Today's Beautiful Gem: A Tyaagaraaja kriti, translated by me.

            Even though film music based on classical music is becoming an
endangered species, once in a blue moon we DO listen to such songs. The
raaga hindOlam (maalkaus in Hindustani music) is aptly suited for such light
music. This raaga has only five notes (sa ma ga da ni sa; ma repeated twice).
One of the most famous songs in hindOlam is saamajavara gamana (well
popularised by the Telugu film shankaraabharaNamu). I personally feel that
the sangIta in this song excels the sAhitya.

"saamaja vara-gamana! saadhu-hR^it-
saarasa+abja! kaala+atiita vikhyaata!
saamaja vara-gamana!

"O Lord of magnificent elephant-like movements!
you are indeed the sun that makes
the lotus in the maanasa-lake of seers bloom,
and you are beyond the dimension of Time.

"saama nigamaja sudhaamaya-gaana-vichakshhaNa
guNasiila! dayaalavaala! maaM paalaya
saamaja vara-gamana!

"Discriminator of the nectar-like music
arising out of the saama veda,
Source of compassion, help me!
O Lord of magnificent elephant-like movements!

"vEdashirO-maatR^ija-sapta-svara-
naada+achala-diipa! sviikR^ita-
yaadavakula! muralinaadavinOda!
mOhanakara! tyaagaraajava.ndaniiya!
saamaja vara-gamana!"

"Light-house on the top of the music-hill
of seven notes born out of Omkaara,
which is the essence of all vedas!
Crown-jewel of the yaadava race!
Playful artiste of the flute!
Handsome Lord, praised by the bard!
O Lord of magnificent elephant-like movements!"

Om shaantiH Peace! - J. K. Mohana Rao

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