on their forehead at birth, and it cannot be changed regardless of effort.

Related Phrases

The new is a wonder, the old detestable.

Generally, people are attracted by the new (especially, fashions in dress and the like) and tend to dislike the old. It is similar to the saying in English: “familiarity breeds contempt.”

Even if the mother-in-law agrees, the pot does not agree.

This proverb is used when a situation is practically impossible even if the person in authority gives permission. It highlights a scenario where a task cannot be completed due to physical constraints or external circumstances, despite having the necessary approval.

You are playing hide and seek with water while there are treasures in the house.

This proverb is used to describe a person who ignores valuable resources or opportunities available right at home (or within themselves) and instead wastes time or effort searching for trivial things elsewhere. It highlights the irony of neglecting great wealth or talent while being occupied with insignificant pursuits.

If the whole village is one way, the stick is another way.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is eccentric or stubborn, always choosing to go against the consensus or common path. It highlights non-conformity, often in a negative or frustrating sense, where one person acts contrary to everyone else in a group.

If you say it's a bit of a boat, they say the whole edge is a boat.

This proverb describes a situation where someone takes a small suggestion or a minor concession and exaggerates it to an extreme degree. It refers to people who do not know where to draw the line or those who take undue advantage of a small opening.

Pit alphabets (Basic lessons in the sand)

This expression refers to the very basics or fundamentals of any subject. Historically, it refers to the traditional method where children practiced writing their first alphabets (O-Na-Ma-Lu) in a bed of sand or a shallow pit. It is used to describe someone who is at the absolute beginning stage of learning something.

The old is a nuisance, the new is a wonder.

This proverb describes the human tendency to quickly get bored with old, familiar things and become easily fascinated by anything new. It is often used to comment on people who abandon traditions or long-term possessions in favor of the latest trends, or when someone loses interest in something they once valued.

When asked to leave a little space, asking for the whole plate.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue advantage of a small favor or permission granted to them. It is similar to the English expression 'Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.' It highlights the behavior of greedy or opportunistic people who overstep boundaries once they are given a slight opening.

The cotton cleaner's tugging and the shepherd's thumping

This proverb is used to describe a situation where people are engaged in tedious, endless, and noisy disputes or trivial struggles that lead to no productive outcome. It refers to the characteristic repetitive sounds and actions of traditional cotton carding (Pinjari) and sheep herding/weaving (Kuruva), signifying a chaotic or noisy commotion over petty matters.

Out of rhythm

This expression literally means to lose the beat or rhythm in music or dance. Idiomatically, it describes a situation where a process, life, or a system has lost its regular order, consistency, or harmony.