ముండల ముఠాకోరు
mundala muthakoru
A gang leader of widows/wretched women
A derogatory or slang expression used to describe a person (usually a man) who constantly hangs around or leads a group of disreputable or quarrelsome women. It is often used to criticize someone for engaging in petty gossip or unnecessary group politics rather than focusing on meaningful work.
Related Phrases
ముడివేశాక ముండయినా ముతకయినా తప్పదు
mudiveshaka mundayina mutakayina tappadu
Once the knot is tied, whether it is a widow or a coarse person, one must bear it.
This proverb signifies that once a commitment or marriage is finalized, one must accept the consequences and the person involved, regardless of their flaws or the difficulties that arise. It is used to describe situations where a decision is irreversible and one must fulfill their responsibility despite dissatisfaction.
పెరటి చెట్టు మందుకు రాదు
perati chettu manduku radu
The tree in the backyard is not used for medicine.
This proverb suggests that people often undervalue things or people that are close to them or easily available, while overestimating the value of things that are far away or hard to get. It is similar to the English expression 'Familiarity breeds contempt' or 'A prophet is not honored in his own country.'
ముండమోపి కేలా ముత్యాల పాట?
mundamopi kela mutyala pata?
Why does a widow need a song of pearls?
This is a traditional proverb used to describe someone who attempts to seek luxuries, adornments, or pleasures that are considered inappropriate or unnecessary given their current somber situation or social standing. It highlights a sense of irony or mismatch between a person's circumstances and their desires.
బావమరిది బతకకోరును, దాయాది చావకోరును
bavamaridi batakakorunu, dayadi chavakorunu
Your wife's brother will wish you to live, your paternal relatives will wish you to die. When a Hindu dies his widow is supported by her relatives, and his portion of the family property goes to his relations on the father's side.
This proverb highlights the traditional family dynamics and social relationships in Telugu culture. A brother-in-law (sister's husband or wife's brother) is seen as a well-wisher because your prosperity benefits his family, whereas a 'Dayadi' (paternal relative or rival claimant to an inheritance) is often viewed as a competitor who might benefit from your downfall or demise due to property disputes.
ముందరి కాళ్లకు బందాలు వేసి ముండల తాళ్లు తెంపేవాడు
mundari kallaku bandalu vesi mundala tallu tempevadu
A man who ties the fore legs together and breaks the widows' cords. Said of a crafty swindler, who having made his victim as helpless as an animal whose fore feet have been tied together proceeds to plunder. Widows wear no cords ; the expression signifies a state of helplessness.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely clever, mischievous, or deceitful in a destructive way. It refers to someone who can simultaneously perform a restrictive action (like hobbling an animal) and a socially disruptive or cruel action (like breaking a widow's traditional bond). In modern usage, it often characterizes a person who is capable of doing anything, often implying they are a cunning troublemaker or a 'smart aleck' who creates chaos.
లేదంటే పోతుందా పేదల మునక?
ledante potunda pedala munaka?
Will a poor person's bath be skipped just because they can't afford it?
This expression is used to emphasize that essential tasks or natural cycles do not stop just because one lacks resources or faces difficulties. It implies that life goes on and necessary actions must be performed regardless of one's financial or social status.
ఈగ వ్రణం కోరు, నక్క పీనుగ కోరు
iga vranam koru, nakka pinuga koru
A fly seeks a wound, a fox seeks a corpse.
This proverb describes people with pessimistic or malicious mindsets who specifically look for flaws, failures, or the misfortunes of others to benefit themselves or satisfy their nature. Just as a fly ignores a healthy body to find a sore, and a fox looks for a carcass, some people only take interest in negativity.
ఏరు ముందా ఏరువాక ముందా
eru munda eruvaka munda
Is the river first or the plowing festival first?
This is a rhetorical expression or a riddle-like saying often used to discuss the cyclical nature of things or to question priorities. 'Eruvaka' refers to the traditional festival marking the beginning of the plowing season. It highlights the deep connection between the arrival of rains (rivers) and the start of agricultural activity.
విడిచిన ముండలకు విడవలూరు.
vidichina mundalaku vidavaluru.
For the women who have left, Vidavalur is the place.
This proverb refers to finding a place or a group that welcomes those who have been cast out or have abandoned their previous lives. Historically, Vidavalur (a village in Nellore) was metaphorically cited as a refuge for destitute or runaway women. In a broader sense, it suggests that there is always a specific gathering spot or a common destination for people of a similar unfortunate or unconventional status.
వైద్యుడు రోగాలు కోరును, వైశ్యుడు కరువు కోరును
vaidyudu rogalu korunu, vaishyudu karuvu korunu
The doctor wishes for diseases, while the merchant wishes for a famine.
This proverb describes how certain professions benefit from the misfortunes of others. A doctor's income depends on people being sick, and a merchant (Vaishya) profits from scarcity or high prices during a famine. It is used to point out that one person's crisis can be another's opportunity.