The bell on the dancer's anklet / Siri siri muvva

These are the translated lyrics of the song "Śivapūjaku chigurinchina sirisirimuvvā" from the Telugu film "Swarṇakamalam" (Golden Lotus).  Alternative stanzas of this song are sung by the two principal thespians as a philosophical debate, on what is the very nature and objective of creative performance itself. Should that be a natural flow that seeks the most beautiful gifts in this world? Or should that be a meditative calm that brings one closer to the very heart of consciousness? These philosophical counterpoints on cultural evolution are very beautifully expressed in the immortal lyrics penned by the poet Sirivennela Sītārāmaśāstri, and sung in the melodious  voice of Śrīpati Panḍitārādhyula Bālasubrahmanyam (Bālu) and Pulapāka Suśīla. 

This is impeccably filmed by the genius eye of the director Kāśīnāthuni Viśvanāth, where the principal thespian Bhānupriyā regales the audience with the varied dance styles of India, both classical and folk. The counterpoint to her performance is provided by the thespian Venkatēsh, who sees the dancer through the poet's eye and wonders about what the objective of creativity should be. 

Unfortunately, this scintillating achievement of Indian film is unknown to people beyond the Telugu speaking world. Hopefully, my translation will help bridge the gap, although it is impossible to convey the richness of the beauty present in the lyrics in the Telugu language.  

Siri Siri Muvva (or) The bell on the dancer's anklet

Oh,  you bell on the dancer's anklet that blossomed in worship to Shiva

Oh, you flower that blossomed by the soft dulcet steps of the dancer

Please provide the fragrance of musical accompaniment to the king of mendicants

Please sanctify our lives through the oblation of your dance. 

Oh, you ship of imagination, keep sailing without breaking 

The way will not be shortened if you bow your head to the waves

Oh, you vanquisher of the tempest that threatened you

Wouldn't the sweet lands wished by your soul come forward to wed you?

Oh, you damsel of twilight, for the sake of stars shining on the hood of the west, please don't wed the night

On the theatre of the east, as the danseuse of awakening, please spread the lights that would sparkle this earth

Let your movement be the hearkening welcome of consciousness 

Let the sounds of your plucky heartbeat mould into the perennial sound of Om

As a plant whose very roots became its chains of binding, please don't stop waiting for the right season to arrive

There is a boundless beauty in this earth on all directions

Let the breezes of happiness drive you sailing (Oh, you ship of imagination) 

Let a new song welcome you on each waking day 

As the melodies of the moonlight drift along your side 

The very grace of your nature is born in the moving steps of the feet

The expansion of beauty is the gift of the burning shafts of the sun

As the eye of the sun witnesses the awakening morning light of your performance 

In the heart of the heaven's lake, blossomed the hundred petalled dazzling golden lotus

PS: This post is dedicated to Śrī S.P.Bālasubrahmanyam, who passed away today. It is impossible to recount the service he rendered to Indian culture and especially to the Telugu language. May he inspire many more creative artistes. 

On the philosophical symbolism of the lotus in Indian culture, I wrote an introductory essay that can throw some deeper light on the meaning of the lyrics.