కొండ మంగలి క్షవరం

This proverb describes a hypocritical or selfish attitude towards money and resources. It refers to a person who is very stingy and careful when spending their own money (Monday), but becomes incredibly reckless and extravagant when spending money belonging to others or the public (Tuesday). It is used to criticize those who do not value others' wealth as much as their own.

This proverb is used to describe people who waste money extravagantly just to show off their status or wealth, often paying far more than what a service or item is actually worth. It highlights vanity and the lack of financial prudence in those trying to maintain a high social image.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cost or effort involved in a task far exceeds the value or worth of the subject itself. It highlights unnecessary extravagance or disproportionate spending on someone or something that doesn't deserve it or won't benefit from it meaningfully.

This expression refers to a job done very poorly, unevenly, or incompletely. It describes a situation where a task is performed haphazardly, leaving patches of unfinished work, much like an unskilled barber leaving patches of hair on a head.

The pilgrims who visit the sacred hill of Tirupati have to be shaved before entering the temple. The barbers in their greediness to secure customers are said to keep numbers round them half shaven, leaving off one to commence another. Dabbling in many things, but completing none.

This expression is used to describe a job that is done extremely poorly, clumsily, or incompletely. It refers to someone who lacks the necessary skill or patience, resulting in a 'patchy' or disastrous outcome, much like a barber who leaves tufts of hair everywhere.

This proverb refers to traditional preferences in village life: a barber's razor or tools are considered better when they are 'old' (well-seasoned/tested), whereas a washerman is judged by how 'new' (clean/fresh) the clothes look. It is used to describe how different professions or situations require different standards—some value experience and age, while others value freshness and appearance.

This proverb plays on the word 'Kshavaram' (shaving/haircut). While a barber performs a professional service, 'Tirukshavaram' is a slang term for being swindled or cheated out of everything. It is used to describe a situation where someone has been completely fooled or left with nothing by another person's cunning.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cost of a service or a solution far exceeds the value of the object or person being attended to. It highlights extravagance, poor financial planning, or a mismatch between the value of a thing and the expenses incurred upon it.

This proverb is used to mock people who waste money extravagantly on cheap or simple tasks just to show off their status or wealth. It refers to unnecessary vanity and the lack of financial sense in those who possess inherited fortune.

This proverb advises on how to choose service providers based on the nature of their work. A new washerman (Chakali) is preferred because he will be more diligent and wash clothes cleaner to prove his worth. Conversely, an old barber (Mangali) is preferred because his experienced hands are less likely to cause cuts and he understands the client's preferences better.