నువ్వు చస్తే బొబ్బర్లు

nuvvu chaste bobbarlu

Translation

Black-eyed peas if you die

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely selfish or insensitive, someone who only cares about their own gain or benefit even in a tragic situation like someone else's death. It refers to the tradition of serving black-eyed peas (bobbarlu) during funeral rites, implying the person is more interested in the meal than the loss of life.

Related Phrases

If the calf dies there will be Kammalam, if the she buffalo dies there will be quiet. Kammalam, corrupted from the Tamil Kaimúlam (கைமூలం) is a name given to milk drawn from a cow or buffalo which has lost its calf.

This proverb describes a situation where one finds relief or a silver lining in a loss. Losing a calf provides hide for a blanket (a small consolation), but losing the buffalo (which requires a lot of care and work) brings total freedom from the burden of chores. It is used when a difficult responsibility finally ends, even if the ending was a loss.

If the mother dies, the generation is lost; if the father dies, the debt is cleared.

This proverb describes the traditional roles of parents in a family. When a mother passes away, the emotional connection and bonds between siblings and extended family (the generation) often weaken or dissolve. When a father passes away, the family's financial obligations, inheritances, and responsibilities (the debt/burden) transition to the next generation or are settled.

When a crow dies, many people cry (mockingly), but when a lonely or poor person dies, there is no one to weep.

This proverb highlights the irony and hypocrisy in society. It suggests that people often make a big fuss over trivial or common occurrences (like a crow's death) but remain indifferent to the genuine suffering or demise of an unfortunate, isolated individual who has no influence or wealth.

If one dies during the day, there is nothing for the mouth; if one dies at night, there is no lamp.

This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.

If you were to die, would the whole earth be bones ?

This proverb is used to mock someone's extreme self-importance or vanity. It suggests that the world doesn't stop functioning or lose its value just because one individual is gone. It is often a retort to people who act as if they are indispensable.

Land donation if one lives, cow donation if one dies.

This proverb refers to someone who is in a critical, life-threatening situation where they are making desperate promises or sacrifices regardless of the outcome. It is often used to describe a 'win-win' situation for a priest or a middleman who benefits from a person's rituals whether they survive (through land offerings) or pass away (through cow offerings for the soul's journey).

Even a hundred whip lashes are not equal to one Bobbattu (sweet flatbread).

This expression is used to describe a situation where one is willing to endure significant physical hardship or punishment if the reward is a delicious meal or something very desirable. It highlights how the craving for good food can sometimes outweigh the fear of pain.

If he dies in the day, there is no rice to put in his mouth; if he dies in the night, there is no oil for a lamp. Rice is put into the mouth of the dead at the funeral ceremony. Said of a miserably poor person.

This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.

If one dies during the day there is no wick, if one dies at night there is no lamp.

This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty or a sequence of unfortunate timings where basic necessities are unavailable regardless of the situation. It is used to highlight a person's miserable condition where they lack resources for even essential rites or survival, no matter when or how the need arises.

If you die, is the whole world just bones?

This proverb is used to criticize someone's excessive ego or self-importance. It implies that the world does not stop existing or lose its value just because one individual is gone. It is often said to people who think they are indispensable or that everything revolves around them.