మొదలే కుంటికాలు, దానికి తోడు పక్షవాతం

This expression is used to describe a person who is already mischievous or foolish by nature, but then encounters a situation or consumes something that makes their behavior even more erratic or uncontrollable. It signifies a bad situation becoming significantly worse due to unnecessary additions.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an existing problem is worsened by a new, more severe calamity. It is similar to the English expression 'adding insult to injury' or 'it never rains but it pours,' highlighting how misfortunes sometimes compound upon one another.

This proverb signifies the essential starting points or milestones. Just as a spindle of thread is the fundamental starting point for weaving a saree, the Upanayanam (sacred thread ceremony) is considered the beginning of formal education and disciplined life for a young boy in traditional Indian culture.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic sense, culture, or awareness of traditions. Akshatalu (sacred rice) are meant to be showered on the head for blessings, not eaten. It highlights how a foolish or ill-mannered person ruins a solemn or sacred gesture by acting out of ignorance or greed.

This expression describes a situation or a person that appears very grand, substantial, or productive at first glance, but results in mostly waste or useless fluff upon closer inspection or processing. It is used to critique things that have more show than substance.

This proverb is used to describe a state of utter neglect, lack of maintenance, or mismanagement of a property or household. It highlights a situation where, due to the absence or carelessness of the inhabitants, the premises have been completely overrun by pests.

This proverb highlights the boundlessness of human experience. It suggests that there is no limit to how much wealth one can accumulate (or how much greed one can have), while poverty is a deep abyss where it is often impossible to pinpoint where the struggle truly started or where it might finally resolve. It is used to describe the infinite nature of prosperity and the cycle of deprivation.

This expression is used to describe someone or something that is completely useless or fails to serve any intended purpose. Just as a woman who doesn't care for the home isn't a true housewife, and a broken or ill-fitting pot cannot be part of a stack (donthi), a person who lacks utility in their designated role is described this way.

This expression highlights that even the most selfless entities like a mother or Mother Earth can show partiality or favoritism. It is used to describe situations where one feels unfairly treated by someone who is expected to be neutral or unconditionally loving, suggesting that bias exists everywhere.

This expression is used to describe someone who is a constant support system or a right-hand person. It refers to providing both physical assistance (hand) and moral or verbal support (voice) in someone's daily life or during difficult times.