తల వెంట్రుకలంత బలగమున్నా తలకొరివి పెట్టే దిక్కులేదు

tala ventrukalanta balagamunna talakorivi pette dikkuledu

Translation

Even if one has relatives as numerous as the hairs on their head, there is no one to perform the final rites.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is surrounded by many relatives or supporters, yet none of them are reliable or available to help during a critical time of need or at the end of their life. It highlights the irony of having a large but useless circle of people.

Related Phrases

Like pulling a hair out of butter

This expression is used to describe a task or process that is performed with extreme ease, smoothness, or without any resistance. It is often used when someone handles a difficult situation effortlessly or when a resolution is reached very cleanly.

God is the help of the helpless. God is where He was.

This proverb is used to express that when someone has no support, family, or help in the world, God will protect and guide them. It is equivalent to the English sentiment that God helps those who are helpless or abandoned.

Even if there are relatives as large as a fence, there is no one to put food in the plate.

This proverb describes a situation where a person has a vast network of relatives or supporters, yet finds themselves completely neglected or without help in their time of need. It highlights the irony of having 'quantity' in relationships without any 'quality' or genuine care.

Even with strength the size of a mountain, there is no one to perform the final rites.

This proverb highlights a tragic situation where a person might have achieved great power, wealth, or physical strength during their lifetime, yet lacks a family member or a son to perform their funeral rites (specifically lighting the funeral pyre). It is used to describe the irony of being powerful in life but helpless and lonely in death.

A woman with plenty of hair can style it into any bun she likes.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person who has the necessary resources, wealth, or power has the freedom to do anything or make any choice. Just as long hair allows for many hairstyles, abundance provides many options.

Kokkamma has a crowd of crows, Kotayya has a troop of monkeys.

This expression is used to describe groups of people who gather without a real purpose or coordination, often characterized by noise and chaos. It refers to having a large number of followers or relatives who are unhelpful, disorganized, or purely opportunistic, much like a noisy flock of crows or a disruptive group of monkeys.

A crowd as vast as the head, but no one to care for the head itself.

This proverb refers to a situation where a person has many relatives or followers (a large support system), yet none of them are helpful or available when the person actually needs personal care or assistance. It highlights the irony of having a large social circle that is useless in times of individual need.

Like removing a hair from butter

This expression is used to describe a task performed with extreme ease, smoothness, and without causing any disturbance or damage. It signifies a delicate operation executed so perfectly that the surroundings remain unaffected, often used to describe resolving a complex issue effortlessly.

Even if one has a family as large as the hairs on their head, there is no one to perform the final rites.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person has many relatives or followers, yet none of them are reliable or willing to help during a critical time or in their final moments. It emphasizes the difference between quantity and quality of relationships.

For those who have no one, God is the only refuge

This proverb is used to convey that when a person is helpless, abandoned, or has no support system (orphans, the destitute, or the oppressed), the divine power or providence is their ultimate protector. It is often used to offer comfort in dire situations or to remind others that the helpless are under God's care.