చుట్టూ చూరుమంగళం, నడమ జయమంగళం

This proverb is used to question the nature of a relationship. It asks whether a person is a genuine blood relative (pegu chuttam) who cares out of love, or a 'fair-weather friend' (pettu chuttam) who is only around for financial gain, gifts, or personal benefit. It is often used when someone shows sudden interest in a person's life only when they become wealthy or influential.

A table friend is changeable. (French.)‡ * Vache de loin a lait asses. † Geluk en glas brekt even ras. ‡ Ami de table est variable.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.

This expression refers to a job done very poorly, unevenly, or incompletely. It describes a situation where a task is performed haphazardly, leaving patches of unfinished work, much like an unskilled barber leaving patches of hair on a head.

The pilgrims who visit the sacred hill of Tirupati have to be shaved before entering the temple. The barbers in their greediness to secure customers are said to keep numbers round them half shaven, leaving off one to commence another. Dabbling in many things, but completing none.

This expression is used to describe a job that is done extremely poorly, clumsily, or incompletely. It refers to someone who lacks the necessary skill or patience, resulting in a 'patchy' or disastrous outcome, much like a barber who leaves tufts of hair everywhere.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an individual is surrounded by people who are constantly gossiping or leaking secrets. In traditional village settings, the washerman (Chakali) and the barber (Mangali) visited every household and were known to be the primary sources of local news and gossip. Having them as close relatives implies that one's private matters will never remain secret and will be broadcast to the entire community.

This proverb describes a situation involving a highly selfish or hypocritical person. It refers to someone who wants to borrow something from others (represented by 'ingalam' or fire/embers) even when they already possess it themselves, or someone who expects others to share their resources while keeping their own for themselves. It is used to mock people who pretend to be in need just to exploit others.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where everything surrounding a person is falling apart or in ruins, yet they remain oblivious or falsely celebratory about their own central position. It mockingly refers to someone celebrating a 'victory' while their entire support system or house is actually on fire.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's anger or a problem originating elsewhere is unfairly diverted toward an innocent person or an unrelated object. It signifies misplaced venting of frustration or a situation where the consequences of one event unexpectedly affect something completely different.

This expression refers to a person who starts many tasks simultaneously but finishes none of them efficiently, or someone who keeps people waiting by jumping from one job to another. It originates from the practice in Tirupati where barbers, dealing with huge crowds, would partially shave one person's head and move to the next to ensure no customer left their queue.

Has it all his own way. Pilgrims visiting the place have to get their heads shaved, and as one man has the entire monopoly he keeps them waiting for hours, taking payment in advance and shaving a little bit of one man's head and then a little bit of another, to prevent them from going away. Applied to a person selfishly taking work out of others' hands which he is unable to complete himself.

This expression describes someone who is extremely restless, impatient, or hyperactive. Just as grains pop and jump around uncontrollably when heated in a pan, it refers to a person who cannot sit still or is reacting excessively to a situation.