Introduction: The Glory of the Sacred Tirumala Hills
Kattedura Vaikunthamu is a magnificent divine composition of the Telugu saint-poet Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya. The beautiful keertana is sung in captivating Hindola Ragam. Through this soulful song, Annamayya glorifies the unparalleled sacredness of the mystical Tirumala Hills as Bhooloka Vaikuntham i.e. the Heavenly Abode of Sri Maha Vishnu on the Earth.
Through his poetic visualisation, Annamayya portrays the divine nature of Tirumala Hills in every line of this composition and says that every animate and inanimate entity is the divine manifestation.
The song reflects Annamayya's intense devotion of Sri Venkateswara and his vision of Tirumala as the ultimate spiritual destination.
- Composer: Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya
- Deity: Sri Venkateswara Swamy
- Theme: Glory and sacredness of Tirumala Hills
- Ragam: Hindola
- Talam: Adi
- Language: Telugu
- Core Message: Tirumala is the Bhooloka Vaikuntham
Kattedura Vaikunthamu: Telugu Lyrics with English Transliteration and Meaning in English
ఆరోహణం: స గ2 మ1 ద1 ని2 స
అవరోహణం: స ని2 ద1 మ1 గ2 స
Arohana (ascending): Sa Ga2 Ma1 Da1 Ni2 Sa
Avarohana (descending): Sa Ni2 Da1 Ma1 Ga2 Sa
పల్లవి / Pallavi
Telugu Lyrics
కట్టెదుర వైకుంఠము కాణాచైనా కొండ
తెట్టెరాయ మహిమలే తిరుమల కొండా తిరుమల కొండా
English Transliteration
Kattedura Vaikunthamu Kaanachaina Konda
Tetteraaya Mahimale Tirumala Konda Tirumala Konda
Spiritual Meaning: Annamayya proclaims that the Tirumala Hills are that visible to us, are Vaikuntham (the heavenly abode of Sri Maha Vishnu) itself with divine miracles in abundance.
చరణం 1 / Charanam 1
Telugu Lyrics
వేదములే శిలలై వెలసినదీ కొండా
ఏదేశ పుణ్యరాశులే యేరులైనదీ కొండ
గాదిలి బ్రహ్మాది లోకముల కొనల కొండ
శ్రీదేవుడుండేటి శేషాద్రి ఈ కొండ
కట్టెదుర వైకుంఠము ----
English Transliteration
Vedamule Silalai Velasinadee Konda
Yedesa Punya Raasule Yerulainadee Konda
Gaadili Brahmaadi Lokamula Konala Konda
Sreedevudundeti Seshadri ei Konda
Kattedura Vaikunthamu ....
Spiritual Meaning: The sacred Vedas have become the rock formations to for this mountain range. The accummulated spiritual merits (punyam) gathered from all directions are flowing in streams in these mountains.
The peaks of these mountains are spiritual elevated upto Brahmalokam and other heavenly worlds. This sacred Seshadri hill is the prime residence of Sri Srinivasa, the Divine Consort of Goddess Sridevi.
చరణం 2 / Charanam 2
Telugu Lyrics
సర్వ దేవతలు మృగజాతులై చరించే కొండ
నిర్వహించి జలధులే నిట్ట చెరులైన కొండ
పుర్వి తప్పసులే తరువులై నిలచిన కొండ
పూర్వపు టంజనాద్రి పొడవైన ఈ కొండ
కట్టెదుర వైకుంఠము ....
English Transliteration
Sarva Devatalu Mrugajaatulai Charinche Konda
Nirvahinchi Jaladhule Nitta Cherulaina Konda
Purvi Tapassule Taruvulai Nilachina Konda
Poorvapu Tanjanaadri Podavaati ei Konda
Kattedura Vaikunthamu ....
Spiritual Meaning:
The mountains where all the Devatas (heavenly beings) roam in the forests in the form of animals and birds. The mountains where the oceans have managed to exist in pure, sustainable rivers.
The ancient tapasvees (rishis) transformed into trees and stand in silence in these mountains. The vast expanse of the mountain revered as Anjandri since time immemorial.
| Also Read: Lyrics and Meaning of Annamayya Keertana Ksheerabdhi Kanyakaku |
చరణం 3 / Charanam 3
Telugu Lyrics
వరములు కొటారుగా వక్కనించి పెంచే కొండ
వరగు లక్ష్మి కాంతులే శోభనపు కొండ
కురిసి సంపదలెల్ల గుహల నిండిన కొండ
విరివైనదిదివో శ్రీ వేంకటపు కొండ
కట్టెదుర వైకుంఠము......
English Transliteration
Varamulu Kotaruga Vakkaninchi Penche Konda
Varagu Lakshmi Kaantule Sobhanapu Konda
Kurisi Sampadalella Guhala Nindina Konda
Virivainadidivo Sri Venkatapu Konda
Kattedura Vaikunthamu .....
Spiritual Meaning:
The mountains where infinite boons granted by Sri Venkateswara are like strong fortress. The beauty of the mountain shine with the grace of Sri Venkateswara, the beloved of Sri Lakshmi Devi.
The caves of the mountains filled with overflowing spiritual wealth and divine treasures. Here is the immeasurable richness of the mountain of Sri Venkateswara.
Sri Annamacharya: The 15th Century Telugu Saint-Poet
Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, popularly known as Annamayya, is a mystic saint-poet born in 1408 CE in Tallapaka a small village in the then Kadapa district (now Annamayya district) of Andhra Pradesh.
He was born to Narayana Suri and Lakkamamba, in a Telugu Brahmin family that popularised Vaishnavite faith in Andhra Pradesh in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Annamayya spent most of his life in composing 'Keertanas' and 'Padams' on Sri Venkateswara Swamy. He is regarded as 'Telugu Padakavi Pitamaha': the grand old man of Telugu poetry.
He also authored 12 Satakams, Ramayana in the form of Dwipada Sankeertana Lakshnam, Sringara Manjari and Venkatachala Mahatyam. Most of his works are in Telugu and Sanskrit languages.
Annamayya dedicated his life and compositions to Sri Venkateswara Swamy. His compositions are engraved on copper plates and are treasured in Sankeertana Bhandaram - a rock-built cell opposite the Hundi at Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala. And these remained unnoticed for over 400 years.
He is one of the greatest saint-poets of Telugu literature and devotional music. He is widely regarded as the first known composer of Telugu keertanas and is known as the 'Toli Telugu Vaggeyakara' i.e. the first lyricist, composer and singer of the Telugu literature.
Annamayya is one of the earliest known musicians of India to compose more than 32,000 songs known as 'Sankeertanalu'. His songs are a beautiful combination of devotion, philosophy, ethics, and spiritualism. Most of his songs are sung in typical Telugu folk style which continue to be sung and cherished even today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who composed Kattedura Vaikunthamu Kaanachaina Konda?
A. Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, a 15th century Telugu saint poet.
2. On which deity the keertana is composed?
A. Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy.
2. In which musical scale (Ragam) this keertana is mostly sung?
A. Hindolam
3. What is the main theme of the keertana?
A. Glorification of Tirumala Hills as Bhooloka Vaikuntham.
Concluding Note
Kattedura Vaikunthamu is a timeless devotional masterpiece and one of the most frequently performed compositions in Carnatic classical music.
It is one of the most culturally significant Sankeertana that beautifully captures the sanctity of Tirumala. Through his poetic imagery and the melodious notes of Hindolam, Annamayy transforms the physical pilgrimage into a lively celestial paradise.
Listening to this keertana fills the heart with devotion and deepens our connection with Sri Venkateswara.
Om Namo Venkatesaya
ॐ Insights into Hinduism by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula
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