*Aliveni enthu cheyvu, hantha njanini maanini
nalina mizhi shree padmanaabhan iha vannillallo...* (A Maharaja Swathi Thirunnaal Padam.)
Like most of the other padams written during that era (of Devdasi system), this one also, is throughout the lyrical and the instrumental sway, trying to express the love of the protagonist (danseuse) towards her lover (referred to herein as Shree Padmanaabhan { Lord Vishnu}).
She is young. She is vibrant. She is full of love. And, she is hopeful...
In the lyrics of this padam, the danseuse, is referring to her friend as *Aliveni* (beautiful lady with long hair), and is fondly inquiring the reason as to why He (Lord Vishnu) hasn't come back yet to be with her. She says, *Oh thee lady with beautiful hair, what shall I do now???*
The whole padam speaks of anticipation... The yearning of the protagonist for her lover...
This is one padam thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. It has got the expressions of the danseuse in a subtle manner, through the music as well as the lyrics... The youthfulness in the lyrics, in the anticipation, in the expressions and movements of the danseuse is beautiful.
Like most of the other padams in Mohiniyattam, this one is no exception... What starts in anticipation and longing, ends in the same...
I had the privilege of performing this particular padam at various stages in Delhi... And the best performance was the one I performed for my grandma in Kerala. Choreographed by my Guru, Smt. Kalamandalam Radha Marar, this padam is very dear to me. This was the first padam I learnt in Mohiniyattam.
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ReplyDeleteabha aka devutti enna aliveni....gollam :) :)
ReplyDeleteHi dear..innovative attempt..all d best..:)
ReplyDeleteCould you please post the translation for this beautiful composition? I can understand bits and pieces but haven't been able to get the complete meaning - and it sounds too beautiful to be enjoyed in ignorance :-)
ReplyDeleteAbha,
ReplyDeleteI'm trained in Carnatic, but don't know Malayalam. As you know, most Carnaic songs are in chaste Telugu and I don't know Telugu either. This was one of the songs that I was never taught by my master. He always explained the meaning of the song before teaching it to me.
I had been trying to understand the meaning of this song for a long time. Could you please post that complete lyrics and and translation?
Cheers!
Krishnan
Krishnan, here's how I have translated it - based on Abha's blog, the Swati Thirunal website and a sanskrit dictionary. I'm not trained in either music, dance or sanskrit, so there may be errors in my translation and I'll be happy to correct them if someone can point it out...
DeleteAlivenee enthu cheyvoo....hantha njaanini maanini
Oh friend (described as having beautiful hair (aliveni), as being very knowledgeable (hantha njanini) and a proud woman (maanini)) what do I do?
nalinamizhee sreepathmanaabhan iha vanneelallo
The lotus eyed Shree Padmanabha Swamy has not come here!
induyuthayaam nishayum indindiraadiravavum
The moonlit night, the humming of bees
mandamaaruthanum chaaru malayajaalepanaavum
the gentle breeze, the sweet scent of sandalwood paste
kundajaathi sumangalum komalaangee sakhee
butterflies and all other pleasing things in this world, oh friend with a tender body;
lokasundaran varaanjaalaye.....sundaran varaanjaalaye...
if the Lord (described as the most handsome/admired man in all the 3 worlds) does not come
cholka kim me prayojanam...
pray tell, of what use are these to me…
Oh my god. Words give so much meaning to this. I'm truly enlightened. Until now only the song had impressed me. But now the words are much more melodious.
DeleteAbha, thanks a ton for this post. It's a beautiful song and you seem to have captured its essence and sentiment in a sublime way. In my obsession to find its full meaning, your blog was one of only two sources that offered help. Thanks again. May the Lord shower his blessings on you...
ReplyDeleteincredibly curious.. how does it end? please answer.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for the blog and a few comments from where I could understand the meaninhg... a very beautiful and soothing padham
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ReplyDelete