నాడు గిట్టకపోడు, పుట్టిన పిల్లలు బువ్వకేడిస్తే, అవ్వ మొగుడికేడ్చిందట
nadu gittakapodu, puttina pillalu buvvakediste, avva mogudikedchindata
While the newborn children were crying for food, the grandmother was crying for a husband.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely selfish or insensitive to a major crisis. It highlights a person pursuing their own petty or inappropriate desires while those around them are suffering from basic, urgent needs.
Related Phrases
మన్ను ఎరువైతే పుట్టకొద్దీ పంట
mannu eruvaite puttakoddi panta
If soil becomes fertilizer, the harvest will be in heap-loads.
This proverb emphasizes that when the fundamental resources or conditions (like soil quality) are excellent, the resulting output or success will be immense.
కూనలు కూటి కేడిస్తే, అవ్వ అంకు మొగుడి కేడ్చిందట
kunalu kuti kediste, avva anku mogudi kedchindata
While the children were crying for food, the grandmother was crying for a paramour.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone ignores the basic or urgent needs of those dependent on them to pursue their own inappropriate or selfish desires. It highlights a complete lack of priorities and responsibility.
కేశవా నారాయణా అవ్వా బువ్వ పెట్టు
keshava narayana avva buvva pettu
O Kesava! O Nârâyaṇa!—O grandmother! give me food. A boy began his Sandhyâ but soon broke off to ask for his food.
This expression is used to describe someone who is being hypocritical or manipulative. It depicts a person who recites the names of God (Keshava, Narayana) to appear pious or selfless, but immediately shifts to a selfish, basic demand for food (buvva). It is often used to mock people who pretend to be spiritual or elevated while their true intentions are entirely materialistic or self-centered.
మూతి ముద్దులకేడిస్తే, వీపు గుద్దులకేడ్చిందట
muti muddulakediste, vipu guddulakedchindata
When the mouth cried for kisses, the back cried for punches.
This proverb describes a situation where someone's attempt to gain affection or a favor results in an unexpected punishment or a harsh consequence. It is often used to mock someone who expected a reward but received a reprimand instead, or when a situation backfires completely.
పిల్లకేడిస్తే, కాటివాడు కాసుకేడ్డాడట.
pillakediste, kativadu kasukeddadata.
While one mourns for the child, the gravedigger mourns for the coin.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person is in deep grief or facing a serious problem, while another person is only interested in their personal gain or profit from that situation. It highlights extreme selfishness and lack of empathy.
సన్న బువ్వ చిన్న చేపలు, కొత్త బువ్వ కోడి చారు.
sanna buvva chinna chepalu, kotta buvva kodi charu.
Fine rice with small fish, and new harvest rice with chicken curry.
This is a popular saying in Telugu culture that highlights the ultimate culinary delights and comfort foods of rural life. It suggests that the best food combinations one can enjoy are fine-grained rice paired with small fish fry/curry, or freshly harvested rice served with a rich chicken gravy. It is often used to describe a satisfying, hearty, and traditional meal.
గారాము గజ్జెల కేడిస్తే, వీపు దెబ్బల కేడ్చిందిట
garamu gajjela kediste, vipu debbala kedchindita
While the pampered child cried for anklets, the back cried for blows.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's excessive demands or spoiled behavior leads to unexpected negative consequences or punishment. It highlights the transition from being over-indulged to being disciplined when one's demands become unreasonable.
కొండంత మొగుడు పోగా పిడికెడు బొచ్చుకేడ్చిందట
kondanta mogudu poga pidikedu bochchukedchindata
When a husband as big as a mountain passed away, she cried for a handful of hair.
This proverb is used to describe a person who ignores a massive loss and instead focuses on or complains about a trivial, insignificant matter. It highlights a lack of perspective or misplaced priorities during a crisis.
పుట్టిన పిల్లలు బువ్వకు ఏడిస్తే, అవ్వ మొగుడికి ఏడ్చిందట.
puttina pillalu buvvaku ediste, avva mogudiki edchindata.
When the children cried for food, the grandmother cried for a husband. Wishing for something quite unsuitable to one's age.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being incredibly selfish or insensitive, focusing on their own inappropriate or secondary desires while others around them are suffering from a basic, urgent crisis.
* Chi l'ha per natura, fin alla fossa dura.
గారాబం గంజికేడిస్తే, ముసలివాడు ముండకేడ్డాడట
garabam ganjikediste, musalivadu mundakeddadata
While the pampered child cried for gruel, the old man cried for a widow.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a serious crisis or a basic need (represented by the child's hunger), but someone else is focused on inappropriate, selfish, or absurd desires that are completely out of place given the circumstances.