నవాయతీ పొట్టా తమలపాకుల కట్టా తడుపుతూ వుండవలెను.
navayati potta tamalapakula katta taduputu vundavalenu.
You must keep a Nawâyati lad and a bundle of betel leaves wet. Nawâyati is a sect of Muhammadans ( See the " Qanoon-e-Ilam" page 12 et seq. )—Water is thrown on betel leaves by the bazar-men to keep them fresh and to prevent their being blown away.
This proverb suggests that certain things require constant attention or 'lubrication' to function or stay fresh. Just as betel leaves dry up and spoil without water, a 'Navayatee' (referring historically to a specific community or high-maintenance guest) requires constant hospitality, feeding, or bribery to stay satisfied. It is used to describe high-maintenance people or situations that demand continuous upkeep.
Related Phrases
కటకటా అనే ఇంటా కట్టబట్టా తినతిండీ ఉండవు.
katakata ane inta kattabatta tinatindi undavu.
In a house where people constantly cry 'Alas!', there will be no clothes to wear or food to eat.
This proverb highlights the negative impact of pessimism and constant complaining. It suggests that a household filled with sorrow, lamentation, or a lack of positivity fails to prosper, leading to poverty and a lack of basic necessities like food and clothing.
కంసాలి వద్ద ఉండవలె, కుంపట్లో ఉండవలె.
kamsali vadda undavale, kumpatlo undavale.
It must be with the goldsmith, or in the chafing-dish. Said of gold made away with by a swindling goldsmith.
This proverb is used to describe things or situations that have no middle ground or compromise. It refers to gold, which must either be in the hands of the goldsmith to be shaped or in the furnace (brazier) to be purified. It implies that a person or a task should either be completely involved in the process or undergoing transformation, leaving no room for being idle or halfway done.
ఉండి ఉండి ఉప్పరవానిని కట్టుకొంటే, తట్ట తట్టకు తలపోతలే.
undi undi upparavanini kattukonte, tatta tattaku talapotale.
After waiting and waiting, if one marries a digger (laborer), there will be head-washings (ceremonial or literal) for every basket carried.
This proverb describes a situation where someone waits a long time to make a choice, only to end up with a difficult or laborious situation. It specifically refers to the disappointment when a long-awaited decision results in unexpected hardships or constant, repetitive struggles.
మాలిస్తు చేసినట్టే ఉండవలె, కాపు చెడ్డట్టే ఉండవలె
malistu chesinatte undavale, kapu cheddatte undavale
One must be threshing, and the master must be cheated. Said by a dishonest servant.
This expression describes a deceptive or hypocritical way of working where one pretends to put in effort (maintenance) while secretly ensuring the outcome is poor or the resources are drained. It is used to mock people who act like they are helping or working hard, but their actions actually lead to failure or loss for the owner/employer.
తమలపాకు కట్ట, పొగాకు మట్టు, హరిదాసు గొంతు ఎప్పుడూ తడుపుతూ ఉండాలి.
tamalapaku katta, pogaku mattu, haridasu gontu eppudu taduputu undali.
A bundle of betel leaves, tobacco leaves, and a Haridasu's throat should always be kept moist.
This proverb highlights the specific care required for certain things to maintain their quality or function. Betel leaves and tobacco dry out and spoil if not kept damp, similarly, a Haridasu (a traditional storyteller/singer) must keep his throat hydrated to continue his performance effectively. It is used to imply that certain tasks or items require constant attention and maintenance to remain useful.
పోరాని చుట్టము వచ్చినాడు, తమలపాకులు బొడ్డు వంచి కోయుమన్నట్టు
porani chuttamu vachchinadu, tamalapakulu boddu vanchi koyumannattu
" A near relation has come," said he "stoop and pluck the betel leaves." The owner of the garden unwillingly complied with his relation's de- mand to be supplied with betel leaf gratis, and instructed his gardener with the ambiguous phrase "stoop and pluck," which the relation understood to mean that the order was to be obeyed with alacrity, the object really being that the worst leaves, which are always nearest the ground, should be given. The word translated "near" signifies literally "one who goes not." Applied to that which is done because politeness requires it, but un- willingly.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being inhospitable or stingy toward an unwelcome guest. Breaking the stem (boddu) of a betel leaf ruins the plant's future growth; it implies that the host is so annoyed or reluctant to serve the guest that they are willing to provide something in a destructive or rude manner just to get rid of them or show their displeasure.
అబద్ధమాడినా గోడ పెట్టినట్టు ఉండవలెను
abaddhamadina goda pettinattu undavalenu
If you do tell a lie, let it be like a wall.
This proverb suggests that if one must lie, the lie should be consistent, firm, and believable, much like a solid wall. It is used to point out that a person's deception should at least be logically sound or well-constructed to be effective, or to criticize someone whose lies are easily seen through due to inconsistency.
కాకి కూడుతిన్నా కడుపు నిండవలెను.
kaki kudutinna kadupu nindavalenu.
Even if one eats crow's food, the stomach must be filled.
This proverb emphasizes that the end result or the outcome is more important than the means or the status of how something was achieved. It is used to suggest that as long as a person's basic needs are met or a goal is accomplished, the specific methods or the humble nature of the source do not matter.
వగచినట్టూ ఉండవలె, వాత పెట్టినట్టూ ఉండవలె.
vagachinattu undavale, vata pettinattu undavale.
Pretend to condole when you cauterize.
This proverb describes a situation where someone pretends to be sympathetic or helpful while actually causing harm or dealing a severe blow. It is used to describe a calculated action that appears kind on the surface but is intended to teach a painful lesson or inflict damage, or to describe someone who acts with duplicity.
అవ్వా కావాలి, బువ్వా కావాలి
avva kavali, buvva kavali
I want grand-mother and I want food. Said by a child who did not wish to leave its grand-mother, but who had to do so to get its dinner. You cannot drink and whistle at the same time. (Danish.)
This proverb describes a situation where someone wants to have their cake and eat it too. It is used when a person tries to hold onto two mutually exclusive options or wants all the benefits of a situation without making any sacrifices or choices.
* Man kan ikke drikke og pibe paa eengang.