గంగాధరుడు చచ్చినాడు అమ్మా!
gangadharudu chachchinadu amma!
O Madam! Gangâdhara is dead. The story is as follows :—The washerwoman of a certain Queen had a female donkey which was pregnant. The woman vowed to Siva that if the donkey was safely delivered she would call the young one Gangâdhara ( one of the names of Siva, signifying " the receiver of the Ganges" ). The birth took place and the vow was fulfilled, but after a short time the young donkey died. The washerwoman was in great grief, neglected to bring the Queen's clothes, and weeping cried out " Gangâdhara is dead!" The servant sent from the palace, thinking that Gangâdhara must be some impor- tant person, went crying to the Queen. The Queen believing that a relation of the king had died commenced to weep, her whole household joining in her lamentations—the king on enquiring the cause of his consort's grief received the same information that Gangâdhara was dead, whereupon, imagining that he was a relation of the Queen's, he joined in the general howling, in which he was assisted by all his court! When the truth was at last known, all were ashamed.
This is a humorous expression from a famous Telugu folk story (Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha). It is used to describe a situation where someone reveals a 'secret' or a piece of news that everyone already knows, or when someone states the obvious with unnecessary dramatic flair. In the story, the disciples try to hide a death that is already apparent to everyone.
Related Phrases
లింగధారులతో సంబంధం గంగలో దూకినట్లే
lingadharulato sambandham gangalo dukinatle
An association with Lingadharulu is like jumping into the Ganges.
This expression is used to describe a situation where getting involved with certain types of people or commitments leads to irreversible consequences or self-destruction. Historically, it refers to the strict and uncompromising nature of the Lingayats (Lingadharulu), implying that once you are associated with them, there is no turning back, much like the finality of jumping into a deep river like the Ganges.
చచ్చినవాడు ఏడ్చినా రాడు
chachchinavadu edchina radu
Even if you cry, the dead man will not return.
This expression is used to convey that once a loss has occurred or a situation is past, no amount of grieving or complaining will change the outcome. It emphasizes accepting reality and the futility of mourning over things that are beyond recovery or repair.
వచ్చిన పేరు చచ్చినా పోదు
vachchina peru chachchina podu
The reputation gained will not leave even after death
This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.
ఎద్దు చచ్చినా వాత బాగా పడింది
eddu chachchina vata baga padindi
The ox died, but the branding mark was well-placed.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a lot of effort or a specific procedure was carried out perfectly, yet the ultimate goal or subject was lost. It highlights a bittersweet or ironic scenario where the operation was a success, but the patient died. It is often used to mock someone who focuses on technical perfection while failing to achieve the actual purpose.
మొగుడు చచ్చిన వెనక ముండకు బుద్ధి వచ్చినది.
mogudu chachchina venaka mundaku buddhi vachchinadi.
After her husband's death, the jade came to her senses.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone realizes their mistake or understands the importance of something only after it is permanently lost or when it is too late to rectify the damage. It highlights the futility of late realization.
ఏమీ ఎరుగనివాడు ఏకాదశి నాడు చస్తే, అన్నీ తెలిసినవాడు అమావాస్య నాడు చచ్చాడట
emi eruganivadu ekadashi nadu chaste, anni telisinavadu amavasya nadu chachchadata
While the ignorant person died on Ekadashi, the all-knowing person died on Amavasya.
This proverb is used to highlight irony or the unpredictability of fate. In Hindu tradition, dying on Ekadashi is considered auspicious, while Amavasya is often viewed as inauspicious. It mocks situations where someone perceived as simple or foolish achieves a better result or status by chance than someone who is highly knowledgeable but remains unlucky.
ఆలు చచ్చినవాడికి ఆలు బంగారం
alu chachchinavadiki alu bangaram
To a man whose wife has died, she is like gold.
This proverb is used to describe how people tend to appreciate the value of someone or something only after they are lost. It highlights the human tendency to ignore virtues during a person's lifetime but praise them excessively once they are gone.
చచ్చినదాని పిల్లలు వచ్చినదాని కాళ్ళకింద
chachchinadani pillalu vachchinadani kallakinda
The children of the deceased woman are under the feet of the newcomer.
This proverb describes the plight of motherless children who are often neglected or mistreated by a stepmother or a new person entering the household. It is used to highlight situations where vulnerable individuals lose their protection and are left at the mercy of someone who may not care for their well-being.
అన్నీ ఎరిగినోడు అమావాస్యనాడు చస్తే, ఏమీ ఎరగనోడు ఏకాదశినాడు చచ్చాడట.
anni eriginodu amavasyanadu chaste, emi eraganodu ekadashinadu chachchadata.
If a man who knows everything died on a New Moon day, a man who knows nothing died on Ekadashi.
This proverb is used to mock people who make ironic or illogical comparisons between themselves and others. It specifically satirizes situations where a foolish or ignorant person happens to achieve something (like dying on an auspicious day like Ekadashi) that a wise person did not, or when someone tries to claim superiority through pure coincidence despite their lack of merit.
వచ్చిన వాడు చచ్చినా పోదు.
vachchina vadu chachchina podu.
Calumny is not removed even by death.
This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.
Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.