Chalu chalu ni yuktulu

Lyrics

Pallavi

cAlu cAlu nI yuktulu naDavadu sArasAkSa 1zrI kRSNA cAlu-cAlu nI yuktulu naDavadu sArasa-akSa zrI kRSNA Show Details

Enough is enough! Your designs won’t work. O lotus-eyed Sri Krishna!

Anupallavi

zUla dharAdulakarudaina mamu kUDi sukhamanubhavimpavE zrI kRSNA1 (cAlu) zUla-dhara Adulaku arudaina mamu kUDi sukhamu anubhavimpavE zrI kRSNA1 (cAlu) Show Details

Uniting with us, who are rare even for the gods, experience the joy, Sri Krishna.

Charanams

1.

adhara-radanamula kani sokkucu mEmAsiJci vaccitimi budha rakSaka zalya sArathyamonariJci2 boGkEderugamaitimi3 zrI kRSNA adhara-radanamula kani sokkucu mEmu AsiJci vaccitimi budha rakSaka zalya sArathyamu2 onariJci boGkEdi erugamaitimi3 zrI kRSNA Show Details

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.

kaNDa cakkeravaNTi palukulu vini mEmu kAmiJci vaccitimi uNDiyuNDi bAluni gilli mari toTlanUcEderugamaitimi4,5 zrI kRSNA kaNDa-cakkera aNTi palukulu vini mEmu kAmiJci vaccitimi uNDi-uNDi bAluni gilli mari toTlanu UcEdi erugamaitimi4,5 zrI kRSNA Show Details

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.

tyAgarAja nutuDani ati prEmatO6 taruNalu vaccitimi bhOgi zayana mA mATala mIraku buddhizAlivaudu sumI zrI kRSNA (cAlu) tyAgarAja nutuDu-ani ati prEmatO taruNalu vaccitimi bhOgi zayana mA mATala mIraku buddhi-zAlivi audu sumI zrI kRSNA Show Details

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

• ¹zrI kRSNA – zrI kRSNa
• ³boGkEderuga – boGkuTeruga
• ⁵toTlanUcEderuga – toTlayUcanaderuga : toTlanUcEderuga - is appropriate.
• ⁶prEmatO - prEmacE

Commentary

• ²zalya sArathyamu – 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 ‘zalya sArathyamu’. [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).
• ⁴bAluni gilli toTlanUcEdi – 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

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