గాలి మేడలు కట్టడం

This proverb emphasizes the importance of progress and upward mobility. It suggests that rising from poverty to wealth is a desirable journey, whereas falling from a high status to a low one is a tragedy. It is used to highlight the value of growth and the hardship of downfall.

This expression is used when someone is restricted or strictly monitored because of their past misbehavior or tendency to escape responsibilities. Just as heavy blocks (gudikattalu) prevent cattle from running away or jumping fences, this refers to imposing necessary constraints on a person who cannot be trusted to act disciplined on their own.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is entrusted with something they cannot resist consuming or misusing. Just as a cat will immediately eat the prawns tied to its neck, a person placed in a position of temptation will inevitably succumb to it. It signifies a lack of trust or a foolish decision in delegating responsibility.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to fix or undo something that is already broken, finished, or irreversibly changed in a way that is unnatural or futile. It refers to the impossible task of making a cut leaf part of the living tree again.

This proverb is used to describe the difficulty of dealing with a quarrelsome or loud-mouthed person (specifically a 'gayyali'). It suggests that controlling the wind—an impossible task—is still easier than stopping such a person from arguing or being verbally abusive.

This expression is used to describe someone who has unrealistic plans or daydreams about things that are unlikely to happen. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'building castles in the air'.

This expression highlights that expertise in a simple or specific skill does not qualify someone to teach or handle complex, grand projects. It is used when someone with limited experience tries to give advice on matters far beyond their capability or scale of work.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely foolish or setting themselves up for a loss. Placing butter on the head (which melts in the sun) and using prawns (which are scavenged by crows and dogs) as a waistband implies that the person's assets or efforts will quickly vanish or be snatched away due to poor planning.

This expression describes a situation where something completely inappropriate, contradictory, or incompatible is forced upon a person or a situation. Since Rudraksha beads are symbols of Shaivism and are generally avoided by devout Vaishnavites, it represents a profound mismatch of traditions or values.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person, driven by ego, pride, or stubbornness, takes an action that only causes them self-harm or creates an unnecessary burden. It highlights the foolishness of letting one's emotions lead to a decision that is difficult to sustain or carries heavy consequences.