దోమలు తగ్గితే చేమలు ఊరును

domalu taggite chemalu urunu

Translation

If the mosquitoes decrease, the taro tubers will swell.

Meaning

This is a traditional agricultural observation suggesting that when the mosquito population declines (usually due to a change in weather or season), it coincides with the optimal growth and thickening of taro roots (Chama dumpalu). It is used to describe how certain environmental changes signal the right time for growth or harvest.

Related Phrases

If ants climb the trees, the lands will yield crops.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb based on rural observations of nature. It signifies that when ants start climbing trees or high ground, it is a sign of impending heavy rains. Since good rains lead to a prosperous harvest, the saying equates this behavior of ants to a bountiful agricultural season.

Ants come of themselves to the place where there is sugar- cane. Where the carcase is, the ravens will gather.

This proverb implies that where there is a source of wealth, benefit, or sweetness, people will naturally gravitate toward it without being invited. It is used to describe situations where people gather around someone who has resources or influence, often out of self-interest.

If the dancer puts on horizontal marks, the singer puts on vertical marks.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people are competing in their eccentricities, mistakes, or exaggerations. It implies that if one person goes to one extreme, the other goes even further to outdo them, usually in a negative or ridiculous way.

Will the nose that can't stand a cough bear a sneeze ?

This proverb is used to describe an extremely fragile situation or a person who couldn't handle a small problem and is now facing an even bigger one. It suggests that if something couldn't survive a minor pressure (a cough), it certainly won't survive a greater force (a sneeze).

When an elephant feeds on the sugar-cane, can any number of mosquitos drive him away ?

This proverb highlights that minor disturbances or insignificant people cannot stop a powerful person or a grand task from progressing. It is used to describe situations where someone of great strength or status remains unbothered by petty criticisms or trivial obstacles.

If goats escape, they go to the acacia thorns; if outcasts escape, they go to the wild date palms.

This proverb describes people returning to their habitual environments or choosing paths that align with their nature or circumstances. It is used to suggest that individuals will naturally gravitate toward familiar settings or specific struggles even when they try to break away.

Like an ant that has found a bundle of food.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely busy, preoccupied, or hyper-focused on a task, similar to how an ant becomes intensely active and focused once it discovers a food source (bundle/mulle) to carry back to its nest.

A cow stays quiet if its own calf butts its udder to drink milk, but will it stay quiet if another calf tries to drink?

This proverb highlights the natural human tendency toward nepotism or favoritism. It means that people are willing to tolerate mistakes, burdens, or losses caused by their own children or relatives, but will not show the same patience or forgiveness toward strangers for the same actions.

If an elephant grazes on a tree, can ten thousand mosquitoes join together to drive it away?

This proverb highlights the difference in power and stature. It means that when a person of great strength, influence, or authority decides to do something, a large group of weak or insignificant people cannot stop them. It is often used to describe situations where minor opposition is futile against a powerful force.

If the mango ripens, the pearl millets will yield.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb used to indicate the correlation between seasons and crop yields. It suggests that a summer with high heat (which ripens mangoes) is usually followed by favorable conditions for harvesting pearl millet (Sajja). It is used to express how nature's cycles are interconnected.