తలకు దారి లేదు, బుడ్డకు అటకలి.

talaku dari ledu, buddaku atakali.

Translation

No way for the head, but a headrest for the genitals.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or a proper foundation (the head) but indulges in unnecessary luxuries or shows off with trivial things (the genitals). It mocks someone whose priorities are misplaced or who tries to maintain a facade of comfort despite being in a dire situation.

Related Phrases

Not a morsel to eat, but Aṭakali for his head.

This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks the basic necessities for survival (like drinking water) but spends resources or attention on superficial or unnecessary luxuries (like using gruel as a hair conditioner). It is used to mock misplaced priorities or someone who puts on appearances despite being in extreme poverty.

Aṭakali is an expensive preparation used for cleansing the head.

There is no dearth of songs during the pounding of grain.

This expression describes a situation where there is an endless supply of something, often referring to talkativeness or irrelevant commentary. Just as people used to sing continuous, rhythmic folk songs to pass the time while manually pounding grain, it is used to describe someone who keeps talking or producing content without much effort or thought.

There is no water to drink for thirst, but starch is applied to the hair.

This proverb describes a situation where a person lacks basic necessities for survival (like drinking water) but indulges in superficial or luxurious displays (like styling hair with starch). It is used to mock someone who maintains an outward show of status while suffering in poverty or lacking essentials.

Not even gruel to drink, but asks for flowers/decorations for the head.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or means of survival, yet indulges in unnecessary luxuries or shows off beyond their status. It highlights the irony of being poor but maintaining a false sense of vanity or pride.

There is no limit to purity, nor any beginning to impurity. Man is sinful from his birth, and never attains to perfect purity.

This proverb highlights that tradition and custom (Achara) can be endlessly elaborate with no final limit, while deviations or lack of tradition (Anachara) have no specific origin or defined structure. It is often used to suggest that one can get lost in the complexities of rituals or that improper conduct has existed forever without a clear starting point.

Like saying if you eat boddaku (a type of medicinal leaf), your wisdom will increase.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a specific task or consumes something with the naive expectation that it will instantly grant them intelligence or a desired quality. It highlights the belief in traditional remedies or simple actions leading to significant mental improvement.

Silk cloth and a fallen woman have no pollution.

This is a traditional saying used to point out contradictions in rules of ritual purity. It suggests that silk is considered perpetually 'pure' regardless of what touches it, often used as a metaphor to describe people who think they are above the rules or situations where status outweighs social stigma.

Ghosts have no intellect, and humans have no fear.

This proverb describes a state of total chaos or lawlessness. It is used when neither the supernatural forces (or those in power) act with wisdom, nor do the common people show any discipline or restraint, leading to a situation where there is no order.

No acridity in Kanda or Chêma, how can there be any in Tôṭakûra ?

This expression is used to mock someone who is unnecessarily bothered or offended by something when the people directly involved are perfectly fine. It highlights the absurdity of an outsider reacting more strongly than the principal parties, similar to the English sentiment of being 'more Catholic than the Pope.'

Kanda is the Arum Campanulatum; Chêma is the Colocasia Antiquorum; Tôṭakûra is applied to the Amaranthus Oleraceus, and other herbs. When a man's relatives and friends won't assist him, why should help be expected from a mere acquaintance ?

He is not wanting in words.

This proverb means that speaking or making promises costs nothing. It is used to describe situations where people talk big or offer hollow words because talking is free and requires no actual resources or effort.

He ruins himself in promises, and clears himself by giving nothing. ( French. )*