సై అనే కలువాయి, అవిశలగల యిల్లు జూపే కలువాయి, బిళ్ళ కుడుము మాదిరి రూపాయి తట్టేసి బిగుసుకునే కలువాయి

sai ane kaluvayi, avishalagala yillu jupe kaluvayi, billa kudumu madiri rupayi tattesi bigusukune kaluvayi

Translation

The Kaluwayi that says 'yes', the Kaluwayi that shows a house with hummingbird tree leaves, the Kaluwayi that takes a rupee shaped like a steamed cake and tightens its grip.

Meaning

This is a historical local saying or 'sameta' from the Nellore district regarding the village of Kaluwayi. It describes a deceptive practice where strangers were lured with hospitality ('saying yes' and showing a house), only to be swindled of their money (the silver rupee) through clever manipulation or 'ankutalu' (deception). It is used to caution people against being misled by outward appearances of friendliness that hide a motive to steal or cheat.

Related Phrases

A suitable land the size of a palm is enough

This proverb emphasizes quality over quantity. It suggests that a small amount of something useful, effective, or high-quality is much better than a vast amount of something useless. It is often used to describe how a small but fertile piece of land is better than acres of barren land, or how a single capable person is better than a large, incompetent group.

The cooling of the ploughed soil is the true cooling - mother's milk is the true milk.

This proverb highlights that certain things are incomparable and original in their value. Just as ploughed land retains moisture and nutrients essential for crops, mother's milk is the ultimate nourishment for a child. It is used to emphasize the importance of foundational or natural things over artificial or secondary alternatives.

Leaving the pond and catching the canal instead.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone abandons a stable, abundant, or primary source of resources (the pond) in favor of a temporary, narrow, or unreliable source (the canal). It highlights poor decision-making where one trades a greater benefit for a lesser one.

Empty grains for watery toddy.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two inferior or low-quality things are exchanged or paired together. It suggests a 'tit-for-tat' scenario where neither party can complain because both provided something of poor value. It is similar to saying 'diamond cuts diamond' but in a negative or poor-quality context.

Whichever leg slips there is danger to the child.

This expression refers to a situation where a child being carried is at risk regardless of which leg the carrier slips on. It is used to describe scenarios where a vulnerable party or a dependent will suffer the consequences regardless of which specific mistake is made by the person in charge or the authority figure.

Water needs a lily, speech needs pleasantness.

Just as a water lily enhances the beauty and serenity of a pond, pleasant and polite words bring grace and coolness to a conversation. It emphasizes the importance of speaking kindly and gently to maintain harmony.

When Gūṭāla Pōli was told to amend her ways, she said she would rather break off the match. Obstinate behaviour. Stubborn conduct.

This proverb describes a stubborn person who refuses to change their inherent nature or bad habits, even if it costs them their most important relationships or well-being. It is used to highlight that a person's basic temperament is often unchangeable, regardless of the consequences.

* Chi ha testa di vetro non faocia a' sass. † Il cico non des giudicar del colori.

Standing in a place where one shouldn't stand leads to forty accusations.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of choosing the right environment and company. If you stay in a place or situation that is inappropriate for your character or social standing, you will inevitably face numerous false accusations or damage to your reputation, even if you have done nothing wrong.

Philosophy that leaves the finger.

This expression is used to describe a person who behaves as if they have attained high spiritual knowledge or detachment, but in reality, they lack even basic common sense or fail to fulfill simple responsibilities. It often mocks pseudo-intellectualism or hypocritical detachment.

Can a person who cannot cross a small canal, cross an ocean?

This proverb is used to highlight that if someone lacks the capability to perform a small or basic task, they are certainly incapable of handling much larger or more complex challenges. It is often used to criticize someone making grand claims without proving their worth in simpler matters.