నాగరికం లేని మాట, నాలుకపై తీట

This expression describes something that is incomplete or lacks the essential elements that give it character or dignity. Just as a festive house is incomplete without a 'thoranam' (decorative leaf garland) and a musical band feels lackluster without the 'veeranam' (a type of powerful drum), a situation or object is seen as dull or ineffective when its primary decorative or functional feature is missing.

This proverb highlights the loss of self-respect and the social stigma traditionally associated with 'Illarikam' (the practice of a son-in-law living in his wife's parents' house). It suggests that even performing menial labor is more dignified than living on the mercy of in-laws, where one might be treated like a servant or face constant ridicule.

This is a traditional proverb used to suggest that a promise or statement made by a woman is unstable, unreliable, or impossible to hold onto, much like trying to tie water into a bundle. It is typically used to express skepticism regarding commitments or to highlight perceived inconsistency.

This proverb describes the ultimate scale of things. Just as the sky represents the absolute height, a city or a ruling administration (Nagari) often displays the peak of power or dominance. It is used to remark on the vastness of nature or the overwhelming bureaucracy and power dynamics of urban/political systems.

This proverb emphasizes that every effect must have a cause. Just as a traditional sweet is incomplete without its stuffing and a wedding feels incomplete without music, every event or action in life is inevitably linked to a prior reason or motive. It is used to suggest that nothing happens by pure chance without an underlying reason.

This proverb is used to describe a transaction or a deal where one party receives credit, fame, or verbal praise while the other party receives the material profit or payment. It highlights a situation where one person gets the glory and the other gets the money.

This expression is used to describe something that lacks sense, logic, or harmony. Just as a song without a proper scale (shruti) is unpleasant to hear, words spoken without thought or intelligence are useless and irritating. It is often used to dismiss nonsensical arguments or irrelevant chatter.

This proverb is used to describe people who are inconsistent or unreliable in their speech. Since the tongue is flexible (boneless), it can easily twist the truth, make false promises, or change versions of a story to suit the situation. It serves as a warning not to trust everything someone says blindly.

This expression suggests that a woman's primary power or weapon lies in her speech and verbal skills rather than physical force. It is often used to describe situations where someone uses words effectively to manage a situation or defend themselves.

This proverb is used to describe speech that lacks intelligence or logic. Just as a song without proper scale or rhythm (shruti) is unpleasant to hear, talk that lacks sense or wisdom is useless and annoying to the listener.