మాచెర్ల దొరలకు మీసాలు లేవు, పల్నాటి దొరలకు వాసాలు లేవు.
macherla doralaku misalu levu, palnati doralaku vasalu levu.
The lords of Macherla have no mustaches, and the lords of Palnadu have no rafters.
This is a satirical historical proverb reflecting on a period of extreme poverty or decline. Mustaches are traditionally symbols of pride and masculinity (lords), while rafters (vasalu) are essential for building a house. It implies that the rulers lost their dignity and the common people lost their shelter, used to describe situations where everyone, regardless of status, is lacking basic necessities or pride.
Related Phrases
జెముడుకు కాయలూ లేవు, నిలువ నీడా లేదు.
jemuduku kayalu levu, niluva nida ledu.
The cactus has no fruit and provides no shade to stand under.
This expression is used to describe a person who is completely useless or of no benefit to others. Just as the cactus plant neither offers food (fruit) nor relief from the sun (shade), some people possess neither resources to share nor a helpful nature.
చిన్ననాడూ లేవు, పెద్దనాడూ లేవు, చంద్రశేఖరుడినాడు చెవుల పోగులా.
chinnanadu levu, peddanadu levu, chandrashekharudinadu chevula pogula.
I had them not in childhood, nor in age, am I now to have earrings in Chandraśekhara's time ? Said by a father to whom earrings were offered when, in his old age, a son had been born to him.
This proverb describes a situation where someone suddenly acquires or flaunts something new late in life that they never had before, often appearing out of place or pretentious. It is used to mock people who experience sudden prosperity or change their habits inconsistently with their past life, or to describe an unexpected event happening at an unusual time.
దొంగల సొమ్ము దొరల పాలు
dongala sommu dorala palu
Thieves' wealth ends up in the hands of rulers.
This proverb implies that wealth acquired through illegal or unethical means will never be enjoyed by the person who took it; instead, it will eventually be confiscated by authorities, lost to others, or spent on fines and legal issues. It is used to suggest that ill-gotten gains do not stay with the wrongdoer.
నొసట కళ్ళు లేవు, నోట్లో పళ్ళు లేవు
nosata kallu levu, notlo pallu levu
No eyes on the forehead, no teeth in the mouth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in a state of physical decline. It can also sarcastically refer to someone who is acting helpless or lacks basic common sense and capability.
పండ్లు ఉన్నవాడికి పప్పులు లేవు, పప్పులు ఉన్నవాడికి పండ్లు లేవు
pandlu unnavadiki pappulu levu, pappulu unnavadiki pandlu levu
The one who has teeth doesn't have nuts, and the one who has nuts doesn't have teeth.
This proverb describes the irony of life where opportunities or resources often come to those who cannot utilize them, while those who have the capability or desire lack the necessary means. It is used to express that life is rarely fair or perfectly balanced.
ఈదబోతే తాగ నీళ్లు లేవు
idabote taga nillu levu
When he went to swim, there was not enough water to drink. Disappointed hopes.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone aims for something grand or ambitious but lacks even the most basic necessities. It highlights a stark irony or extreme poverty/scarcity.
* A fonte puro pura default aqua.
అత్త చేసిన పనులకు ఆరళ్ళు లేవు
atta chesina panulaku arallu levu
There is no one to blame the mother-in-law.
This proverb is used to highlight double standards or hypocrisy in power dynamics. It suggests that when a person in authority (like a mother-in-law) makes a mistake, it is ignored or excused, but when a subordinate (like a daughter-in-law) does the same, it is heavily criticized.
సుతులు లేని వారికి గతులు లేవు.
sutulu leni variki gatulu levu.
Those who do not have sons have no salvation.
Historically, this proverb reflects an old belief that a son is necessary to perform final rites for parents to attain 'Moksha' (salvation). In a modern context, it is often used to discuss traditional family values or the cultural importance placed on continuing the lineage.
మాచర్ల రాజులకు మీసాలు లేవంటే పల్నాటి రాజుల మిద్దెలకు వాసాలు లేవన్నాడట.
macharla rajulaku misalu levante palnati rajula middelaku vasalu levannadata.
When someone said the kings of Macherla do not have moustaches, another replied that the palaces of Palnadu kings do not have rafters.
This proverb describes a situation where one person makes a negative or mocking comment about someone, and another person retaliates with an equally baseless or exaggerated insult. It is used to illustrate tit-for-tat arguments where logic is ignored in favor of mutual disparagement, or when someone tries to cover up one flaw by pointing out a non-existent or irrelevant flaw in another.
కథకు కాళ్లు లేవు, ముంతకు చెవులు లేవు
kathaku kallu levu, muntaku chevulu levu
No legs to the tale, no ears to the pot. Said of a story that one cannot make head or tail of. A story without a head. (Greek.)
This proverb is used to describe a story, explanation, or excuse that lacks logic, consistency, or a proper foundation. It refers to something that is nonsensical or a 'cock and bull story' where the details don't add up or have no basis in reality.