తిరుపతి మంగళవాడి వలె
tirupati mangalavadi vale
Like the Tirapati barber.
This expression refers to a person who starts many tasks simultaneously but finishes none of them efficiently, or someone who keeps people waiting by jumping from one job to another. It originates from the practice in Tirupati where barbers, dealing with huge crowds, would partially shave one person's head and move to the next to ensure no customer left their queue.
Has it all his own way. Pilgrims visiting the place have to get their heads shaved, and as one man has the entire monopoly he keeps them waiting for hours, taking payment in advance and shaving a little bit of one man's head and then a little bit of another, to prevent them from going away. Applied to a person selfishly taking work out of others' hands which he is unable to complete himself.
Related Phrases
ఇరుగు ఇంగలం పొరుగు మంగలం
irugu ingalam porugu mangalam
The neighbors are fire and the surroundings are soot (or bad omens).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is surrounded by difficult or troublesome neighbors on all sides. It implies that no matter which way you turn, there is conflict or negativity, making it impossible to live in peace.
కడపటి మడివాని కటారిపోటు కంటె, ఎదుటి మడివాని ఏకుపోటు మేలు
kadapati madivani kataripotu kante, eduti madivani ekupotu melu
A prick from the weaver's spindle in front is better than a stab from the warrior's dagger from behind.
This proverb emphasizes that facing a minor or blunt confrontation directly is far better than suffering a lethal or severe betrayal from an unexpected source. It is often used to suggest that honest, direct opposition is preferable to hidden or backstabbing enemies.
అయ్య తిరుపతి, అమ్మ పరపతి.
ayya tirupati, amma parapati.
Husband is in Tirupati, Wife is on credit.
This proverb describes a situation where the head of the family (husband) is away or has abandoned responsibilities (symbolized by going to the pilgrimage site Tirupati), while the wife manages the household by taking debts or relying on social standing (credit). It is used to mock families that maintain an outward show of status while being financially unstable or lacking internal coordination.
అతడు ఉంటే మంగళవాణ్ని అయినా పిలుచును.
atadu unte mangalavanni ayina piluchunu.
[ Like a widow saying ] " if he were alive, he would at least call the barber."
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely talkative or craves company to such an extent that they would strike up a conversation with anyone available, regardless of their status or the relevance of the topic, just to avoid being alone or silent.
This is a reproach to the husband as being a useless fellow only fit to be employed as a messenger, and is also a joke, as the widow only, and not the wife, requires the services of a barber, to shave her head.
అలవాటులో పొరపాటు
alavatulo porapatu
A mistake within a habit
This expression is used to describe a mistake that occurs unintentionally due to a routine or a long-standing habit. It is often used as a lighthearted excuse when someone does something out of force of habit even when the situation demands otherwise.
చుట్టూ చూరుమంగళం, నడమ జయమంగళం
chuttu churumangalam, nadama jayamangalam
The eaves are all in good order, and there is a joyful song in the court. Expressive of prosperity.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is putting on a show of success or celebration despite being surrounded by ruin or failure. It mocks a person who acts grandly while their basic environment or affairs are in shambles, similar to a house with a leaking roof (choorumangalam) having a grand celebration (jayamangalam) inside.
చుట్టూ చూరుమంగళం, నడుమ జయమంగళం
chuttu churumangalam, naduma jayamangalam
Eaves burning all around, while singing songs of victory in the middle.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where everything surrounding a person is falling apart or in ruins, yet they remain oblivious or falsely celebratory about their own central position. It mockingly refers to someone celebrating a 'victory' while their entire support system or house is actually on fire.
చాకలివాని భార్యకు మంగలివాడు విడాకులు ఇచ్చినట్లు
chakalivani bharyaku mangalivadu vidakulu ichchinatlu
Like the barber's giving a written divorcement to the washerwoman's wife.
This expression is used to describe an absurd or illogical situation where a person interferes in a matter that they have absolutely no authority or legal standing over. It refers to someone trying to settle or decide an issue that does not involve them at all.
మంగళవారంనాడు మండెలు వేయకూడదు.
mangalavaramnadu mandelu veyakudadu.
One should not set up haystacks on a Tuesday.
This is a traditional agricultural superstition in Telugu culture. It suggests that starting significant agricultural work, specifically piling haystacks (mandelu), on a Tuesday brings bad luck or fire accidents. It is used to denote cultural taboos and the practice of choosing auspicious days for important tasks.
తిరుపతికి పోగానే తురక దాసరి అవునా?
tirupatiki pogane turaka dasari avuna?
Will a Mussulman become a Dâsari by going to Tirapati? Tirapati ( prop. Tirupati ) is a sacred hill about 80 miles from Madras.
This proverb is used to emphasize that a person's fundamental nature, identity, or habits do not change simply by visiting a place or changing their environment. It highlights that external actions do not necessarily lead to internal transformations.