కులం కులం అని కూడు పోగొట్టుకుంటే, కులం పిలిచి కూడు పెట్టలేదట
kulam kulam ani kudu pogottukunte, kulam pilichi kudu pettaledata
If you lose your food/livelihood for the sake of caste, your caste will not come and feed you.
This proverb highlights the folly of prioritizing caste-based pride or prejudices over one's own survival and basic needs. It warns that while a person might sacrifice their livelihood (koodu) to uphold caste rigidity, the caste community as an entity will not provide for them when they are hungry. It is used to advise people to prioritize practical necessities and humanity over social divisions.
Related Phrases
ప్రియములేని కూడు పిండముతో సమానము
priyamuleni kudu pindamuto samanamu
Food served without affection is equal to funeral offerings.
This expression highlights that the hospitality and love with which food is served are more important than the food itself. Food served by someone who does not like you or without genuine warmth is compared to 'Pindam' (food offered to the deceased), implying it is soul-less or insulting to consume.
కులం కట్టు కలం పట్టు
kulam kattu kalam pattu
Bind the community, hold the pen
This expression emphasizes the importance of education and social unity within a community. It suggests that for a community to progress, people must remain united (community bond) and focus on education and literacy (holding the pen) as tools for empowerment.
కులము చెరిచే వారేగాని కూడు పెట్టేవారు లేరు
kulamu cheriche varegani kudu pettevaru leru
There are many to spoil one's caste (reputation), but none to offer a meal.
This proverb describes a situation where many people are ready to criticize, sabotage, or ruin someone's social standing or reputation, but no one is willing to step forward and provide actual help or sustenance when that person is in need. It is used to highlight the hypocrisy and lack of genuine support in society.
చవిలేని కూడు కుడిచినట్లు
chavileni kudu kudichinatlu
Like eating food that has no taste.
This expression is used to describe an experience or activity that is dull, uninteresting, or lacks any satisfaction. Just as eating tasteless food provides no pleasure despite fulfilling a necessity, it refers to performing a task or attending an event that is completely bland and monotonous.
తప్పు తిని కులం మరిచినట్టు
tappu tini kulam marichinattu
Eating to excess, he forgets his caste. Said of a man who, being sumptuously entertained, forgets his low origin.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone commits a mistake or falls into bad habits and consequently forgets their roots, values, or original identity. It specifically refers to how a single improper act or a lapse in judgment can lead to a complete loss of self-respect or social standing.
కులం తక్కువని కూడెట్టనన్నారట
kulam takkuvani kudettanannarata
They said they wouldn't serve food because the caste is lower.
This expression is used to highlight hypocrisy or situations where people use flimsy, discriminatory, or irrelevant excuses to avoid fulfilling a basic responsibility or showing hospitality. It points out how social prejudices are often weaponized to deny others their basic needs.
కుక్కలకు కులం పంచాయతా?
kukkalaku kulam panchayata?
Do dogs have caste arbitrations?
This expression is used to mock people who argue over trivial matters or status when their actual behavior or situation doesn't warrant such importance. It suggests that certain disputes or social distinctions are unnecessary and ridiculous in specific contexts, much like dogs fighting over hierarchy is pointless to human eyes.
కూడు కలుగగానే కులం మరచిపోతారు
kudu kalugagane kulam marachipotaru
As soon as food is secured, the clan is forgotten.
This proverb describes people who forget their roots, identity, or those who helped them once they achieve financial stability or prosperity. It is used to criticize ungratefulness and the tendency to distance oneself from one's origins after attaining wealth.
చెట్టు క్రింద కులం, కూటి దగ్గర బలం
chettu krinda kulam, kuti daggara balam
Caste under a tree, strength at a meal.
This expression highlights that social hierarchies (caste) are often discussed or debated in public gathering spaces (like under a village tree), but when it comes to eating together or facing a shared necessity, people's true strength and unity are revealed. It is often used to suggest that practical needs and shared resources often override social divisions.
కులం గుణంలేని రంభకన్నా, కులం వున్న కోతిమేలు.
kulam gunamleni rambhakanna, kulam vunna kotimelu.
A monkey with lineage and character is better than Rambha (a celestial beauty) without lineage or character.
This proverb emphasizes that character, values, and respectable background are more important than mere physical beauty or superficial attractiveness. It suggests that someone who may look plain but possesses good virtues is far superior to a beautiful person who lacks integrity or good qualities.