ఉన్న ఊరు కన్నతల్లి వంటిది.

unna uru kannatalli vantidi.

Translation

The village where one lives is like one's own mother.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the deep emotional connection and debt of gratitude one owes to their birthplace or hometown. Just as a mother nurtures and protects her child, the place where one grows up provides sustenance, identity, and a sense of belonging. It is used to encourage patriotism, loyalty to one's roots, or to remind someone never to forget their origins.

Related Phrases

When there are onions Malli is a fine cook. Onions make up for bad cooking.

This expression highlights the essential role of onions in cooking, suggesting that with the right key ingredients or resources, even someone with mediocre skills can produce great results. It is often used to emphasize that having the necessary tools or materials makes a task much easier to accomplish successfully.

The Myrobalan fruit is like one's own mother

This expression refers to the medicinal value of the Haritaki (Karakkaya) fruit in Ayurveda. It implies that just as a mother cares for her child's well-being and health without fail, this medicinal nut protects and heals the body from various ailments. It is used to emphasize the importance of traditional medicine and natural remedies.

Striking the mother's womb and not crossing the threshold.

This expression refers to someone who makes big promises or boasts about great things but fails to perform even the simplest task or take the first step. It is used to describe an idle talker who lacks the initiative to move beyond their immediate surroundings despite their potential or claims.

The village where one lives is like one's own mother.

This expression emphasizes the deep emotional bond and sanctity of one's birthplace or residence. Just as a mother nurtures and protects her child, one's hometown provides identity and sustenance. It is used to express patriotism, loyalty, and the importance of respecting and serving one's roots.

One's wife is another's mother.

This proverb emphasizes respect and moral conduct towards women. It suggests that every woman should be treated with the same respect one gives to their own mother, highlighting that a woman who is a wife to someone is essentially a mother figure to others in society.

Friendship with a Velama is like wealth seen in a dream.

This proverb suggests that certain friendships or alliances might be unreliable or illusory. Just as wealth gained in a dream disappears upon waking, this expression implies that the benefits or the relationship itself might not hold up or remain tangible in reality when most needed. It is used to caution someone about trusting a connection that lacks a solid, lasting foundation.

Even if the gold belongs to his own mother, a goldsmith will not spare it.

This proverb is used to describe people who are so professional, greedy, or habituated to their craft that they do not show bias or mercy even to their closest kin. It specifically refers to the old stereotype that a goldsmith invariably steals a small portion of gold during the making of jewelry, regardless of who the customer is.

Truth is like fire, water is like a mother.

This proverb highlights two fundamental realities: Truth is as powerful and piercing as fire, capable of exposing anything and burning through lies. Water is compared to a mother because it is essential for life, nurturing, and possesses a calming, life-giving nature. It is used to emphasize the importance of honesty and the sustaining power of nature.

Charity given by others is like a mother.

This expression highlights the virtue of external help or charity in times of need. It suggests that when a stranger or another person provides support or sustenance, it is as selfless and nurturing as the care provided by one's own mother, emphasizing gratitude for timely assistance.

The words are of a mother, but the feeding is that of a step-mother.

This proverb is used to describe a person who talks very affectionately and kindly but acts selfishly or cruelly when it comes to providing help or resources. It highlights the hypocrisy between one's sweet words and their stingy actions.