Translations of some songs of Carntic music: 2017

Friday, October 27, 2017

Va , va , va Vadivel Muruga

AAndavan Pichai

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

( Thanks to my face book friend Hariharasubramanian Venkatasubramanian who brought this great prayer to my notice)

“Andavan Pichai is a contemporary woman composer who composed in Telugu, Tamil and Sanskrit. It is said that her vision of Lord Muruga was the impetus behind her compositions. One of the well known songs for all us “Ullam Urugudhayaa” was composed by you but got lot popular after TMS sang that song. She is also an ambal upasaki. She has composed a Tamil version of Soundarya Lahari. It is believed that she composed a poem on ambal while she was delivering her child!

It seems that this great soul has been born with a special devotion and a blessing from divinity from childhood. Once when Mahaperiyava was visiting her place, everyone in her street were standing outside with poorna kumbam etc. Her parents were also one among them. When Periyava approached and told her father, “Go and call the girl who is washing the dishes inside”…”She is not an ordinary girl…She is Aandavan Pichai”. After she came out Periyava accepted the poorna kumbam and blessed her. This incident was narrated by one of the people who were there at that time…(I dont have a proof for this!). In her last days, she went to rishikesh and attained siddhi.”

வா வா வா வடிவேல் முருகா
வண்ண மயில் ஏறி வா வா வா

Va Va Vadi Vel Muruga ,

Vanna mayi yeri va va va

Come come Muruga with staff like spear,

Come come come riding on a coloured peacock

நீல மயிலேறி வா வா வா
நீலகண்டன் மகனே வா வா வா
பாலமுருகனே வா வா வா
பாதம் பணிந்தோம் காக்க வா வா வா. ( வா வா வா )

Nela Mayileri Va va va,

Neela kandan Makane va va va,

Bala murugane va va va ,

Padham paninthom kakka va va va

Come, come, come riding on a blue peacock,

Son of God who has a blue b neck come, come come.

Oh Muruga in form oh a boy come, come ,come .

We saluted your feet , .to protect us conme, come come

ஆனந்த வடிவனே வா வா வா
அம்பிகையாள் பாலகனே வா வா வா
கானக் குறத்திக் கன்பா வா வா வா
கார்த்திகை மைந்தனே வா வா வா
( வா வா வா )

AAnanda vadivane va va va ,

Ambigayaal balagane va va va,

Kana kurathikku anbaa va va va ,

Karthikai mainthane va va va

Oh K Lord with joyful form come , come , come,

Oh son of Goddess Parvathy come, come , come

Oh Darling of the kurathhi of the forest come , come , come

குஞ்சரி நாயகனே வா வா வா
கும்பமுனி குருவே வா வா வா
தஞ்சமடைந்தேன் உன்னை வா வா வா
தாமதமேன் ஓடி வா வா வா
( வா வா வா )

Kunchari Nayakana va va va,

Kumbhamuni Guruva va va va ,

THanjamadainthen unnai va va va,

Thamatham yen odi va va

Come come the lord of a lady who walks like an elephant

Oh Guru of Agasthya , come come , come ,

Have surrendered to you, come , come come

Why delay , come , come come running

தணிகாசல பதியே வா வா வா
தாயினும் தயையுடையாய் வா வா வா
( உன்னை ) பணியாப் பிழை பொறுத்து வா வா வா
பவப்பிணி தீர்த்திட வா வா வா
( வா வா வா )

THanikachala pathiye va va va,

Thayinum dhayai udayai va va va,

(Unnai) paniyaa pizhai poruthu va va va,

Bhava pini theerthida va vava

Oh Lord of Thiruthani mountain come , come , come,

Oh Lord who has more kindness than the mother come, come , come,

Please pardon me for the mistake of not saluting you,. Come, come , come

For destroying the illness of Samsara come, come, come

வடபழனி ஆண்டவனே வா வா வா
வரமளித்து வாழ்வு தர வா வா வா
விடமாட்டோம் உன் பதத்தை வா வா வா
விருப்பமுடன் பாடுகின்றோம் வா வா வா
( வா வா வா )

Vada Pazhani aandavane va va va,

Varamalithu vaazhvu thara va va va ,

Vida maattom un padathai va va va,

Viruppamudan paadukirom va va va

Oh Lord of Vada Pazhani come , come come

Come come , come to give boons and make my life great ,

We will not leave your feet, come come come,

We are singing this with desire come , come , come

போரூர் பெருமானே வா வா வா
போற்றுகின்றோம் பொன்னடியை வா வா வா
ஏர்ஊர்ந்தான் மைந்தனே வா வா வா
ஏழை எங்களை காக்க வா வா வா
( வா வா வா )

Porur perumane va va va ,

Pothrukirom ponnadiyai va va va ,

Yer oornthaan mainthane va va va

Yezhai yengalai kaakka va va va

Oh Lord of Porur come , come , come

WE praise your gol;den feet come , come , come

Oh Son of God who travels on a bull come , come ,cme

Come , come , come to protect us poor people

கைலாஸ வாஸ கந்தா வா வா வா
கடைக் கண்ணால் பார்த்திறங்கி வா வா வா
ஒயிலாக மயிலேறி வா வா வா
( எங்கள் ) உள்ளத்தில் என்றும் வாழ வா வா வா

Kailasa vasa kandha va va va ,

Kadai kannal parthu yirangi va va va ,

Oyilaaga mayileri va va va ,

(Yengal) ullathil yendrum vaazha va va va

Oh Skandha who lives on Kailsa come, come , come,

See us with a corner of your eyes , take pity on us and come , come , come,

Come prettily climbing on the pea cock, cme , come , come

Come, come, come, to forever live in our mind

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Thangam Mami’s sashti Krithis in English

It is God’s will that I should post it today as tomorrow is thSkanda Sashti day

Smt Thangam Viswanathan (THangam Mami ) is a great music composer in Tamil living in Peston Sagar , Mumba.Here is a great composition of hers about Lord Subrahmanya in different Aru Padai Veedu temples in Tamil Nadu. She calls this set of Kruthis as Sashti Kruthis. Each of them have been written as Bhajan songs , with a Dhyana Slogam , Krithi ending with a Namavali .My pranams to the great lady , Her compositions have been brought out by Dr.Hemalatha Ravi Ayyar , in memory of her parents and is being distributed free of cost..

1.Thokai Viritha mayil Arugil- Sashti Kruthi-Pazhani

Thankam Viswanathan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Mohanam

Thalam Aadhi

Dhyanam

Shadananam, chandana lepithangam,
Mahorasam, divya mayoora vahanam,
Rudrasya soonum, sura loka nadam,
Brahmanya devam, saranam prapadye.

I seek refuge with the god, who is Brahman,
Who has six faces,
Who applies sandal paste,
All over his body.
Who is the great essence,
Who rides on a peacock,
Who is the son of Lord Shiva,
And who is the lord of the heaven.

Pallavi

Thokai viritha mayil arugil .virintha thamarai malaril,

Sivantha padha thandayudan , Karathil veludan nindra,

Kandhane , Guhane , Kumarane , Shanmukhabe

Pallavi

Oh Skanda .Oh Guha , Oh Kumara , Oh Shanmukha,

Who stood near the peacock with open feathers,

On the fully open lotus flower, with his reddish leg

Wearing anklets, and Holding the Vel in his hand

Anupallavi

Viritha jadayil , gangayai daritha Shiva Balane,

Kurathi valliyai manantha Guruparane , Desigane

Anupallavi

Oh son of Shiva who holds on his open tuft , the ganges,

Oh Divine Guru who married Valli, Oh teacher.

Charanam

Kanintha pazhathirkkaga , pazhani malayil amarnthu ,

Thanithirunthu vaazhntha deiva sigamaniye,

Vadaitha soorapadmanai , mayil vaahanamai konda,

Thirumal marugane, aaru mugane, kumarane,

Un thanga padha malaril saranam saranam,

Kadhiresane,Kadhiresane, Kadhiresane , Kadhiresane

Charanam

Sitting on the Pazhani mountain for the sake of a ripe fruit,

Oh head gem like God who lived there alone ,

Oh Nephew of Vishnu who accepted as steed,

In the form of peacock , Sooorapadma whom he killed,

Oh Lad, Oh six faced one, I surrender at your flower like feet ,

Oh God with radiance, Oh God with radiance , Oh God with radiance

Namavali

Vel Vel Muruga , Vethri vel Muruga,

Va Va Muruga , vadivel azhagaa ,

Pazhani malai velava, Bala Kumara,

Pachai mayil Vahana , Bala subrahmanya

Garland of names

Oh MUruga with Vel , Oh Muruga with victorious Vel,

Come come , Oh Muruga , Oh pretty one holding the stick like Vel,

Oh Lord of the Vel of Pazhani mountain , Oh young lad ,

Oh Lord who rides on green peacock , Oh Child Subrahmany.

2.Kumaraa kumara nin -Sashti Kruthi-Pazhamuthir solai(Garden where fruits drop)

Thankam Viswanathan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Karnataka DEva Gaandhari

Thalam Aadhi

Dhyanam

Uma komala hasthaabhyaam ,sambhaavitha lalatakaam,

Hiranya kundalam vandhe , kumaram pushkara srajam.

Dhyanam

I salute That lad with golden ear globes, wearing a garland of blue lotus,

Who has the foreheads from the hands of Goddess Parvathi.

Pallavi

Kumaraa kumara, nin sashti kruthi thuthi pada,

Arul purivai Velava(sola Malai Kumara kumara)

Pallavi

Oh Lad, Oh Lad , For singing a prayer song of six parts ,

Bless me , Oh Lord holding the Vel(Lad, lad of the mountain with garden)

Anupallavi

Muruga, Muruga endru ullam urugi paadinor mun,

Mayil meethileriye varuvai , varuvai velava , velava

Anupallavi

Before those who sing , Oh Muruga, with amelting heart ,

Please come riding on a peacock , please come Oh God with Vel

Charanam

Yanai mukhan sodarane , Aadhi sakthi Balane,

Aaru padai veedamarntha aaru mukha jothiye ,

Manai theda vanthu(Muruga)Valli manai mananthavane,

Un Velai vanangi thanga Thalai paninthisuvom,

Kadhiresane, Kadhiresane, Kadhiresane , Kadhiresane,

Charanam

Oh Brother of God with elephant face , Oh son of primeval Sakthi ,

Oh flame with six heads who sat on Six army camps ,

Oh Muruga who searched for a deer and married Valli who is like a deer.

We would salute your Vel and surrender before your golden feet,

Oh God with radiance, Oh God with radiance, Oh God with radiance

Namavali

Solai malai kumaranukku hara haro hara,

Pazha muthi solai malai velanukku hara haro hara,

Hara haro hara , swami Hara haro hara

Garland of names

To the lad of the garden on the mountain, hara haro hara,

To the lord with the Vel of the mountain with garden where fruits drops, hara haro hara,

Hara haro hara , swami Hara haro hara

3.Varuvaye varuvaye-Sashti kruthi -Swami malai(Mountain of God)

Thankam Viswanathan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Hamsadwani

Thalam Aadhi

Dhyanam

Hey Swaminatha karunakara deena bandho,
Sree Paravatheesa mukha pankaja padma bandho,
Sreesadhi deva gana poojitha pada padma,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham.

Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is the chief of gods, who is merciful,
Who is friend of the oppressed,
Who is the son of the lotus faced lord of goddess Parvathi,
And whose lotus feet is worshipped
By all gods and also by Lord of Goddess Lakshmi.

Pallavi

Varuvaaye , varunaaye, Varuvaaye ,Kumaraa(un),

Sashti kruthi thuthi pada arul purivaaye ,

Arul purivaaye Kumara

Pallavi

Please come, please come , please come oh Lad,

Bless us so that we can sing your song prayer of six parts,

Oh Lad bless us

Anupallavi

Guruvaakave thanthaikku upadesam cheitha,

Gurunadhane . swami malai nadhane kumara

Anupallavi

Oh Lord Guru who taught your own father.

Oh Lord of Swami malai , Oh lad

Charanam

Kayilaya naadhanin nethri kannil uditha,

Kanmaniye, Sempon maniye,

Mayilaada , Velaada (Murukaa) seval kodiyaada,

Kavadikal aada aaru mukhane (un)

Thanga pada malar saranam,, saranam ( Muthu)

Kumaresaner murugesane kadhiresane , kumaaraa

Charanam

Oh Darling who was born from the eye,

On the forehead of Lord of Kailasa, Oh golden gem,

With peacock dancing, with your Vel shaking,

With your flag with a cock waving, With kavadis shaking,

Oh six faced Godm, I surrender , surrender at your golden feet,

Oh God who is a lad, Oh God Muruga, Oh God who is a flame, Oh lad

Namavali

Kumaraa, kumara , Muthu kumara shanmukha,

Kumaraa, kumara , Muthu kumara shanmukha

Velava, Velava , vel muruga, velava,

Velava, Velava , vel muruga, velava

Swami malai vaazhum muthu kumara kumaaraa , Shanumkha

Garland of names

Oh lad, Oh lad ,Oh gem like lad , Oh God with six faces,

Oh lad, Oh lad ,Oh gem like lad , Oh God with six faces

Oh Lord with Vel, Oh Lord with Vel , Oh Muruga with Vel , Oh lord with vel,

Oh Gem like lad who lives on swami malai, Oh Lad. Oh God with six faces.

4.Virintha thamarai malaril –Sashti Kruthi –Thiruchendur –Divine read city

Thankam Viswanathan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Bhairavi

Thalam Aadhi

Dhyanam

Heeradhi rathna vara yuktha kireeda hara,
Keyura kundala lasath kavachabhirama,
Hey Veera tharaka jayaa amara brunda vandhya,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham.

Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who wears crowns and chains with diamonds and gems,
Who wears armlet, ear rings and strong armour,
And who is the valorous one who killed Tharaka,
And was saluted by the groups of devas.

Pallavi

Virintha thamarai malaril sivantha padam vaithu ,

Narthanamaadiya neela mayil vahanaa , neela mayil vahanaa Kumaraa

Pallavi

Oh Lad who rides on a dancing blue peacock,

Who kept his red feet on the fully open lotus flower.

Anupallavi

Malarntha mukhamathil thiru neer aninthu,

Sukantha chandanam vaitha kumkuma varnane

Anupallavi

Oh God who wers divine ash on his joyous face ,

And over it the perfumed sandalwood paste and who is colour of red Kumlum

Charanam

Kala Bhairavi kayyil velinai vaangi,

Sooranai vadaitha veera singane ,

Neela kadal arugil (muruga) kolamudane,

Singara kovil konda,

Thiruchendur Velane,

Un thanga padha malar saranam kumarane ,

Kathiresane, kathiresane, kathiresane kumara

Charanam

Oh valorous lion like lord who received ,

His Vel from goddess Kala Bhairavi ,

Oh THiruchendur Vela who has,

A very pretty temple near the blue sea,

I surrender to your feet which is like a golden flower , Oh Vela,

Oh Lord with radiance, Oh Lord with radiance , Oh Lord with radiance.

Namavali

Neelamayil meethileri aadi vaa vaa va murugaa,

Bala Krishnan marugne aadi va va Kumara,

Peelikavadiyudane aadi vaa vaa Muruga,

Narthanam aadi aadi odi vaa vaa Muruga,

Aadi vaa vaa murugaa aadi vaa vaa,

Odi vaa vaa Muruga odi vaa vaa

Garland of names

Come come dancing and riding on the blue Peacock, Muruga

Oh nephew of Bala Krishna Come come dancing Oh lad,

Along with Kavadi decorated with peacock feather come come dancing Oh Muruga,

Dancing and dancing come running and running Oh Muruga

Come , come dancing Muruga, come , come dancing

Come , come running Muruga, come come running

5,Thamarai malaril -Sashti kruthi Thiruthani

Thankam Viswanathan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam AArabhi

Thalam Aadhi

Dhyanam

Sree karthikeya karunamrutha poorna drushtya,
Kamadhi roga kalushi krutha drushta chitham,
Sikthwa thu mamava kala nidhi koti kantha,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham.

Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is known as Karthikeya , who with his ,
Fully nectar like looks of mercy cures,
Passion, diseases and mind which has made been dirty
Who is the treasure house of arts and
Who shines like billions of suns.

Pallavi

Thamarai malaril komala padham vaithu,

Thandavam aadiya aandavane murugane

Pallavi

Oh Muruga , Oh God who danced on,

The lotus flower with his pretty feet

Anupallavi

Somanai choodiya Shiva Sankaranin Balane,

Shyamala varna kannan thirumal marugane

Anupallavi

Oh son of Shiva sankara who wore the moon,

Oh nephew of Lord Vishnu who is the black coloured Krishna

Charanam

Paal abhishekane, Panneer Abhishekane,

Parimala sukandha chandana abhishekane,

Panchamritha abhishekam (muruga) nenjam kulirnthidum,

Anjaathe yendra arulum thanga padham saranam ,

Kathiresane, kathiresane, Kathiresane, Muruga,

Charanam

Oh Lord anointed with milk, anointed with rose water,

Oh Anointed with sweet smelling sadal paste ,

An anointing with Panchamritha would make your heart cool,

I surrender to the golden feet ,which says , do not be scared,

Oh Lord with radiance, Oh Lord with radiance, Oh divine lad

Namavali

Thanikai malai kumaranukku haraharoohara,

Thiruthanigai malai velanukku haraharo hara,

Hara haro hara swami hara haro hara,

Hara har hara swami hara haro hara,

Haraharohara to the lad on Thiruthani mountain,

Haraharohara to the vela of Thiruthani mountain,

Hara haro hara oh God hara haro hara,

Hara haro hara Oh God hara haro hara.

6.Kalyana kolathil .Sashti Krithi - Thirupara kundram

Thankam Viswanathan

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Kalyani

Thalam Aadhi

Dhyanam

Devadhi deva sutha , deva ganadhi nadha,
Devendra vandhya mrudu pankaja manju pada,
Devarshi narada muneendra sugeetha keerthe,
Valleesa nadha mama dehi karavalambham. 2

Extend a hand of support, Oh Lord of Valli,
Who is the son of God of gods, who is the chief of all gods,
Whose soft lotus like feet is worshipped by Devendra,
And whose fame is sung by deva sage Narada and others.

Pallavi

Kalyana kolathil (thiru) para kundril kakshi tharum,

Kalyani balakane kumarane

Pallavi

Oh lad who is the son of Kalyani,

Who is seen as in marriage ritual in Thirupara kundram,

Anupallavi

Ullasamagave deivayanai valliyudan,

Sallabha vinodha singara velavane

Anupallavi

Oh lovely Velava who istalking sweet nothings ,

In a joyful manner with Devayani and Valli

Charanam(duritham)

Mallika mullai manam kamazhum roja,

CHampakam , javvanthi malai aninthu nirkkum ,

Villali veera mani kandanin sodharane,

Yellorkku arul puriyum (thiru) kalyana murugane,

Thanga padham saranam

Kathiresane, kathiresane , kathiresane, Kathiresane

Lord who stands wearing garlands of jasmine ,

Sweet scented rose , Chrysanthymum and Champaka flowers,

Who is the brother of the great archer valorous Mani Kanda ,

Oh Auspecious muruga who is pleased with all,

I surrender to your golden feet, Oh lord of radiance,

Oh lord of radiance, Oh lord of radiance, Oh lord of radiance

Namavali

Thiruparam giri dheeranukku hara haro hara,

Thirumalin maruganukku hara haro hara,

Pazhani malai velanukku hara haro hara,

Solai malai kumaranukku hara haro hara,

Swami malai nadha muthu kumaranukku hara haro hara,

THiruchendur velanukku hara haro hara,

Thiruthanigai velanukku hara haro hara,

Aaru mukha velanukku hara haro hara,

AAru padai veedu amarntha kandhanukku hara haro hara,

Garland of names

To the courageous lord of Thirupuramgiri hara haro hara,

To the nephew of Lord Vishnu hara haro hara,

To the Vela who lives in Pazhani mountain hara haro hara,

To the Kumara of the garden of the mountain hara haro hara,

To the Muthukumara the lord of Swami malai hara haro hara,

To the Vela of Thiruchendur hara haro hara,

To the Vela of Thiruthani hara haro hara,

To the vela with six faces hara haro hara,

To the Skanda who lives in the aaru padai veedu hara haro hara,

Mangalam

Mangalam, jeya mangalam , Mangalam shubha Mangalam,

AAru muga velanukku jeya mangalam,

AAdhi sakthi balanukku Shubha Mangalam

Aanai mukhan thambikku Jeya mangalam,

Aaru padai veedu amarbtha kandhanukku Mangalam,

Aadhi sesha sayananukku jeya mangalam

Guruvayurappanakku shuvha mangalam,

Anjanai kumaranukku Jeya mangalam,

AAnjaneya veeranukku Shubha Mangakam,

Mangalam, jeya mangalam , Mangalam shubha Mangalam,

Song wishing auspiciousness

Auspeciousness , victorious auspiciousness, Auspiciousness, Charming auspiciousness,

To the vela with six faces victorious auspiciousness,

To the son of Primeval Sakthi charming auspiciousness

To the younger brother of God with elepant face victorious auspiciousness,

To the skanda who lives in six padai Veedu auspeciousnessm

To the Lord who sleeps on Adhi sesha victorious auspiciousness,

To Guruvayurappa charming auspiciousness,

To the son of Anjana devi victorious auspiciousness

To the valorous Anjaneya, charming auspiciousness ,

Auspiciousness , victorious auspiciousness, Auspiciousness, Charming auspiciousness,

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Sri Thyagaraja Sadguru Mangalam

Sri Walajapet Venkatramana Bhagawathar

Translated by

P.R.Ramachander

(Sri Walajapet Venkatramana BHawathar was the chief disciple of Sadguru sri Thyagaraja , He was the one who took down most of the compositions of Thyagaraja and recorded it to the posterity on palm leaves. I got the lyrics of this song in Tamil by the facebook post of my friend Sri Parthasarathy Krishnan Vanamali.My thanks to him

You can hear this prayer sung by Kum.G.Deepthi and Kum N.Vyuha -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZBTO1_ysX4

RAgam – surattii

Talam– Adi

1,Srimath Kakarla vamasabdhi chandraya amala thejase,

Purnaya punya seelaaya Thyagarajaya Mangalam

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja who is the moon from ocean like clan called Kakarala

Who has pure lustre, , Who is complete and who had blessed character

2.Ramabrahhma suputhraaya Rama nama Shukhatmane,

Ramachandra swaroopaaya, THyagarajaya Mangalam.

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja who is the great son of Ramabrahmam,

Who used to get pleasure out of name of Rama, and who has the form of Ramachandra

3,Naradacharya karuna paathraaya adbhutha keerthaye,

Dheeraaya nirvikaaraaya Thyagarajaya mangalam

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja, who due tothe mercy of sage Narada,

Had wonderful fame , who was bold and who was unchangeable

4.Sri Karunya samudhraaya loka anugraha kaarine,

SAkethadhipa bhakthaya, Thyagarajaya Mangalam,

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja who was an ocean of kindness ,

Who was the reason for people getting blessed and who was a devotee of king of Ayodhya.

5.Yogi pungava mithraaya yogaananda swaroopine,

Raga lobha vimukthaaya, Thygarajaya Mangalam,

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja who is a friend of great yogis ,

Who has the form the joy from yoga and who did not have passion or avarice.

6.Gaana Sasthra praveenaaya, kali kalmasha Nasine,

SAranagatha poshaaya THyagarajaya Mangalam

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja, Who was an expert in science of music,

Who destroyed the ills of Kali age andwho encouraged people to surrender.

7.Cauvery theera vaasaaya karunyamrutha varshine ,

Avanisura Rajayam Thyagarajaya Mangalam

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja, who lived in the banks of river Cauvery,

Who rained the nectar of mercy and wasa king among the devas of earth(Brahmins)

8,.Nadha Veda sudhaa pana mathaaya amala murthaye,

Vijitheendraaya lobhaaya Thyagarajaya Mangalam.

Auspiciousness to Thyagaraja, who was intoxicated with the nectar,

Of the Veda of music, who won over sense organs and greed.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Alphabetical index of translations of Some compositions of OOthukadu Venkata Kavi

Alphabetical index of translations Some compositions of OOthukadu Venkata Kavi

Translations

P.R.Ramachander

(I am reproducing some information of this great composer from http://www.venkatakavi.org/ovk/home/life.html with my thanks to them. I am also giving English translation of 99 of his compositions(Only 300 of them have been pulished.).My aim is to make know the meaning of these great Tamil compositions to the non Tamil musicians and Dancing artistes )

“Life

The foremost sources of information about Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi(1700-1765) are his own compositions and surviving members of his brother's family. In Indian culture and specifically the field of Carnatic music, where the history and the source of information have more often than not, been scantily documented, the primary evidence is a composer's body of works. Any external corraborations are a bonus.

Birth and early life: As per available information (from the family tree Oottukkadu Venkat Kavi was born to Subbu Kutti Iyer and Venkamma in Mannargudi, a temple town near Tanjavur in South India, sometime in early 1700s. Later on, they are said to have migrated to Oottukkadu, which was a small neighbouring village. Venkata Kavi lived in a very pious and culturally alive atmosphere. He is considered to have remained a bachelor and lived a very introspective and elevated life meditating upon God and music but his compositions also testify to the fact that he travelled extensively.

Divine influence: In his young days, Venkata Kavi expressed an interest to learn music from Shri Krishna Yogi. However, upon Krishna Yogi's refusal to teach him, his mother advised him to surrender himself to Lord Krshna in the Kalinga Narttana temple at Oottukkadu. Lord Krshna is said to have appeared before him and blessed him with knowledge.

Therefore, it is not surprising to find that Venkata Kavi refers to Lord Krshna as his 'divine preceptor' in many compositions. But some compositions also suggest that he may have had a human pedagogue too. Currently, around 500 compositions of this great composer have been discovered through various sources. Over 300 of these have been published by noted harikatha exponent, Needamangalam Krishnamurthy Bhagavatar (who was a descendant of the poet's brother's family) and others.

Other influences and sources of inspiration: One of the most obvious factors that have made Venkata Kavi's compositions among the greatest in Indian culture are the imprint of great personalities right from Valmiki and Vyasa to Jayadeva on him. His compositions are a testimony to the fact that he has been deeply impacted by the lives, knowledge and exemplary attitude of numerous great devotees including the 12 azhwars, 63 nayanmars and composers such as Purandara Dasa and Tulasi Dasa.

Another powerful influence was the Bhagavata mela tradition that flourished in South India. Oottukkadu, along with Melattur, Shoolamangalam and Shalyamangalam was a major centre for Bhagavata mela. This probably would have motivated him to compose so many operas on various great personalities, as well as the Ramayana, Mahabharata and Bhagavatam. It also explains his mastery over diverse musical forms suited for music, dance, theatre as well as discourses and the emotive appeal and devotional fervor in his pieces.

Maratha presence: Maratha rulers ruled in the Tanjore region around 16th – 17th centuries and they were known to be patrons of art and culture. This might have insipired him to compose a handful of pieces in Marathi and to have employed ragas such as Dvijayavanti, Hameerkalyani and Sindhubhairavi.”

1. AAdi asainthu varugindraan Kannan http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/aadi-asainthu-varugindraan-kannan.html

2. AAdina mattum nee aadadaa http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/aadina-mattum-nee-aadadaa.html

3. Aakka poruthavarukku http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2014/03/aakka-poruthavarukku.html

4. Aasayinai paaradi http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/aasayinai-paaradi.html

5. Adinamattum nee aadadaa http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2014/03/adinamattum-nee-aadadaa.html

6. Adum varai avar adatuum http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2011/10/adum-varai-avar-adatuum.html

7. Amudanukku amudhootum http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2014/03/amudanukku-amudhootum.html

8. Andre naan chonnathu thane http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/andre-naan-chonnathu-thane.html

9. Ariven,Arinthen http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2014/03/ariven-arinthen.html

10. Avaraga Varuvaro http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2014/03/avaraga-varuvaro.html

11. Ayiram thaan Cholladi http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/ayiram-thaan-cholladi.html

13. Chamathu kuttiyadi yengal gopalan http://translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.com/2013/03/chamathu-kuttiyadi-yengal-gopalan.html