Listen to the Padyam with meaning and analysis in the link above
Chatu Padyam
Thalachitine Gananadhuni - Thalachitine Vighnapatini
Thalachinapaniga
Thalachitine Herambuni - Thalachiti naa vighnamulanu
Tholaginchutakun
Atukulu kobbari palukulu - chitibellam naanubraalu c
herukurasambun
Nitalakshu nagrasuthunaku - patutharamuga vindu chesi
prardhinthu madin
Padyam - Telugu Language's poetry structure
'The beauty of a language blossoms in its poetry'.
Padyam is one of the practices of poetry in Telugu Language. It is one of the forms of literature that enjoys a mass appeal. Padyam has entertained the Kings as well as the laymen equally.
Padyam is one of the practices of poetry in Telugu Language. It is one of the forms of literature that enjoys a mass appeal. Padyam has entertained the Kings as well as the laymen equally.
There are several varieties of Padyam that are practiced even today. The grammar and the usage of the words enhance the 'rasam' of the expression the poet wishes to convey.
Telugu poets are also known to have spun Padyams spontaneously - and they are called 'Aasu' padyalu, Chaatuvulu, etc
The power of poetry
A poet speaks the language of the heart. I feel that the society expresses itself through the poets and their poetry. As Gurram Jashuva garu mentions in his poem 'Raju Kavi', the poet lives on in the hearts of the people.
A poet speaks the language of the heart. I feel that the society expresses itself through the poets and their poetry. As Gurram Jashuva garu mentions in his poem 'Raju Kavi', the poet lives on in the hearts of the people.
About this padyam
This is one such padyam - no one remembers who the poet is, but it has been with Telugu people for generations.
This is an example of 'Chatuvu'. The hero of this Padyam is Lord Ganesha.
Meaning of this Padyam
In Hindu tradition Lord Ganesha is called 'Aadi Pujya' meaning the one who is worshipped before everything and everyone. Even on Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaviti, before starting the vratam of Lord Ganesha himself, we worship 'Pasupu Ganesha' the turmeric Ganesha prepared with our own hands just like how first time he was made by Parvati Devi and seek the blessings from him for an uninterrupted session of vratam. This padyam is the essence of this whole intention.
The padyam also lists all the food to be offerd to please Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva's (nitalaksha meaning the one with the third eye which is vertical) elder son.
Offering food/Naivedyam and the tradition explained
'Naivedyam' is a very important aspect of Hindu Tradition of worship. Every Deity has their own favourite food items mentioned in the scriptures, and even the recipes are handed down through the stories and legacies.
These food items when scientifically analysed have health secrets and certain energy factors which eventually benefit the people who take them as 'Prasadam' - the offering called 'Naivedyam' becomes 'Prasadam' called the blessed food once the deity accepts it.
For example...
Vadapappu Panakam (soaked Moongdal Jaggery soaked water)
Meaning of this Padyam
In Hindu tradition Lord Ganesha is called 'Aadi Pujya' meaning the one who is worshipped before everything and everyone. Even on Ganesh Chaturthi/Vinayaka Chaviti, before starting the vratam of Lord Ganesha himself, we worship 'Pasupu Ganesha' the turmeric Ganesha prepared with our own hands just like how first time he was made by Parvati Devi and seek the blessings from him for an uninterrupted session of vratam. This padyam is the essence of this whole intention.
The padyam also lists all the food to be offerd to please Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva's (nitalaksha meaning the one with the third eye which is vertical) elder son.
Offering food/Naivedyam and the tradition explained
'Naivedyam' is a very important aspect of Hindu Tradition of worship. Every Deity has their own favourite food items mentioned in the scriptures, and even the recipes are handed down through the stories and legacies.
These food items when scientifically analysed have health secrets and certain energy factors which eventually benefit the people who take them as 'Prasadam' - the offering called 'Naivedyam' becomes 'Prasadam' called the blessed food once the deity accepts it.
For example...
Vadapappu Panakam (soaked Moongdal Jaggery soaked water)
Image courtesy - pinterest.com
This is a special Naivedyam offered on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami. The scientific reason is that this festival comes during the peak summer season in India. The soaked moongdal and jaggery water are natural coolants and protect the body from sun strokes and over heat.
Chimmiri Laddu - Nagula Chaviti special - which is prepared with Nuvvulu and bellam (sesame and jaggery) - This festival is observed during winter season. The Nuvvulu create necessary heat in the body to combat the cold weather and related issues.
Image courtesy - youtube.com
Ganesha's favourite menu mentioned in the Padyam
The poet listed Ganesha's favourite food items in the Padyam.
Atukulu - Puffed Rice/poha,
Kobbari Palukulu - Coconut pieces
Chitibellamu - jaggery
naanubraalu - rice soaked and powdered, steamed (Undrallu recipe)
cherukurasam - sugarcane juice
The Ganesh Vrata mandapam is decorated with 'Palavelli' with the fresh seasonal produce.
Image courtesy - twitter.com
These are natural raw foods, now when it comes to cooked items, his all time favourites are Kudumulu and Undrallu, both are steamed food and very light on stomach.
image courtesy - indianhealthyrecipes.net
Kudumulu are momos but sweet - with grated coconut and jaggery stuffing.
Image courtesy - cookingfromheart.com
Undrallu are steamed rice balls.
One yummy padyam
This chatu padyam 'thalachitine Gananadhuni' also reminds me of a Thyagaraja Kriti - 'Sri Ganapathini Sevimparaare'.
In the 2nd stanza of this composition, Thyagaraja swamy says
This is a special Naivedyam offered on the occasion of Sri Rama Navami. The scientific reason is that this festival comes during the peak summer season in India. The soaked moongdal and jaggery water are natural coolants and protect the body from sun strokes and over heat.
Chimmiri Laddu - Nagula Chaviti special - which is prepared with Nuvvulu and bellam (sesame and jaggery) - This festival is observed during winter season. The Nuvvulu create necessary heat in the body to combat the cold weather and related issues.
Image courtesy - youtube.com
Ganesha's favourite menu mentioned in the Padyam
The poet listed Ganesha's favourite food items in the Padyam.
Atukulu - Puffed Rice/poha,
Kobbari Palukulu - Coconut pieces
Chitibellamu - jaggery
naanubraalu - rice soaked and powdered, steamed (Undrallu recipe)
cherukurasam - sugarcane juice
The Ganesh Vrata mandapam is decorated with 'Palavelli' with the fresh seasonal produce.
Image courtesy - twitter.com
These are natural raw foods, now when it comes to cooked items, his all time favourites are Kudumulu and Undrallu, both are steamed food and very light on stomach.
image courtesy - indianhealthyrecipes.net
Kudumulu are momos but sweet - with grated coconut and jaggery stuffing.
Image courtesy - cookingfromheart.com
Undrallu are steamed rice balls.
One yummy padyam
This chatu padyam 'thalachitine Gananadhuni' also reminds me of a Thyagaraja Kriti - 'Sri Ganapathini Sevimparaare'.
In the 2nd stanza of this composition, Thyagaraja swamy says
"panasa nArikEL(A)di jambU phalamul(A)raginci
ghana tarambuganu mahipai padamulu ghallu ghallana(n)unci"
Panasa - Jackfruit
Narikela - Coconut
(jambu phalamulu - big, huge fruits, although there is something called a green apple kind of fruit which is also called jambu phalam but in this context, Thyagaraja swamy mentions big, large fruits like jackfruit and coconut - Lord Ganesha is a foodie!)
This padyam is not just a prayer but also a reflection of the whole spirit of Lord Ganesha - fun, food, joy and happiness.
Padyam and music
The beauty of Padyam enhances when its sung in a particular tune. When I came across this padyam, I immediately thought of 'Hamsadhvani' ragam. Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar composed a very beautiful composition on Lord Ganesha 'Vathapi Ganapathim Bhaje'.
Hamsadhvani was founded by Muthuswamy Dikshitar's father Ramaswamy Deekshitulu. This ragam just like 'Naata' is one of the 'Aadi Ragams' meaning they are chosen to be performed first in the concerts. And because Ganesha is aadi pujya, this ragam sits perfectly to tune this padyam written on Him.
I also made a small 'swarakshara' prayogam in the line 'thalachina - pa ni ga' - the paniga word is exactly the swarams pa, ni and hecchu sthayi ga of Hamsadhvani ragam.
I produced an album called 'Prati Telugu Bujjayi nervavalasina 15 Telugu Padyalu' - a collection of 15 must learn Telugu Padyalu for every Telugu Kid. And this is the first one in the album. The album's pattern is Learn (where i sing and the kids repeat), Sing Along (my voice and kids sing along while listening) and Karaoke (I played the tune of the padyam on the keyboard so that the kids can sing for their performances using this as background).
The Padyam is now part of 'PADYABALASIKSHA' a series on our youtube channel Sa Pa Sa webseries where I have been creating videos of Telugu Padyalu for kids to see, enjoy and learn easily.
And thats all for now, Until next time, may Ganesha bless us all with joy and laughter and of course with loads of yummy food too!
Sushma Nittala
for SA PA SA
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