కుడుములు వండని ఆడుదీ, కూనిరాగం తీయని మగవాడూ ఉండరు.

kudumulu vandani adudi, kuniragam tiyani magavadu undaru.

Translation

There is no woman who hasn't cooked steamed dumplings, and no man who hasn't hummed a tune.

Meaning

This proverb highlights universal human behaviors or tendencies. It suggests that certain actions are so common and natural to specific roles or genders that it is nearly impossible to find someone who hasn't done them. It is often used to point out that everyone has certain basic habits or shared experiences.

Related Phrases

The one who does not remove the weeds will not reap the harvest.

This proverb emphasizes that success requires hard work and maintenance. Just as a farmer cannot expect a good yield if they don't remove weeds from the field, a person cannot achieve goals without addressing obstacles or putting in the necessary effort throughout the process. It is used to highlight the importance of diligence and the law of consequences.

A field without weeding is like a temple without a deity.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of maintenance and care. Just as a temple is purposeless and empty without a god, a crop field is useless if it is not weeded. It is used to highlight that without proper effort, supervision, or the core essential element, any endeavor or establishment becomes worthless.

There is no woman who cannot cook kuḍumus, nor man who cannot hum a tune.

This proverb highlights certain basic or inherent traits attributed to genders in traditional society. It implies that everyone possesses some fundamental skills or natural inclinations—suggesting that cooking simple staples is a basic skill for women and humming or showing interest in music/art is a basic trait in men. It is often used to describe common human nature or universal behaviors.

Kuḍumu is a common kind of cake. Applied to things which are very common.

Like hiding a steamed dumpling and asking mother to cook more steamed dumplings.

This proverb describes a situation where someone pretends to be innocent or needy while already possessing or hiding the very thing they are asking for. It is used to mock hypocritical behavior or someone who is being cunning by feigning ignorance to gain more.

Undigested food and a word that cannot be fulfilled.

This expression highlights two things that cause significant discomfort: undigested food causes physical pain, while a promise or word that cannot be fulfilled (an impossible commitment) causes mental stress and reputational damage. It is used to caution people against making promises they cannot keep or taking on more than they can handle.

There is no woman who cannot cook rice and no man who cannot weave a cot.

This traditional proverb highlights the basic, essential life skills that were historically expected of every individual based on their role in the household. It suggests that certain fundamental tasks are so universal that one cannot claim ignorance of them; it is often used to emphasize that everyone should at least know the basics of their responsibilities.

A man who cannot weave a cot, and a woman who cannot churn buttermilk

This expression is used to describe individuals who lack the basic, essential skills expected of them in a traditional household. It highlights incompetence in fundamental duties: a man failing at manual labor/repairs and a woman failing at core domestic tasks.

Uncooked food, clothes for serving.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy or parasitic. It refers to someone who wants to eat without the effort of cooking and expects to be dressed up just to be served, essentially wanting all the benefits of life without doing any of the work.

A woman who roams and a man who does not roam are both ruined.

This traditional proverb suggests that a woman's reputation or household suffers if she wanders aimlessly outside, while a man fails in life if he stays idle at home without going out to seek opportunities, work, or social connections. It emphasizes gender-specific social roles common in historical contexts.

A man who cannot weave a cot - a woman who cannot churn buttermilk

This proverb highlights the lack of basic essential skills expected of individuals in traditional roles. It describes a situation where people are incompetent in their fundamental duties, leading to an unproductive or dysfunctional household.