ఇగురుపండ్లవాడు ఇంటికిచేటు, పంగలబట్టి పందిరికిచేటు

igurupandlavadu intikichetu, pangalabatti pandirikichetu

Translation

The one with protruding gums is a curse to the house, and a forked stick is a curse to the pandal.

Meaning

This is a traditional proverb used to describe individuals or objects that are inherently unsuitable or bring bad luck/ruin to their surroundings. It suggests that just as a weak forked stick cannot properly support a shed (pandal) and leads to its collapse, a person with specific negative traits (metaphorically described here as protruding gums) is seen as a harbinger of misfortune for the family.

Related Phrases

While lying down on a canopy bed, he supposedly asked the canopy pillar to do his work.

This proverb is used to describe an extremely lazy person who wants others to do their work even while they are comfortably resting. It highlights a sense of entitlement and lack of effort, where one expects service or results without moving a muscle.

The Mudaliar's vanity is a waste of castor oil.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts on a grand, vain display or acts with excessive pride, but the result is merely a waste of resources or effort. Historically, it refers to using large amounts of castor oil to light lamps for a pompous show that ultimately serves no productive purpose.

A live-in son-in-law is a threat to the house; a horned buffalo is a threat to the shed.

This proverb highlights how certain inclusions can be disruptive to an established system. It suggests that a son-in-law living permanently with his in-laws (Illarikam) can lead to domestic conflicts and power struggles within the family, much like a horned buffalo might accidentally or intentionally damage the cattle shed or hurt other animals.

While the one with dirty teeth brought it, the one with golden teeth ate it.

This proverb describes a situation where one person does all the hard work or struggles to earn something, but a more privileged or lucky person enjoys the benefits or rewards. It highlights the irony of labor versus enjoyment.

Sleeping during the day harms work; staying awake late at night harms health.

This Telugu proverb highlights the importance of maintaining a proper routine. It suggests that sleeping during daylight hours leads to a loss of productivity and unfinished tasks, while staying awake late into the night (depriving oneself of sleep) negatively impacts physical and mental health.

A daughter is a harm to the house, a thatched eave is a harm to a terraced building.

This is a traditional proverb reflecting old societal anxieties. It suggests that just as a dry thatched roof poses a fire hazard to a solid building, a daughter's presence was historically viewed as a liability due to the heavy financial burdens (like dowry) and social responsibilities associated with her marriage and well-being. It is used to describe things that are perceived as inherent risks or burdens to an establishment.

Daytime talk is a loss to work, nighttime talk is a loss to sleep.

This proverb emphasizes time management and the importance of focusing on the task at hand. It suggests that gossiping or idle chatter during the day hinders productivity, while excessive talking at night deprives one of necessary rest. It is used to advise someone to stop talking and focus on their responsibilities or sleep.

A wife who controls her husband is bad for him; a woman with dragging feet is bad for the home.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb describing certain traits as ill-omens or destructive. It suggests that a wife who tries to dominate or manipulate her husband brings him ruin, while a person who drags their feet while walking (metaphorically signifying laziness or bad vibrations) brings misfortune to the entire household. It is used to remark on behaviors that are believed to cause the downfall of a family.

Curry without taste is a waste to the plate; a wife without beauty or charm is a waste to the bed.

This is a traditional proverb used to express that things lacking their essential quality or purpose are a burden or a waste. Just as tasteless food makes the act of eating from a plate useless, a marriage lacking attraction or compatibility is seen as dysfunctional in this archaic context. It is often used to emphasize that functionality and quality are vital for value.

Tall is vulnerable to wind, short is vulnerable to water

This proverb highlights that every physical trait has its own disadvantage depending on the situation. Just as a tall tree or person is more likely to be affected by strong winds (or storms), a short person or object is more likely to be submerged or affected by rising waters (or floods). It is used to suggest that no one is perfectly safe or superior in all circumstances.