Paluke Bangaramayena
పలుకే బంగారమాయెనా
Paluke Bangaramayena is a kirtana by Bhadrachala Ramadasu, the 17th-century devotee of Lord Rama of Bhadrachalam. In it the poet asks Rama, with loving reproach, why even a word of reply has become as rare as gold.
- Written by
- Bhadrachala Ramadasu (died 1688)
- Music
- Bhadrachala Ramadasu
- Raga
- Anandabhairavi
- In the video
- M. Balamuralikrishna
- Context
- Kirtana of Bhadrachala Ramadasu to Lord Rama of Bhadrachalam
- Year
- 17th century
- Language
- Telugu
Paluke Bangaramayena lyrics with English translation
The section markers of the source (ప:, చ 1-5) are omitted; || పలుకే || marks a return to the refrain.
పలుకే బంగారమాయెనా కోదండపాణి || పలుకే ||
Paluke bangaramayena kodandapani || Paluke ||
Has a word from you become gold, O Rama, bearer of the Kodanda bow?
పలుకే బంగారమాయె పిలిచిన పలుకవేమి కలలో నీ నామస్మరణ మరువ చక్కని తండ్రి || పలుకే ||
Paluke bangaramaye pilichina palukavemi Kalalo ni namasmarana maruva chakkani tandri || Paluke ||
Has your word become gold? Why do you not answer when I call? Even in my dreams I never forget to chant your name, my beautiful father.
ఇరువుగ ఇసుకలోన పొరలిన యుడుత భక్తికి కరుణించి బ్రోచితివని నెర నమ్మితిని తండ్రి || పలుకే ||
Iruvuga isukalona poralina yuduta bhaktiki Karunimchi brochitivani nera nammitini tandri || Paluke ||
For the devotion of the squirrel that rolled in the sand close by, you showed mercy and saved it; this I firmly believed, father.
రాతి నాతిగజేసి భూతలమందున ప్ర ఖ్యాతి జెందితివని ప్రీతితో నమ్మితి తండ్రి || పలుకే ||
Rati natigajesi bhutalamanduna pra khyati jenditivani pritito nammiti tandri || Paluke ||
That you turned a stone into a woman and won great fame upon this earth; this I believed with love, father.
ఎంత వేడినను నీకు సుంతైన దయరాదు పంతము చేయ నేనెంతవాడను తండ్రి || పలుకే ||
Enta vedinanu niku suntaina dayaradu Pantamu cheya nenentavadanu tandri || Paluke ||
However much I plead, you show not even a little mercy; who am I to argue stubbornly with you, father?
శరణాగత త్రాణ బిరుదాంకితుడవుగావా కరుణించు భద్రాచల వర రామదాస పోష || పలుకే ||
Saranagata trana birudankitudavugava Karunimchu bhadrachala vara ramadasa posha || Paluke ||
Are you not the one who bears the title of protector of those who seek refuge? Have mercy, noble Lord of Bhadrachala, sustainer of Ramadasa.
Translation: Lyriccs (original translation). Transliteration: Lyriccs.
The story behind Paluke Bangaramayena
Kancherla Gopanna, remembered as Bhadrachala Ramadasu, was a 17th-century revenue official in the Golconda kingdom under the Qutb Shahi ruler Abul Hasan Tana Shah. Tradition holds that he used state revenue to rebuild the Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple at Bhadrachalam on the Godavari, and was imprisoned at Golconda for it for twelve years. Many of his kirtanas, full of pleading and complaint addressed to Rama, are associated with that period of suffering.
The story ends, in the traditional telling, with Rama and Lakshmana appearing before the king to repay the money and win Ramadasu's release. His songs became a foundation of Telugu devotional music and influenced later composers, including Tyagaraja. Paluke Bangaramayena, set in raga Anandabhairavi and Adi tala according to Telugu Wikisource, remains one of the most performed of them.
What Paluke Bangaramayena means
The title line is an affectionate rebuke: "Has your word turned into gold?" The devotee calls again and again, never forgetting Rama's name even in dreams, yet the Lord stays silent, as if each word were too precious to spend.
The stanzas recall Rama's past mercy as evidence: he blessed the little squirrel that rolled in the sand to help build the bridge to Lanka, and he restored Ahalya, who had been turned to stone. If he could show grace to them, why not to Ramadasu? The poet admits he is too small to argue with God, and ends by reminding Rama of his own title, the protector of all who seek refuge. The mix of intimacy, frustration and trust gives the song its emotional force.
Quick facts
- Bhadrachala Ramadasu's given name was Kancherla Gopanna.
- Telugu Wikisource lists the song in raga Anandabhairavi and Adi tala.
- The song refers to the squirrel that helped build Rama's bridge and to Ahalya, freed from a stone.
- Ramadasu is associated with the Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple at Bhadrachalam on the Godavari.