నేటి కవులు సిరాలో ఎక్కువ నీళ్ళు కలిపి వ్రాస్తున్నారు.

neti kavulu siralo ekkuva nillu kalipi vrastunnaru.

Translation

Today's poets are mixing more water into their ink while writing.

Meaning

This expression is a critique of modern literature or poetry, implying that contemporary works lack depth, intensity, or substance. Just as watered-down ink produces faint and weak writing, this suggests that the quality of creative output has become diluted or superficial compared to the robust works of the past.

Related Phrases

Low intelligence, high hunger

This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or intelligence but has a very large appetite or demands a lot of resources. It describes a person who doesn't contribute much intellectually but consumes a lot.

When told the teachers were coming, they were asked to untie their loincloths to make decorative buntings.

This proverb describes a situation where someone acts with excessive or foolish enthusiasm to please someone in authority, even at the cost of their own dignity or basic needs. It is used to mock people who provide overboard, illogical, or self-destructive hospitality/service just to show off their devotion.

Although they give him food mixed with rice washings, he looks towards the net. The guest disbelieved the poor state of the house.

This expression describes a person who is never satisfied with what is readily available or provided to them. It refers to someone who ignores the good things they have right in front of them and remains greedy or distracted by the possibility of something else (the 'utti' or hanging basket where food was traditionally stored). It is used to mock chronic dissatisfaction or a wandering, greedy eye.

If it becomes excessive in the market, it will come to your doorstep.

This expression means that when something becomes overly abundant or common in society, its effects (positive or negative) will eventually reach your own home. It is often used to warn that if a social evil or trend is allowed to grow unchecked, one cannot remain immune to it forever.

Will he who wrote at that time, now cancel it and write again ?

This expression refers to the concept of 'Karma' or 'Destiny'. It implies that what is written in one's fate (by the Creator) is permanent and cannot be altered or undone later. It is often used to express resignation toward one's circumstances or to suggest that one must face the consequences of their destiny as it was originally ordained.

Will the one who wrote it then, wipe it off and rewrite it today?

This expression refers to the concept of destiny or 'Brahma Lipi' (the writing of Fate). It suggests that what is destined to happen according to one's karma or fate cannot be changed, erased, or rewritten by anyone. It is used to express resignation toward inevitable life events or to emphasize that one's lot in life is predetermined.

She is not his mate but his fate. ( See Vēmana Book II, 15. )

This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any skills or usefulness, or to mock a person's poor handwriting or lack of character. It is often used humorously or critically to point out that something isn't what it's supposed to be, or that someone is incompetent in their role.

Clap your hands, O Ranga of Kaveri

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has lost everything and has nothing left to do but clap their hands in despair or surrender. It originates from the idea of a person losing their wealth or status and turning to a simple, detached life of chanting or clapping in devotion. In common usage, it signifies total loss, bankruptcy, or reaching a state of helplessness.

Low-priced gold has more impurities.

This proverb is used to indicate that when something is sold at an unusually low price, it is often of poor quality or has many defects. It is a cautionary saying used to remind people that 'you get what you pay for' and that cheap goods often come with hidden costs or flaws.

If you perform fewer rituals/vows, will you get more results just by asking?

This expression highlights the principle of 'reaping what you sow.' It is used to point out that one cannot expect great rewards or significant success without putting in the necessary hard work or sacrifice. It mocks the unrealistic expectation of getting maximum output from minimum input.