Another Srungara padam from Annamacarya, describing the love of Alamelu Manga and Sri Venkateswara.

Background: Alamelu Manga has just come out of the bedroom, early in the morning. Her sakhis are whispering to each other about her looks and demeanor, making guesses at what went on in the bedroom. Read on.

aemoko ciguru Tadharamuna eDaneDa kastoori ninDenu
bhaamini vibhunaku vraasina patrika kaadukadaa

kaliki cakoeraakshiki kaDa kannulu kempai toecina
celuva mippuDidaemoe cintimpare celulu
naluvuna praaNaeSvarupai naaTina yaa konacoopulu
niluvuna perukaga nanTina netturu kaadugadaa

paDatiki janugava merugulu paipayyeda velupala
kaDu mincina vidhamaemoe kanugonare celulu
uDugani vaeDukatoe vibhuDottina nakhaSaSiraekhalu
veDalaga vaesavi kaalapu vennela kaadugadaa

muddiya jekkula kelakula mutyapu jallula
oddika laagu livaemo oohincare celulu
gaddari tiruvaenkaTapati kaamini vadanaambujamuna
addina suratapu jemaTala andamu kaadugadaa


A rendition in English
Why indeed, her tender lip is fully smeared with dark musk
Is it, perchance, a love letter written by the lady to her lord? (1)

Sweet lady, with eyes of a cakoera bird, the edges of her eyes turned rubies,
what beauty is this, Dear friends, ponder it over!
Those sharp looks planted yearningly on her dearly-loved lord
Is it, perchance, blood spouting when they were hastily wrenched away?

The brilliance of our young lady's breasts, beyond her upper garment,
Shines through prodigiously, dear friends, look into this wonder!
With unceasing passion, the nail moons her lord made
have full-grown; is it, perchance, the dazzling summer moonlight?

Both the sides of our darling lady's face seem drenched in pearly rain
What beauty is this, dear friends, make a guess!
Is it, perchance, the beauty of lovemaking sweat impressed by
The adroit Lord Venkateswara on the beloved's lotus face

Notes:
1) Venkateswara is fond of adorning his chest with dark musk (kasturi). Now, in the morning, that musk is smeared all over the heroine's lips; the friends are wondering if this is a letter she wrote to her lord. What letter she wrote, with what, on what ? Make your guesses;-)

Right off the bat, Annamacarya hits a home run with his imagination in this refrain. We had a huge discussion on another forum on just what this one line meant. I always admired Jayadeva (of Gita Govindam - ashtapadi fame) for his delicate treatment of love lyrics, especially in those dealing with physical love. In this Padam, Annamacarya rises head and shoulders above Jayadeva or any other poet who ever wrote such lyrics.

I was tempted to write a lengthy explanation for this padam. Upon due consideration, I felt that it will be more fun if the readers can discover the hidden beauties in this padam for themselves. Therefore, I am leaving it as an exercise to the readers to unearth the multitude of similes, metaphors and other treasures - post your discoveries here:-)

This was one of Annamacarya's original padams used in the film "annamayya", starring Nagarjuna in the title role. I didn't like much of the film, but I was impressed with the picturisation of this song. I believe this Telugu film is also available in Tamil dubbed version. Check it out.