Introduction
Sevimparo Janulala Cheri Mokkaro is one of the best devotional Sankeertana of Annamayya glorifying Sri Venkateswara. Sung in soothing and melodious Hindola Ragam, the song stands out as a magnificent call to devotion and an invitation to the manking to witness and offer prayers to the divine, radiant beauty of Sri Venkateswara: the Supreme Force.
Through his poetic imagery, Annamayya beautifully captures radiant and the enchanting beauty of Sri Venkateswara and inspires us to worship Him with devotion and humility. Annamayya mentions that having His darshan itself a great blessing to us.
| 🎼 Composition: | Sevimparo Janulala Cheri Mokkaro |
| ✍️ Composer: | Tallapaka Annamacharya |
| 🎵 Ragam: | Hindolam |
| 🥁 Talam: | Adi |
| 🕉️ Deity: | Sri Venkateswara and Alamelu Manga |
| 📜 Theme: | Worshiping the majestic, freshly bathed, and fragrantly adorned Lord. |
| 🌸 Key Imagery: | Sri Venkateswara, compared to a black lily. |
పల్లవి / Pallavi
Telugu Lyrics
సేవింపరో జనులాల చేరి మొక్కరో
భావింపనున్నాడిందరి భాగ్యము వలెను
English Transliteration
Sevimparo Janulala Cheri Mokkaro
Bhavimpanunnadindari Bhagyamu Valen
Spiritual Meaning: O! people, reach Tirumala and serve Sri Venkateswara and bow down to Him. Getting the opportunity to have His darshan itself is a fortune and a blessing.
చరణం 1 / Charanam 1
Telugu Lyrics
జలకమాడి ఉన్నాడు సర్వేశ్వరుడు
నిగ్గు గలిగిన (కలిగిన) మంచి నల్ల కలువ వలెను
యెలమి కప్పురపు ఇదే చాటుకున్నవాడు
వేలలేనియట్టి పెద్ద వెండి కొండ వలెను
English Transliteration
Jalakamadi Vunnadu Sarweswarudu
Niggu Galigina Manchi Nalla Kaluva Valenu
Elami Kappurapu Ide Chatukunnavadu
Velaleniyatti Pedda Vendi Konda Valenu
Spiritual Meaning:
When Sri Venkateswara having a sacred swim in the pool, His radiant dark-complexioned divine body ressemble a fully blossomed black-lily in the prisitine water.
A coat of aromatic white coat on His body resembles the majestic and priceless silver mountain (Mt Kailash).
చరణం 2 / Charanam 2
Telugu Lyrics
అందముగా కట్టు పొనుగు అలదు కలున్నవాడు
కందువ ఇంద్రనీలాల గని వలెను
ముందటి వలెనె తా సొమ్ములు నించుకున్నవాడు
పొందిన సంపదలకు పుట్టినిల్లు వలెను
Andamuga Kattu Ponugu Aladu Kalunnavadu
Kanduva Indraneelala Gani Valenu
Mundati Valane Ta Sommulu Ninchu konnavadu
Pondina Sampadalaku Puttinillu Valenu
Spiritual Meaning:
Sri Venkateswara's body is beautifully adorned with the fragrant punugu (civet musk) perfume. His mermerising dark complexion resembles a rich mine of precious blue sapphire (indraneelam.
He stands as the birthplace / source of all the accummulated wealth (from His devotees)
చరణం 3 / Charanam 3
Telugu Lyrics
మించి అలమేలుమంగ మెడగట్టు కొన్నవాడు
మంచి బంగారు తామర పువ్వు వలెను
ఎంచగ్గా శ్రీ వెంకటేశుడిదే కొలువై వున్నవాడు
నించిన దాసుల పలి నిధానము వలెను
Minchi Alamelumanga Medagattu Konnavadu
Manchi Bangaru Tamara Puvvu Valenu
Entaga Sri Venkateshudide Koluvai Unnavadu
Ninchina Dasunaku Pali Nidhanamu Valenu
Spiritual Meaning:
Sri Venkateswara's body is beautifully adorned with the fragrant punugu (civet musk) perfume. His mermerising dark complexion resembles a rich mine of precious blue sapphire (indraneelam.
He stands as the birthplace / source of all the accummulated wealth (from His devotees)
- Sung in melodious Hindola ragam, the Keertana evokes feelings of peace, bhakti, and spiritual surrender.
- Through the keertana, Annamayya beautifully paints the visual form of Sri Venkateswara comparing Him to a black lily.
- Worshiping Sri Venkateswara is not a mere chore, but is an immense "Bhagyam" (good fortune) that grants material as well as spiritual liberation.
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 the Keertana Sevimparo Janulala Cheri Mokkaro?
A. Sri Tallapaka Annamacharya, the famous 15th century Telugu saint-poet.
2. Which deity is praised in this keertana?
A. Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy
3. What is the core message of the song?
A. Worship Sri Venkasteswara Swamy with pure devotion and receive His immense blessings.
Conclusion
"Sevimparo Janulala Cheri Mokkaro" is a devotional masterpiece and an exquisite blend of high poetic imagery and soulful Carnatic music.
Through the poet Annamayya brings the divine presence of Sri Venkateswara Swamy right in front of our eyes. He beautifully protrays of Sri Venkateswara Swamy and makes the listeners to powerfully immerse themselves in pure devotion. He says that His darshan itself is the greatest blessings on us.
ॐ Insights into Hinduism by Sobha Kalyani Chivukula
The keertana continues to inspire generations of devotees with its message of devotion, surrender, and divine grace.
Listen the melodious Keertana