ముల్లాలు తిండికి లేక మొత్తుకొంటూ ఉంటే, పీర్లకు పంచదార.
mullalu tindiki leka mottukontu unte, pirlaku panchadara.
While their priests are starving, [the Mussalmans] give sugar [in honor of] their standards. Pirs or Alams are representations of the standards of Ali and Husain set up during the Muharram festival.
This proverb describes a situation where those who are doing the actual work or are in genuine need are neglected, while unnecessary resources are spent on rituals or symbolic objects. It is used to criticize irony in management or charity where the living/deserving are ignored in favor of the inanimate or superficial.
Caring for the dead and neglecting the living.
Related Phrases
మొగుడు చచ్చి మొత్తుకుంటుంటే, మిండమగడు వచ్చి రాళ్ళు రువ్వాడట.
mogudu chachchi mottukuntunte, mindamagadu vachchi rallu ruvvadata.
While she was mourning her husband's death, her lover came and threw stones at her.
This proverb describes a situation where a person is already dealing with a major tragedy or crisis, only to be further harassed or troubled by an insignificant or unwelcome person. It is used to highlight the height of misfortune or the insensitivity of others during a person's most vulnerable moments.
భాగ్యం ఉంటే బంగారాన్ని తింటారా?
bhagyam unte bangaranni tintara?
If you are rich, will you eat your gold ? A man, however rich, can only live by food, like other men.
This proverb is used to emphasize that basic necessities like food are the same for everyone, regardless of their wealth. It suggests that money cannot buy everything and that even the richest person must eat simple grains to survive, reminding people to remain humble and practical about the value of wealth.
గంజిలోకి ఉప్పు లేకుంటే, పాలలోకి పంచదారట
ganjiloki uppu lekunte, palaloki panchadarata
If there is no salt for the gruel, there is sugar for the milk, it seems.
This proverb describes a situation where basic necessities are lacking, yet there are demands or expectations for luxuries. It is used to mock people who cannot afford the bare minimum but aspire for high-end comforts, or to highlight extreme irony in one's financial or social state.
అత్త ఎత్తుకొని తింటూ ఉంటే, అల్లుడికి మనుగుడుపా?
atta ettukoni tintu unte, alludiki manugudupa?
If the mother-in-law live by begging will the son-in-law have a feast? Manugudupu is " a final entertainment given by the bride's parents to the bridegroom, after the conclusion of the whole marriage ceremonies." ( Brown. )
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the primary person or provider is struggling for basic necessities, yet someone dependent on them expects luxury or special treatment. It highlights the irony of demanding more than what is available or realistic given the circumstances.
జ్వర జిహ్వకు పంచదార చేదు
jvara jihvaku panchadara chedu
To a feverish tongue, even sugar tastes bitter.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's judgment or perception is clouded by their current negative state or circumstances. Just as a physical illness makes sweet things taste bitter, a person in a bad mood, bias, or difficult situation may find fault or negativity in things that are otherwise good, pleasant, or beneficial.
పాలల్లో పంచదార కలిసినట్టు
palallo panchadara kalisinattu
Like sugar dropped into milk.
This expression is used to describe a situation where two things or people blend together perfectly, harmoniously, or indistinguishably. It is often used to describe a great friendship, a perfect match, or a seamless integration of something.
పోచమ్మకు కందురు, పీర్లకు బోనాలు
pochammaku kanduru, pirlaku bonalu
Kanduru for Pochamma, and Bonam for Peeralu.
This expression describes a situation where things are done completely incorrectly or swapped inappropriately. In Telugu tradition, 'Bonam' is offered to the goddess Pochamma, and 'Kanduru' is offered during the Muharram (Peeralu) festival. The phrase highlights a state of confusion or mismanagement where offerings/actions are misdirected to the wrong recipients.
గడ్డపలుగులు గాలికి కొట్టుకొనిపోతుంటే, పుల్లాకు నా పని ఏమి అన్నదట
gaddapalugulu galiki kottukonipotunte, pullaku na pani emi annadata
When the crowbars were blown about by the wind, the leaf- platter said " What is to become of me ?" Pullâku is a cast away leaf-dish which has been once used. A mean person thinking of his own loss when his superiors are suffering.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most powerful entities are facing destruction or failure. In such a context, it is trivial or foolish for someone small or insignificant to worry about their own minor troubles. It highlights a scale of disaster where the small should realize their vulnerability is a given if the mighty are falling.
చిలుకకు చక్కెర చీమకు పంచదార
chilukaku chakkera chimaku panchadara
Sugar for the parrot, sugar for the ant
This expression describes a situation where a single act or resource benefits everyone involved, regardless of their status or size. It signifies impartiality, universal appeal, or a solution that satisfies diverse needs perfectly. In a broader sense, it refers to something being sweet or beneficial to all.
నోరు మాట్లాడుతూ ఉంటే, నుదురు ఎక్కిరిస్తూ ఉంటుంది
noru matladutu unte, nuduru ekkiristu untundi
Speaking with the mouth but mocking with the forehead. Insincerity.
This expression is used to describe a person whose facial expressions or non-verbal cues contradict their spoken words. It highlights hypocrisy or insincerity, suggesting that even though someone is saying something polite or agreeable, their true feelings of contempt or disagreement are visible on their face.