పోచమ్మకు కందురు, పీర్లకు బోనాలు

This proverb describes a situation where those who are doing the actual work or are in genuine need are neglected, while unnecessary resources are spent on rituals or symbolic objects. It is used to criticize irony in management or charity where the living/deserving are ignored in favor of the inanimate or superficial.

Caring for the dead and neglecting the living.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person known for deceit, manipulation, or brokerage (taking commissions) does something seemingly generous. Even when they perform a good deed or host a meal, people remain skeptical and suspicious of their hidden motives or the source of the funds.

This expression is used to highlight a total lack of connection or relevance between two things being discussed. It describes a situation where someone brings up an unrelated topic, similar to the English idiom 'comparing apples and oranges' or 'having no rhyme or reason.'

This proverb describes a situation where both members of a couple are excessively charitable with common resources, often to the point of depleting them. While the mother gives away food or money to one group of mendicants (Dasaris), the father gives to another (Jangams). It is used to satirize households where there is no financial discipline or when everyone is busy being generous at the expense of their own stability.

This traditional proverb highlights the cultural observation that daughters often provide better care, comfort, and emotional support to their parents in old age compared to sons. While sons were traditionally preferred for lineage, the saying suggests that daughters ensure their mother sits comfortably (chairs), whereas sons might leave her with no place but the outside of the house (eaves).

This proverb describes a common human tendency where a person who is present is treated with respect or given tasks, while those who are absent or failed to show up are criticized or spoken of with long, complaining tones (ragalu). It is used to highlight how people often grumble about those who aren't there to defend themselves or how presence dictates treatment.

This expression is used to describe two events or things that are completely unrelated or incongruous. It highlights a situation where someone is trying to link two totally different topics that have no logical connection, similar to the English phrase 'Comparing apples and oranges'.

This traditional proverb highlights the observation that daughters often take better care of their aging parents with comfort and respect (represented by chairs), whereas sons may neglect them or leave them with no proper place to stay (represented by the eaves of a wall or corners of a house).

In the Telugu calendar, Ashadham is a month of heavy winds and rains that often damage young crops. This proverb is used to describe a situation where a common disaster or a single bad circumstance affects everyone or everything equally, leaving no one spared.

This proverb describes a situation where a person works hard but receives very little or negligible compensation. It is used to highlight unfair pay, exploitation, or situations where one has to settle for meager leftovers despite significant effort.