Ads 468x60px

Chalu chalu ni yuktulu - Tyagaraja Kritis (Eng)

Pallavi

cālu cālu nī yuktulu naḍavadu
sārasākṣa 1śrī kṛṣṇā
Enough is enough! Your designs won’t work.
O lotus-eyed Sri Krishna!

Anupallavi

śūla dharādulakarudaina mamu kūḍi
sukhamanubhavimpavē śrī kṛṣṇā1 (cālu)
Uniting with us, who are rare even for the gods,
experience the joy, Sri Krishna.

Charanams

1.
adhara-radanamula kani sokkucu
mēmāsiñci vaccitimi
budha rakṣaka śalya sārathyamonariñci2
boṅkēderugamaitimi3 śrī kṛṣṇā
Enamoured on beholding Your lips and teeth,
we came with longing.
O Protector of the wise! We were not aware of
Your indulging in guiles by enacting 'charioteering of King Salya'.
2.
kaṇḍa cakkeravaṇṭi palukulu vini
mēmu kāmiñci vaccitimi
uṇḍiyuṇḍi bāluni gilli mari
toṭlanūcēderugamaitimi4,5 śrī kṛṣṇā
Having heard Your sugar-candy-like words
we came craving;
We were not aware of Your double-dealing
(whimsically pinching the baby and then rocking the cradle to pacify it).
3.
tyāgarāja nutuḍani ati prēmatō6
taruṇalu vaccitimi
bhōgi śayana mā māṭala mīraku
buddhiśālivaudu sumī śrī kṛṣṇā (cālu)
You being the one praised by Thyagaraja,
we damsels came with much love;
One reclining on Sesha! Don't transgress our words;
You are intelligent, ain’t You, Sri Krishna?

Variations

  • 1śrī kṛṣṇā – śrī kṛṣṇa
  • 3boṅkēderuga – boṅkuṭeruga
  • 5toṭlanūcēderuga – toṭlayūcanaderuga : toṭlanūcēderuga - is appropriate.
  • 6prēmatō - prēmacē

Commentary

  • 2śalya sārathyamu – This refers to the War of Mahabharata. King Salya is the brother of Madri (Kunti and Madri are wives of king Pandu) – therefore, maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva. Before the war, Salya came to join the side of Pandavas, but was tricked by the Kauravas to join them – Mahabharata – Book 5 – Udyog Parva – Section 8 [Udyog Parva]; King Salya, in turn, as the charioteer of Karna, ditched him (Karna) in the thick of the battle leading to the slaying of Karna by Arjuna. This betrayal is referred here as ‘śalya sārathyamu’. [Salya Parva]
  • This Kriti forms part of the dance-drama ‘Nauka Charitram’ – The Boat Story . - Background - The Gopis meet Krishna at the Yamuna river and contemplate travel in a boat. Krishna says that it is not within the capacity of the women to steer boat and says he will do the job; however, the Gopis do not believe Him and think that He is upto some trick. After Lord convinces them, they all travel in the boat. Krishna sports with each of the Gopi individually (taking so many forms). Gopis wonder as to what penances did they perform in order to enjoy like this with the Lord. As Krishna exhorts them to row the boat in the Westerly direction, Gopis think that this is another ruse of Krishna and they tell their minds to him in this Kriti).
  • 4bāluni gilli toṭlanūcēdi – this is a famous usage in Tamizh and Telugu to indicate double dealing – to make the child cry and then pacify it.

Renditions

Nauka Charitram (Drama) of Tyagaraja
  1. Sringarinchukoni (Surati): Gopis meet Krishna
  2. Chudare chelulara (Kamavardhani): They arrive at the banks of the Yamuna
  3. Adavaramella (Yadukulakambhoji): The Gopis indecisively contemplate a boat ride with Krishna. He urges them to get going.
  4. Emani nera nammukondumu (Saurashtram): Gopis suspect some mischief from Krishna
  5. Ememo teliyaka (Saurashtram): Krishna is offended; recounts his exploits
  6. Odanu jaripe (Saranga): The boat ride begins
  7. Tanayande premayanucu (Bhairavi): Krishna assumes multiple forms and sports with the Gopis
  8. E nomu nochitimo (Punnagavarali): The Gopis marvel at their luck for enjoying Krishna's company
  9. Chalu chalu ni yuktulu (Saveri): Gopis berate Krishna (for suggesting a westward course)
  10. Chutamu rare yi vedkanu (Karnataka Kapi): The celestials themselves gather to watch the spectacle
  11. Evaru manaku (Devagandhari): Gopis gloat about their hold over Krishna
  12. Unna tavuna (Ghanta): The tempest; the boat springs a leak
  13. Allakallola mayenamma (Saurashtram): The Gopis pray to Yamuna Devi
  14. Perugu palu (Ghanta): The Gopis lament their state
  15. Krishna makemi dova (Punnagavarali): The Gopis try plugging the leak with their blouses; the blouses are washed away.
  16. Indukemi (Varali): Krishna advises them to try again, this time using their sarees; Gopis protest
  17. Veda vakyamani (Mohanam): Gopis give in, placing complete faith in Krishna
  18. Hari hari niyokka (Punnagavarali): Gopis surrender to Krishna
  19. Gandhamu puyyaruga (Punnagavarali): Disaster averted, the Gopis celebrate
  20. Ghuma ghuma ghumayani (Saurashtram): Gopis are in procession with Krishna on the way home
  21. Ma kulamunaku (Surati): Gopis thank and hail Krishna