మద్దెల తాళగతుల దెలియకనే మర్దించుట సుఖమా?
maddela talagatula deliyakane mardinchuta sukhama?
Is there any pleasure in beating a drum without knowing the rhythm and tempo?
This expression is used to highlight that performing an action or engaging in a craft without proper knowledge or mastery leads to no satisfaction or productive result. Just as hitting a drum (maddela) randomly without understanding the beats (tala) produces noise rather than music, doing any task without expertise is futile.
Related Phrases
దూడ అంత దుఃఖము, పాడి అంత సుఖము లేదు.
duda anta duhkhamu, padi anta sukhamu ledu.
There is no sorrow like losing a calf, and no happiness like the yield of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the highs and lows of a livelihood or profession. Just as a farmer feels deep grief when a calf dies (a loss of future potential) but feels immense satisfaction when the cow gives milk (immediate reward), it signifies that every gain comes with its own set of risks and emotional burdens.
అర్థరాత్రి వేళ మద్దెల దరువు
artharatri vela maddela daruvu
The beating of the drum at midnight
This expression is used to describe an action that is untimely, inappropriate, or creates a nuisance. Just as playing a loud drum in the middle of the night disturbs others and is out of place, it refers to doing something at the wrong time or in the wrong context.
ఆడలేక మద్దెల ఓడు అన్నట్లు
adaleka maddela odu annatlu
Like a dancer who says the drum is bad because she cannot dance.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks skill or makes a mistake, but blames their tools, environment, or others instead of admitting their own incompetence. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'
రోలుకు ఒకవైపు, మద్దెలకి ఇరువైపులా దెబ్బలు.
roluku okavaipu, maddelaki iruvaipula debbalu.
The mortar gets hit on one side, but the drum gets hit on both sides.
This proverb describes a situation where one person suffers more trouble or pressure than another. It is used to express that while everyone faces difficulties, some people are caught in the middle and endure hardship from all directions simultaneously.
గద్దించే అత్త, మర్దించే మామ
gaddinche atta, mardinche mama
A scolding mother-in-law and a physically punishing father-in-law.
This expression describes a harsh or oppressive domestic environment, particularly referring to a household where elders are overly strict, demanding, and cruel toward a daughter-in-law. It is used to illustrate a situation of constant harassment and lack of peace at home.
ఆడలేక మద్దెల ఓడన్నట్లు
adaleka maddela odannatlu
Like a woman who cannot dance saying the drum is crooked.
This proverb is used to describe a person who blames their tools, environment, or other people for their own lack of skill or failure. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'A bad workman always blames his tools.'
అంగట్లో ఆటసాగితే, మద్దెలకానికి బయట పెట్టిందట
angatlo atasagite, maddelakaniki bayata pettindata
When her dance went well in the market, she credited it to the drum player being outside.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone fails to give credit where it is due, or perversely blames their success on an irrelevant external factor. It can also imply a person who tries to hide their lack of skill by making excuses or blaming their equipment/accompaniment even when things go right.
కుచమర్దనం వల్ల రంభకైనా సుఖం లేదు.
kuchamardanam valla rambhakaina sukham ledu.
Even the celestial nymph Rambha finds no pleasure in the mere squeezing of breasts.
This expression is used to signify that doing things roughly, superficially, or focusing only on physical force without emotional depth or proper context leads to no real satisfaction or result. It emphasizes that quality, subtlety, and genuine engagement are more important than mere physical effort or mechanical action.
నిధి సుఖమా, రాముని సన్నిధి సుఖమా?
nidhi sukhama, ramuni sannidhi sukhama?
Is material wealth happiness, or is being in the presence of Rama happiness?
This expression is used to question the true source of contentment, contrasting temporary material riches with spiritual peace or divine proximity. It originated from a famous kirtana by the saint-composer Tyagaraja, who refused royal gifts in favor of his devotion.
అర్ధరాత్రివేళ మద్దెల దరువులు
ardharatrivela maddela daruvulu
Drum beats at midnight
This expression is used to describe actions that are done at an inappropriate or highly inconvenient time. Just as playing drums in the middle of the night disturbs others and lacks timing, it refers to performing tasks or making demands when they are least expected or required.