కండ్లేరు కారితే కరువు, పారితే పండుగ.
kandleru karite karuvu, parite panduga.
If the Kandleru flows like a trickle, it's a famine; if it flows fully, it's a festival.
This is a traditional agricultural saying from the Palnadu region of Andhra Pradesh regarding the Kandleru stream. It signifies that the prosperity of the farmers depends entirely on the water levels of the river. A small stream (trickle) indicates drought and crop failure, while a full flow ensures a bountiful harvest and celebration.
Related Phrases
కుమ్మరికి కుండ కరువు, సాలెకు బట్ట కరువు
kummariki kunda karuvu, saleku batta karuvu
The potter lacks a pot, and the weaver lacks a cloth.
This proverb describes a paradoxical situation where a professional or skilled worker lacks the very thing they produce for others. It is used to highlight irony, such as a doctor who is always sick or a financial advisor who is broke.
దండుగలో పండుగ
dandugalo panduga
A festival in the middle of a loss
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone finds a small reason to celebrate or gains a minor benefit amidst a significant loss or a wasteful expenditure. It refers to making the best of a bad situation or finding a silver lining in a calamity.
జారితే పడమన్నారు కానీ, జరిగితే పడమన్నారా?
jarite padamannaru kani, jarigite padamannara?
They said to fall if you slip, but did they say to fall if you move?
This expression is used to mock someone who makes excuses for their failures or mistakes. It highlights the difference between an accidental mishap (slipping) and a deliberate or avoidable action (moving/shifting), suggesting that while some mistakes are inevitable, one shouldn't intentionally fail or blame circumstances for their own lack of effort.
నెమలి కంట నీరు కారితే వేటగానికి ముద్దా?
nemali kanta niru karite vetaganiki mudda?
If the peacock shed tears, will the hunter's heart be moved ?
This expression means that a person with malicious intent or a cold heart will not be moved by the suffering or tears of their victim. It is used to describe situations where someone remains indifferent to another's pain because their goal is to exploit or harm them.
పండగ తొల్నాడు గుడ్డల కరువు, పండగనాడు అన్నము కరువు, పండగ మర్నాడు మజ్జిగ కరువు.
pandaga tolnadu guddala karuvu, pandaganadu annamu karuvu, pandaga marnadu majjiga karuvu.
The day before the festival, there is a scarcity of cloth ; on the festival day, a scarcity of food ; and on the day after the festival, a scarcity of buttermilk.
This proverb highlights the irony of poor planning or extreme poverty where resources are missing exactly when they are needed most. It describes a situation where one is busy washing clothes the day before (lacking something to wear), busy cooking on the festival day (delayed eating), and exhausted of all resources/dairy by the following day.
చెట్టుకు కరువు, కోమటికి బరువు లేవు.
chettuku karuvu, komatiki baruvu levu.
A tree knows no drought, and a merchant knows no burden.
This proverb highlights the inherent resilience or nature of certain entities. A tree provides shade and fruit regardless of external conditions, and a savvy merchant (traditionally referred to as Komati) always finds a way to manage their trade or load without feeling the 'weight' or loss. It is used to describe situations where people are naturally equipped to handle specific hardships or roles.
వాన ఎక్కువైతే రొంపి కరువు, వాన తక్కువైతే వరపు కరువు.
vana ekkuvaite rompi karuvu, vana takkuvaite varapu karuvu.
If the rain is excessive, there's a scarcity due to mud; if the rain is insufficient, there's a scarcity due to drought.
This proverb highlights the delicate balance required in nature for agriculture and life. It explains that extreme conditions in either direction—too much rain (leading to waterlogging and rot) or too little rain (leading to drying up)—result in the same outcome: a lack of food and resources. It is used to describe situations where both extremes are equally detrimental.
నెమలి కంట నీరు కారితే వేటగాడికి ముద్దా?
nemali kanta niru karite vetagadiki mudda?
If a peacock sheds tears, does a hunter feel affection?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a cruel or predatory person remains indifferent to the suffering of their victim. It highlights that someone who intends to harm you for their own benefit will not be moved by your tears or pain. It is often applied when someone shows fake sympathy while continuing to exploit or hurt another.
ఉన్ననాడు ఉగాదిపండుగ, లేనినాడు కాముని పండుగ.
unnanadu ugadipanduga, leninadu kamuni panduga.
When you have resources, it is Ugadi (New Year); when you don't, it is Kamuni Panduga (Holi).
This proverb describes the volatility of human life or financial status. 'Ugadi' represents prosperity, feasting, and joy, while 'Kamuni Panduga' (traditionally associated with burning/ash) represents a state of lack or simplicity. It is used to describe people who live lavishly when they have money and live very simply or suffer when they do not, or to emphasize that one's circumstances dictate their lifestyle.
పండుగ పైన దండుగ
panduga paina danduga
An extra expense on top of a festival expense
This expression is used to describe a situation where an unexpected or unnecessary additional expense occurs at a time when one is already spending heavily, typically during a celebration or crisis. It signifies the burden of 'wasteful' costs added to already high costs.