గ్రామశాంతికి బోడితల.
gramashantiki boditala.
[Shaving] a bald head, to [propitiate] the village goddess. No other will submit to the ignominy.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is unfairly singled out as a scapegoat to resolve a larger problem or to satisfy a ritualistic requirement. It refers to a person being sacrificed or humiliated (symbolized by shaving the head) for the supposed well-being of the community, often highlighting the absurdity of the solution or the innocence of the victim.
Related Phrases
సిగ్గు విడిస్తే రాయలకూడు, తిరుపతికి పోతే బోడితల.
siggu vidiste rayalakudu, tirupatiki pote boditala.
If you cast off shame, you get a royal meal; if you go to Tirupati, you get a bald head.
This proverb suggests that in certain situations, one must set aside their ego or bashfulness to obtain what they need (like free food). It also implies that some outcomes are inevitable consequences of specific actions, much like how one is expected to shave their head when visiting the holy site of Tirupati.
సిగ్గు విడిస్తే శ్రీరంగము, అంతకూ విడిస్తే బోడితల.
siggu vidiste shrirangamu, antaku vidiste boditala.
If one sheds shame, they reach Srirangam; if they shed everything, they end up with a bald head.
This proverb describes the stages of detachment or shamelessness. In a spiritual context, it suggests that giving up worldly ego (shame) leads to a sacred state (Srirangam). In a worldly context, it is often used sarcastically to mean that once a person loses their sense of shame or social inhibitions, they can go to any extent, eventually losing their dignity entirely (symbolized by the shaved head of an ascetic or a social outcast).
రాని పాట పాడ వేడుక, బోడి తల అంట వేడుక
rani pata pada veduka, bodi tala anta veduka
It is fun to sing a song one doesn't know, and fun to style a bald head.
This proverb describes a situation where someone enthusiastically attempts tasks they have no aptitude for or tries to manage resources that are non-existent. It is used to mock people who waste effort on futile, clumsy, or unnecessary actions just for the sake of appearances or out of ignorance.
బోడి తలలకు ముడి వేసేవాడు
bodi talalaku mudi vesevadu
One who ties a knot between bald heads
This expression refers to a person who is exceptionally clever, cunning, or a master manipulator. It describes someone who can perform the impossible or create a connection/conflict between people where no basis (like hair for a knot) exists. It is often used to describe a person who can fix things through sheer wit or, conversely, someone who creates mischief between parties.
కంటికి కలక వంటికి పోటు
kantiki kalaka vantiki potu
Infection to the eye, pain to the body
This expression is used to describe a situation that is extremely annoying, constant, and difficult to ignore. Just as an eye infection causes persistent discomfort and a body ache makes one restless, this phrase refers to a person or a problem that causes continuous irritation or trouble.
బోడితలకు బొండు మల్లెలు ముడిచినట్లు
boditalaku bondu mallelu mudichinatlu
Like tying jasmine flowers to a bald head.
This expression is used to describe something that is completely out of place, mismatched, or useless. Just as flowers cannot be pinned or tied to a head without hair, it refers to situations where an ornament, a gift, or an effort is wasted because the recipient or the context is unsuitable.
భోజనం చేసిన వానికి అన్నం పెట్టే వేడుక, బోడి తలవానికి తలంట పోసే వేడుక
bhojanam chesina vaniki annam pette veduka, bodi talavaniki talanta pose veduka
Serving a meal to one who has already eaten is like giving a head bath to a bald person.
This proverb describes redundant or futile actions. It highlights the absurdity of offering something to a person who neither needs it nor can benefit from it, emphasizing that such efforts are a complete waste of time and resources.
బోడితలకు, బొటనవేలికి ముడి పెట్టినట్లు
boditalaku, botanaveliki mudi pettinatlu
Like trying to tie a knot between a bald head and a big toe.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link two completely unrelated things or people. It highlights an illogical connection, a far-fetched argument, or a forced relationship that makes no sense.
బోడితలకు మోకాటికీ ముడి పెట్టినట్టు
boditalaku mokatiki mudi pettinattu
Like tying a bald head and the knee in a knot.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to link or compare two completely unrelated or illogical things. It highlights a lack of common sense or the absurdity of making a connection where none exists.
వూళ్ళో అందరూ బోడి అంటే, నీ అమ్మ బోడి, నీ అక్క బోడి అందట.
vullo andaru bodi ante, ni amma bodi, ni akka bodi andata.
When someone said the whole village is bald, she replied 'Your mother is bald, your sister is bald'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or the ability to understand general context. Instead of understanding that a statement refers to a collective group (including themselves), they take it as a personal insult and react defensively by insulting the speaker back.