ఉండ్రాళ్ళు పిండివంటాకాదు, ఊదర ధాన్యమూ కాదు.
undrallu pindivantakadu, udara dhanyamu kadu.
Undrallu is not a pastry, and Barnyard millet is not a grain.
This proverb is used to describe something that is of inferior quality or doesn't quite fit into a specific category, often implying that certain things are considered secondary or not as valuable as the main alternatives. In a broader sense, it refers to things that are neither here nor there.
Related Phrases
ఉండ్రాళ్లు పిండివంటా కాదు, వూద ధాన్యమూ కాదు.
undrallu pindivanta kadu, vuda dhanyamu kadu.
Gaṇṭeśa's rice-balls are not cakes, Ūda is not grain. Ūda is the Panicum Flavidum.
This proverb is used to describe something or someone that is mediocre or falls between categories, lacking the distinct quality of either. It refers to items that are considered inferior or 'neither here nor there' in terms of status or utility.
ఎరువు సతము కాదు, వాక్కు తోడు కాదు.
eruvu satamu kadu, vakku todu kadu.
Lent property is not lasting, speech is not help. You cannot always depend upon getting a livelihood by your plani- bility.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the transient nature of external aid. Just as manure only provides a temporary boost to the soil's fertility and eventually depletes, words or promises from others are not a reliable substitute for one's own actions or tangible support. It suggests that one should build their own strengths rather than depending on borrowed resources or empty talk.
ఉల్లి మల్లి కాదు, ఉంచుకున్నది పెళ్ళాం కాదు
ulli malli kadu, unchukunnadi pellam kadu
An onion is not a jasmine flower, and a mistress is not a wife.
This proverb is used to highlight that certain things have inherent limitations and can never replace the original or the ideal. Just as an onion's pungent smell can never match the fragrance of a jasmine, a temporary or illegitimate relationship cannot provide the status, stability, or respect of a legal marriage.
ఏనుగులు తినేవాడికి పీనుగులు పిండివంటలట
enugulu tinevadiki pinugulu pindivantalata
To the man that eats elephants, corpses are as pastry.
This proverb is used to describe someone who has committed massive crimes or blunders and views smaller offenses as insignificant. It can also refer to people with extreme habits or capabilities for whom minor challenges are trivial.
A thoroughly bad man won't stick at trifles.
ఉండ్రాళ్ళు ఒక పిండి వంటేనా, మేనత్తకొడుకూ ఒక మొగుడేనా
undrallu oka pindi vantena, menattakoduku oka mogudena
Are steamed rice balls even a festive delicacy? Is a cross-cousin even a husband?
This proverb is used to express dissatisfaction or indifference towards something that is easily available or lacks excitement. In traditional Telugu culture, marrying a maternal aunt's son was common and expected, leading to a sense of familiarity that lacked the thrill of a new alliance. Similarly, 'undrallu' are simple steamed rice balls, considered plain compared to elaborate sweets. It describes a situation where familiarity breeds a lack of value.
ఏనుగులు తినేవాడికి పీనుగలు పిండివంటలత్తా?
enugulu tinevadiki pinugalu pindivantalatta?
For one who eats elephants, are corpses considered delicacies?
This proverb is used to describe a person who handles massive tasks or challenges and finds small, trivial problems insignificant. It suggests that someone accustomed to grand or difficult things will not be bothered or satisfied by minor, petty matters. It is often used to mock someone trying to threaten or tempt a powerful person with something very small.
ఊదర ఒక ధాన్యమా? ఉండ్రాళ్ళు ఒక పిండివంటా?
udara oka dhanyama? undrallu oka pindivanta?
Is 'Oodara' a grain? Are 'Undrallu' a delicacy?
This expression is used to mock someone who tries to pass off trivial, low-quality, or insignificant things as something grand or professional. It is used when someone makes a poor comparison or presents something mediocre as if it were an achievement.
ఆవు పొదుగులోనే అరవై ఆరు పిండివంటలున్నాయి.
avu podugulone aravai aru pindivantalunnayi.
There are sixty-six varieties of delicacies right inside the cow's udder.
This proverb highlights the immense value and versatility of milk provided by a cow. It implies that from a single source (milk), one can create a vast multitude of foods, sweets, and nutrients, emphasizing the cow's sacred and provider status in Indian culture.
ముండకాదు, ముత్తైదువా కాదు
mundakadu, muttaiduva kadu
Neither a widow nor a married woman with a living husband.
This expression refers to a person or a situation that is in a state of limbo or ambiguity, not belonging to one clear category or another. It is used to describe something that is neither here nor there, often implying a lack of clear identity, status, or decision.
అరవై ఆరు పిండివంటలూ ఆవుచంటిలోనే ఉన్నాయి.
aravai aru pindivantalu avuchantilone unnayi.
Sixty-six types of delicacies are found right in the cow's udder.
This proverb highlights the supreme importance of milk and dairy products in traditional Indian cuisine. It suggests that milk is the fundamental source or 'mother' of all great food varieties, implying that if one has milk, they have the essence of all nutritious and delicious preparations.