మంగలి పాత, చాకలి కొత్త

This proverb is used to comment on a household or situation where social order, lineage, or professional consistency is completely disregarded or chaotic. It suggests that when the foundations or the elders are already unconventional or mixed up, there is no point in worrying about the specific details or identity of the younger generation. It is often used to describe a group of people with no common background or a disorganized situation where everything is already mismatched.

This expression refers to activities that are done routinely or mechanically without much thought or specialized effort because they are part of one's inherent nature or daily trade. It is used to describe tasks that are performed as a matter of course or things that are inevitable and expected based on a person's role.

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 describes a situation where an idle person engages in useless, absurd, or counterproductive activities just to keep themselves busy. It is used to mock someone who performs unnecessary tasks out of boredom or lack of real work.

A man pretending to be fully employed.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an individual is surrounded by people who are constantly gossiping or leaking secrets. In traditional village settings, the washerman (Chakali) and the barber (Mangali) visited every household and were known to be the primary sources of local news and gossip. Having them as close relatives implies that one's private matters will never remain secret and will be broadcast to the entire community.

This proverb highlights that partnering with people who are constantly wandering from house to house or who do not have a stake in agricultural production leads to a lack of savings or harvest. It is used to suggest that one should choose business partners whose interests and professional habits align with the goal of the venture, otherwise, the resources will be squandered or mismanaged.

This proverb describes a situation where the rewards or profits are taken by the main actors or high-status people, while the hard work, blame, or insults are faced by the support staff or laborers. It highlights social or professional inequality where credit and cash go to one party, but the headache and criticism go to another.

This expression is used to describe a job that is done extremely poorly, inconsistently, or left half-finished. Just as a barber on a mountain might do a rough and uneven job due to lack of proper tools or skill, it refers to any work that is messy and unprofessional.

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.