తొలకరి వానలు మొలకలకు తల్లి.
tolakari vanalu molakalaku talli.
The first monsoon rains are the mother to the sprouts.
This proverb highlights the vital importance of the first rains of the season for agriculture. Just as a mother nurtures and gives life to her children, the early monsoon rains provide the necessary moisture and life-force for seeds to germinate and young plants to grow. It is used to describe something that acts as a primary source of life, growth, or a successful beginning.
Related Phrases
మొలిచే చెట్టు మొలకలోనే తెలుస్తుంది
moliche chettu molakalone telustundi
The tree that will grow is known even at the sprout stage.
This proverb suggests that a person's future potential or character can be identified during their childhood or at the very beginning of a project. It is similar to the English proverb 'The child is the father of the man' or 'Coming events cast their shadows before'.
చిత్తలో తొలకరైతే తట్ట తగలెయ్యాలి
chittalo tolakaraite tatta tagaleyyali
If it rains during the Chitta star period, you might as well burn your basket.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb. 'Chitta' is an auspicious lunar mansion (nakshatra) for rains. The saying suggests that if it rains during this specific period, the resulting harvest will be so poor or the drought so severe that a farmer won't even need a basket ('tatta') to carry the produce, implying total crop failure or a change in seasonal patterns.
ఎండా వానా కలిసి వస్తే కుక్కలకూ నక్కలకూ పెళ్లి.
enda vana kalisi vaste kukkalaku nakkalaku pelli.
When it sunshines and rains together, it is a wedding for dogs and foxes.
This is a popular Telugu folk saying used when the sun shines while it is raining simultaneously. It is often told to children as a whimsical explanation for this rare weather phenomenon, suggesting that such magical or unusual weather signifies a celebration in the animal kingdom.
మొలది విప్పి తలకు చుట్టినట్లు
moladi vippi talaku chuttinatlu
Like untying the loincloth and wrapping it around the head
This expression describes a situation where one solves a problem by creating another equally bad or inconvenient problem, or shifting resources from one essential place to another without any real gain. It is often used to criticize poor management or awkward solutions.
వరి మొలకా, మగమొలకా ఒకటి.
vari molaka, magamolaka okati.
A paddy sprout and a male sprout (child) are one and the same.
This proverb highlights that both a paddy sprout and a male child require constant care, protection, and nurturing in their early stages to ensure a productive future. Just as a young plant is vulnerable to pests and weather, a young boy needs proper guidance and safeguarding to grow into a responsible man.
ఇంటికి పేరు, తలకు జుట్టు, మొలకు మొలతాడు లేని తురకను నమ్మరాదు
intiki peru, talaku juttu, molaku molatadu leni turakanu nammaradu
One should not trust a Turaka (man) who has no house name, no hair on his head, and no thread around his waist.
This is an old proverb used to express skepticism towards individuals who lack traditional identifiers or social markers of accountability. It suggests that a person with no roots (house name), no identifiable features, or who doesn't follow local customs is difficult to hold responsible or trust. In modern usage, it serves as a metaphor for being cautious of people who lack transparency or have no stake in the local community.
తలకోసి మొల వేసినట్టు
talakosi mola vesinattu
Like cutting off the head and attaching it to the waist.
This expression is used to describe a completely illogical, foolish, or disproportionate solution to a problem. It refers to a situation where the remedy is worse than the disease, or when someone tries to fix a minor issue by causing a much larger, irreversible disaster.
తొలకరిలో చెరువు నిండినా, తొలిచూలు కొడుకు పుట్టినా మేలు.
tolakarilo cheruvu nindina, tolichulu koduku puttina melu.
It is beneficial if the pond fills during the first rains of the season, or if a son is born as the first child.
This traditional proverb reflects agrarian values and historical social structures. Just as early rains filling the village pond ensure a prosperous farming year, having a firstborn son was traditionally seen as a sign of future support and security for the family. It is used to describe events that provide a great start or a solid foundation for the future.
వానలకు మఖ, కుక్కలకు చిత్త.
vanalaku makha, kukkalaku chitta.
For rains Makha, for dogs Chitta.
This proverb refers to the Indian astrological lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It suggests that the Makha Nakshatra period is known for heavy rainfall, while the Chitta Nakshatra period is associated with the breeding season or increased activity of dogs. It is used to describe the characteristic traits or expected behaviors of specific seasonal periods.
తరవాణి తల్లి
taravani talli
Mother Gruel / Mother Fermented Rice Water
This expression refers to 'Taravani' (the water drained from cooked rice and fermented overnight), personifying it as a nourishing mother. In Telugu culture, it signifies the humble yet highly nutritious food that sustained poor or rural families, emphasizing simplicity, health, and gratitude for basic sustenance.