సంతు లేని తల్లి, చింత లేని పెళ్ళి

santu leni talli, chinta leni pelli

Translation

A mother without offspring, a wedding without worry.

Meaning

This proverb is used ironically or sarcastically to describe a situation that is incomplete or lacks its fundamental purpose. Just as a woman cannot be a mother without children, a grand event like a wedding is rarely free of some level of worry or responsibility. It implies that certain roles or events naturally come with inherent burdens or characteristics, and without them, the situation is paradoxical or meaningless.

Related Phrases

A motherless child is like a curry without onions.

This proverb highlights the essential role of a mother in a child's life. Just as onions are considered a fundamental base that adds flavor and completeness to a dish, a mother's presence is vital for a child's well-being and upbringing. It is used to describe how a home or a child's life feels incomplete or lacks essential care without a mother.

Fondling without a child, a flood without rain.

This proverb is used to describe something that is meaningless, artificial, or lacks a foundation. Just as a flood cannot exist without rain and kissing has no purpose without a child (in a parental context), an action or situation without its core essence or cause is considered hollow or futile.

A bell without sound, a crop without grain.

This expression refers to something that lacks its core essence or purpose. Just as a bell is useless if it cannot ring and a crop is worthless if it doesn't yield grain, any object or person that does not fulfill their fundamental function is considered ineffective or hollow. It is used to describe wasted effort or decorative things that have no practical value.

A farm without a tree, a village without a relative

This proverb highlights the feeling of isolation and lack of support. Just as a farm without a tree offers no shade or respite for a farmer, a village where one has no relatives or friends offers no emotional support or belonging. It is used to describe situations where one feels lonely or lacks a support system in a particular place.

A village without discipline is like a lake without an embankment.

This proverb highlights the importance of rules, leadership, and discipline in a community. Just as a lake without a boundary or embankment cannot hold water and will eventually go dry or cause destruction, a village or society without moral or legal constraints will fall into chaos and ruin.

A word without a proverb is like a house without a feast.

This expression highlights the cultural importance of proverbs in Telugu language and conversation. Just as a home feels empty and unwelcoming without hospitality or a meal for guests, a speech or conversation lacks depth, wisdom, and flavor if it doesn't incorporate proverbs.

Curry without onion is like a wedding without dal.

This proverb is used to describe something that is incomplete or lacks a fundamental ingredient. In Telugu cuisine and culture, onions are essential for taste in curries, and serving dal is a basic requirement for a wedding feast. It highlights that certain elements are indispensable for an experience or task to be satisfactory.

A house without children is like a community hall or a cattle shed.

This proverb highlights the traditional belief that children bring life, joy, and a sense of family to a home. Without them, a house feels empty, impersonal, or noisy without purpose, much like a public resting place (chavadi) or a shed for animals.

A blow without a rod, a bond without a rope.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is deeply affected, controlled, or punished by words, social pressure, or psychological influence rather than physical force. It is often used to refer to a verbal reprimand or a situation where a person is bound by their own sense of duty or obligation without any physical constraints.

A sudden and unaccountable calamity.

A priest without a tuft for a woman without a bun.

This proverb is used to describe a match between two people who are equally lacking or poorly suited in a similar way. It implies that a person gets a partner or an associate who is just as flawed or incomplete as they are, often used in a humorous or satirical context to describe mediocre pairings.