Chutamu rare yi vedkanu - Tyagaraja Kritis (Eng)

Pallavi

cūtāmu rārē yī vēḍkanu1 sudatulāra nēḍu cūtāmu rārē ī vēḍkanu1 sudatulāra nēḍu

[Celestial damsels to each other] Ones with beautiful teeth! Let us go watch this spectacle today.

Anupallavi

puruhūtādula-karudaina2 yōḍalō yuvatulella3 harini kūḍi yāḍedaru puruhūta2 ādulaku arudaina ōḍalō yuvatulu ella3 harini kūḍi āḍedaru

Even for Indra and others, this is an uncommon thing: In the boat, together with Hari, the girls are dancing!

Charanams

1.

okarikokaru gandhamu-naladedaru okarikokaru tilakamu diddedaru okarikokaru viḍemu-losagedaru okarikokaru hāramu vēsedaru okariki-okaru gandhamunu aladedaru okarikokaru tilakamu diddedaru okarikokaru viḍemulu osagedaru okarikokaru hāramu vēsedaru

On each other, they are smearing sandal paste; For each other, they are correcting their forehead-marks, To each other, they are offering betel leaves with arecanuts; And, each other, they are adorning with garlands!

2.

okarikokaru valuvalu kaṭṭedaru okarikokaru ravikelu toḍigedaru3 okarinokaru kaugiṭa kūrcedaru okarikokaru tamalō sokkedaru okarikokaru valuvalu kaṭṭedaru okarikokaru ravikelu toḍigedaru okarini-okaru kaugiṭa-kūrcedaru okarikokaru tamalō sokkedaru

They are tying garments to one another; they are putting on blouses to one another; they are embracing one another; they are enamoured by one another.

3.

okarikokaru pāṭalu pāḍedaru okarikokaru sarasamu-lāḍedaru okarinokaru hariyani cūcedaru okarinokaru kānaka bhramasedaru (cūtāmu) okarikokaru pāṭalu pāḍedaru okarikokaru sarasamulu-āḍedaru okarinokaru hari ani cūcedaru okarinokaru kānaka bhramasedaru (cūtāmu)

They are singing songs to one another; they are merry-making with one another; they are beholding one another as Hari Himself; then they are bewildered not perceiving one another.

Variations

• ²puruhūtādula – the word ‘puru’ is given in brackets in some books.
• ²puruhūtādulakarudainayōḍalō – puruhūtādulakarudaina ī ōḍalō.
• ³yuvatulella – yuvidalella : yuvidulella - does not seem to be appropriate.

Commentary

• This Kriti is 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. As the Gopis are enamoured by each other to be Lord hari Himself, the celestial damsels come to watch the spectacle).
• General – this is the only kRti where Sri Tyagaraja has not signed with his mudra.
• ¹vēḍka or vēḍuka is cognate with the Tamil vēḍikkai.
• ³toḍigedaru – There are two similar words in Telugu – toḍuku – to seize, snatch, bite etc; toḍugu – to put on or wear. Though both words seem to fit in the context, in view of the previous line ‘valuvalu kaṭṭedaru’, the meaning ‘put on’ has been adopted; the alternative meaning is also given.

Renditions

Nauka Charitram (Drama) of Tyagaraja

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