తెలుగు తేట, అరవం అధ్వాన్నం

This proverb describes a person who spends a large amount of money or effort on a major project but fails or becomes stingy over a very small, essential detail required to manage it. It is used to critique someone who is 'penny wise and pound foolish,' showing how neglect of minor necessities can render a huge investment useless.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is so overwhelmed by their financial troubles or immediate material problems that they cannot focus on spirituality, beauty, or traditional rituals. 'Arundhati' refers to the star often pointed out during weddings as a symbol of virtue; here, it signifies spiritual or higher pursuits that are ignored due to the crushing weight of debt.

This is a popular linguistic proverb used to describe the perceived characteristics of South Indian languages. It suggests that Tamil sounds harsh or disorganized (adhwaannam), Telugu is pure and lucid (theta), while Kannada is as sweet and fragrant as musk (kasturi).

This expression is used to describe a situation or an asset (like a business, project, or luxury item) that yields high results or prestige but requires an equally high level of maintenance and expenditure. It signifies that big ventures come with big responsibilities and costs.

This expression is used to describe a situation where two unfortunate or difficult events occur simultaneously. Since Ekadashi is a day of fasting and Tuesday is often considered an inauspicious or 'harsh' day in certain traditional contexts, the combination implies a state of double trouble or a completely ruined situation.

This is a sarcastic expression used to describe a person who appears calm, innocent, or polite on the outside (face), but possesses a mischievous, restless, or troublesome nature internally. It highlights the hypocrisy or hidden behavioral issues of an individual who looks decent but constantly looks for trouble.

This proverb is used to describe a dilemma or a 'catch-22' situation where any decision made will result in displeasing one party or causing a problem. It reflects a state of being stuck between two difficult choices where you cannot satisfy everyone.

This is a popular linguistic proverb comparing South Indian languages. It describes Tamil as difficult or harsh to the ears (Adhwannam), Telugu as lucid and sweet (Theta), and Kannada as fragrant and precious like musk (Kasturi). It is used to highlight the distinct phonetic qualities of these sister languages.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone asks for help or a basic necessity, but instead of being helped, they are treated cruelly or given something harmful. It highlights the act of adding insult to injury or responding to a genuine plea with a malicious action.

This is a traditional comparative saying (sameta) about South Indian languages. It characterizes Tamil as difficult or rough to understand (adhvannam), Telugu as melodious and clear (theta), and Kannada as fragrant and precious like musk (kasturi). It is often used in cultural discussions to highlight the unique phonetic qualities and perceived 'flavors' of these Dravidian languages.