What else? This is bliss, my dear!

This is bliss, my dear!
What else? This is bliss!
Time does not stop for us.
We live for such a short span,
and it is a sheer magic of a few moments!

You have today for certain,
and tomorrow for you is quite unsure.
It is a waste of time
to think that there is something beyond this world.
Living on those lines of thinking
is a waste of time!
The reward of this life
is drinking the essence of pleasure.

A sensuous beauty—your girl—your love
is in your embrace.
Is there anything beyond the enjoyment
of your relationship with her,
and beyond the song and dance with her?
Believe me, there is nothing!
Is there any ultimate purpose to your pleasures of life?
There is nothing!
Nothing!

This write-up is based on the song “Anandamidenoyi Sakhaa …” from the Telugu movie Panduranga Mahathyam (1957) featuring Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao and B. Saroja Devi. This song was written by Junior Samudrala and set to music by T. V. Raju. The song was rendered by P. Suseela. This movie was directed by Kamalakara Kameswara Rao.The protagonist, Pundareeka, is a non-believer in his youth. This song is a justification for his initial materialistic attitude. He thinks that “It is a waste of time to think that there is something beyond this world!” Later, when adversity strikes at him, he receives God-realization and turns into a believer, and becomes a great devotee!

The invisible God has appeared before me!

God, the invisible, has appeared before me!
He has appeared, and in a moment has gone out of my vision.

Over there, inside the blue sky
appeared your form like a bright light.
With tears of delight,
my eyes got inundated with your sight,
and became blur with your appearance.
I could not see your form to my heart’s content.
Have compassion on me, and appear once before me.

When attractive little Krishna became visible,
entire Brindavanam has gone into ecstasy.
On the waves of river Yamuna,
the ruler of night, the Moon, has sent a flood of smiles.
Devotee Raadha has bathed herself in that joyful moonlight

I turn myself into the divine flower Paarijaatham

by entwining myself with love.
I am aware of my limits,
and do not dream of winning your heart!
I am a mere virgin flower that grew from earthy grass.
I just place myself before your lotus feet.

This write-up is based on the song “Kanaraani Devude Kanipinchinaade …” from the Telugu movie Rangula Raatnam (1966) featuring Vanisree, Anjali Devi, Vijaya Nirmala, and Chandra Mohan. This song was written by Dasarathi and set to music by Saluri Rajeswara Rao. The song was rendered by P.Suseela. This movie was directed by B. N. Reddy. 

Readers of other languages who enjoy the melody in this Telugu film song can also have a glimpse into its meaning. 

I am a normal woman, your woman!

I am not a wooden log nor am I a lifeless twig;
I am not a rock nor am I a small pebble
to remain undisturbed in the face of adversity!
I am an ordinary mortal with all usual feelings and failings!
I am a normal woman, your woman!

I too have a heart of my own,
and I too have my own likings and desires like my fellow humans.
My eyes too have dreams of their own,
and if those dreams are not fulfilled,
to well up in those eyes there are always tears!

You have brought a lamp to me,
you have placed a wick in it,
you have filled it with oil,
and you have lured me that you would light the lamp.
When you do not have any qualms for doing other things,
why do you have doubts to light the lamp?

It would be fine, if you make fun of a human.
But never make fun of the human heart!
Heart gets ruptured when hurt.
It is not possible to make it normal again!

I am not a wooden log nor am I a lifeless twig;
I am not a rock nor am I a small pebble
to remain undisturbed in the face of adversity!
I am an ordinary mortal with all usual feelings and failings!
I am a normal woman, your woman! 

This write-up is based on the song “Maanu Maakunu Kaanu …” from the Telugu movie Mooga Manasulu (1963) featuring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Savitri, and Jamuna. This song was written by Acharya Athreya and set to music by K V Mahadevan. The song was rendered by P Suseela. This movie was directed by Adurthi Subba Rao.

Readers of other languages who enjoy the melody in this Telugu film song can also have a glimpse into its meaning. 

Ode to my sixteen springs!

To my sixteen springs
And all the mischievous feats
That this age does to you and me
A thousand salutations!
And a hundred thousand salutations!


Flourishing like moonlight all over us
And surging ahead like a swelling wave


To those sand dunes that have made beds on this beach
And to those gentle breezes that hum songs
To all those rocks, our dear friends, that offered a hideout for us
To those ripples that have drenched us with their showers of blessings
A thousand salutations!
And a hundred thousand salutations!


To the feet that have walked with me
To my eyes that have filled you within me
To my lips that utter your name to reach me
To my waist that has become slim only to please you
A thousand salutations!
And a hundred thousand salutations!

To those early mornings that woke us up in illusion
To those evenings that we availed time for us
To those who gave birth to us
To all the future times that are in waiting.

This piece of writing is based on the Telugu film song “Padaharellaku …” from Maro Cheritra (1979) featuring Kamal Hasan and Saritha. This song was written by Acharya Athreya and set to music by M.S.Viswanathan. The song was rendered by S. Jaanaki. This movie was directed by K. Balachander.


Readers of other languages who enjoy the melody in this Telugu film song can also have a glimpse into its meaning.

What is the caste of the wafting breeze?

What is the caste of the wafting breeze?

What is the caste of the earth that we stand on?

What is the hideout of the sky?

What is the base of the sky?

What is the residing place of the light?

White is the only colour for milk.

Do words “ours” and “theirs” are proper even for merit?

Why are heroes discriminated by their caste?

Does not that difference of religion cuts open their hearts?

It is fame that finally remains in the world.

It does not fall to pieces even after ages.

The Devine certainly resides in you.

Your righteousness certainly walks in step with you.

 Karna is undoubtedly one of the greatest heroes of the epic Mahabharatha. When he is discriminated for his sootha caste, his wife Subhangi reflects on the issue of social groups. This piece of writing is based on the Telugu film song “Gaaliki Kulamedi …” from Karna (1963) featuring Sivaji Ganeshan, Devika and Savithri. This song was written by Dr. C. Narayana Reddy and set to music on raag pahaad by M.S.Viswananthan-Rama Muthy duo. The song was rendered by P.Suseela. This movie was directed by B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu.

Readers of other languages who enjoy the melody in this Telugu film song can also have a glimpse into its meaning.

The splendour that I did not find yesterday

The splendour that I did not find yesterday
Has awakened in me this morning, I know not why?
An unknown raaga is being played within me.
I know not why?
The strains of the string are heard within me.
I know not why?

Every tree that has flowered looks like a new bride.
I find wine oozing from every flower.
Where have all these shades of beauty hidden so far?

With white swirls in water becoming smiles,
And waterfalls reaching me inducing a great thrill,
I hear the collective symphony created by invisible and moving veenas.

With the golden border of her robe slipping a little down,
I see a young girl in the form of a cloud moving ahead.
She got enthralled with the touch of sun shine.

This piece of writing is based on the Telugu film song “Ninnaleni Andamedo…" from Pooja Phalam (1964) featuring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jamuna and Savithri. This song was written by Dr. C.Narayana Reddy and set to music by Saluru Rajeswara Rao. The song was rendered by Ghantasala. This movie was directed by B.N.Reddy.

Like the deity residing in a temple.

Like the deity residing in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple,

The lady of the house, the homemaker—

The wife is the real light of life in this world.

She is a passionate veena while amusing her husband, her lord.

The rain of smiles she showers brings nourishment to life.

Rain or shine, pain or pleasure, she offers a shoulder to lean on.

She can even outdo even one’s mother in offering loving care.

Is not one’s wife, for a man, the very symbol of romance?

Parents-in-law being content with her devoted service,

Caring generously for the needs of one and all like a wish-fulfilling tree,

Bringing up her son and moulding him as a great hero,

It is one’s wife, the goddess, who turns her home into Heaven.

God has created her to play His role in this world.

This piece of writing is based on the Telugu film song “Aalayana Velasina …” from Devata (1965) featuring N.T.Rama Rao and Savithri. This song was written by Veeturi and set to music by S.P.Kodandapani. The song was rendered by Ghantasala. This movie was directed by K. Hemambaradara Rao. Readers of other languages who enjoy the melody in this Telugu film song can also have a glimpse into its meaning.