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Chinna Nade - Tyagaraja Kritis (Eng)

Pallavi

cinna nāḍē nā 1ceyi paṭṭitivē
Isn't it that You held my hand even in my child-hood?

Anupallavi

enna rāniyūḍigamu kaikoni
entō 2nannu pālanamu sētunani (cinna)
Accepting my numerous services, isn't it that You held my hand even my child-hood assuring me much that ‘I shall look after'?

Charanam

iṭṭi vēḷa 3viḍanāḍudāmanō
4ēlukondāmaniyeñcināvō teliya
5guṭṭu brōvavē suguṇa vāri nidhi
goppa daivamā tyāgarāja nuta (cinna)
However, at this moment, I do not know what You have decided – whether to abandon or govern me; please protect my honour, O Ocean of virtues! O Excellent Lord! O Lord Praised by this Tyagaraja! isn't it that You held my hand even my child-hood?

Variations

  • 2nannu – ninnu : The words 'pālanu sētunu' (I shall protect) are that of Lord. The word 'entō' is not that of Lord. If the word 'entō' is not there, 'ninnu' could be added to the words of Lord 'ninnu pālanamu sētunu' (I shall protect You) – accordingly, 'ninnu' could be correct. However, as 'entō' is present, it (entō) has to be added to 'nannu'. Therefore, 'ninnu' may not be appropriate. Such problems arise in many Kritis because Sri Tyagaraja mixes direct and indirect speech freely.
  • 4ēlukondāmani – ēlukondumani. It is an 'either – or' situation. 'eñcināvō' is common for both situtations – 'viḍanāḍudāmani eñcināvō – ēlukondāmani eñcināvō'; However, Sri Tyagraja has shortened the first option as 'viḍanāḍudāmanō'. Accordingly, 'ēlukondāmani' is appropriate.

References

  • 3viḍanāḍudāmanō – 'whether to abandon'. In the Kriti 'gāravimpa rādā' – rāga ghaṇṭā, Sri Tyagaraja states 'konna sati rūpameṭlunnā guṇamunna celi celimi vīḍaranna' - 'no matter how the look, of a women gotten in marriage, is, if she is virtuous, one would not leave her companionship'.

Commentary

  • 1ceyi paṭṭitivē - The words 'ceyi paṭṭu', though may mean 'hold hand', it specifically signifies marriage. As seen from all the books, the traditional meaning given to these words in this Kriti seems to be 'hold hand'. Accordingly, it has been adopted here. However, it would be more appropriate to translate the pallavi as 'Isn't it that You married me even in my child-hood?' Accordingly, this Kriti is sung in 'nāyikā' bhāva (kānṭāsakti - 'love of the Lord as that of a wife' - as per definition in the Narada Bhakti Sutras.
  • 5guṭṭu – this word generally means 'secret'. However, there are additional meanings – 'honour', 'reputation', 'public esteem'. In view of the ensuing word 'brōvavē' (protect), 'honour' and similar meanings are appropriate here.