Telugu Songs for Abhinaya

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Prof. Salva Krishnamurthy, a revered teacher occupies a pride of place in the field of Telugu literature for his mastery over literary theory and criticism. He is one of the finest exponents of Sanskrit poetics and aesthetics and his critical commentary, almost word to word prepares the reader to explore the rich text further, on his own, to enhance the sensibility of literary appreciation. The kind of language command and intuitive facility both in English and Telugu Such as of Prof. Salva's is almost a rarity in most other modern scholars.

Telugu Songs for Abhinaya by Prof. Salva Krishna Murthy is singular in many respects. This volume which goes with the Telugu original, Roman transcription of the song, word for word and line for line meaning, poetic parapharase and finally etymological study and aesthetic appreciation stands out as a Source book replete with resources of Prof. Salva, the scholar. It is also a handbook for all performing artistes of song and dance both Indian and foreign.

This volume contains some sixty classical songs for abhinaya. Ten sankirtans from Annamacarya’s compositions, twentynine from Ksétrayya, sixteen from Sarangapani, one from Sabhapatayya, and four of unknown authorship are given. Each song is provided with (1) introduction in English followed by (2) text of the song in Telugu in Roman script along with (3) word by word meaning (4) line by line meaning, (5) paraphrase wherever necessary and (6) special notes for important items.

Each song is provided with its (1) méla samkhya (2) mélakarta raga (3) the raga in which to sing and its (4) tala as also (5) the arOhana and avarohana svaras.

This extensive format is adopted to be of real help to the non-Telugu performing artists and students of dance. It can be of some help even to the Telugu artists and students of dance in understanding the song for clear interpretation.

A simple exposition of different types of Nayikas and Nayakas with their technical points is provided for the student to grasp the full significance of the composition. Biographical notes for the major composers Annamacarya, Ksétrayya and Saramgapani are given at the beginning of each group of songs.

It is hoped that performing artists and students of dance will find this volume useful in their abhinaya endeavours.

That the foundations of Indian culture were deeply embedded in Dravidian culture is Tien an incontrovertible fact. Dravidian culture is one of the most ancient cultures of the world. Those cultures, slightly contemporaneous to one another, slowly started fading out. However, the primordial Dravidian culture continues to thrive without losing its quin- tessence despite the apparent changes in systems of dress and address. Dravidian University was established in 1997 to mirror the real and rich picture of Dravidian culture not only in its linguistic, literary, cultural and philosophical facets but in science and technological angles also.

The spirit of integration is the guiding force behind the creation of the University. The linguistic and cultural integration, not at the regional but at the national level is the cherished objective of the University.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh started Dravidian University, with the co-opera- tion of the sister States, to research and reflect on the inherent oneness of the cultures of Dravidian famiy whose languages number up to 27. Its endeavour is to promote unity and amity in the family of several languages. The main objectives of Dravidian University are to augment the common weal and social well being of the communities of marginal languages and to build bridges among the Southern States. While working on each language separately in varied areas, it aims at a synthesis and a discovery of the common heritage through Comparative Studies.

Prof. Salva Krishnamurthy, a revered teacher occupies a pride of place in the field of Telugu literature for his mastery over literary theory and criticism. He is one of the finest exponents of Sanskrit poetics and aesthetics and his critical commentary, almost word to word prepares the reader to explore the rich text further, on his own, to enhance the sensibility of literary appreciation. The kind of language command and intuitive facility both in English and Telugu such as of Prof. Salvaas is almost a rarity in most other modern scholars.

Dravidian University has recently brought out Sankeertana Shasti (An English translation for 60 lyrics of Annamacharya) by Dr. Balantrapu Rajani Kanta Rao.

Considering 60 as an auspicious number, we now present to you (60) Songs for Abhinaya. by Prof. Salva Krishna Murthy which is singular in many respects. This volume which goes with the Telugu original, Roman transcription of the song, word for word and line for line meaning, poetic paraphrase and finally etymological study and aesthetic appreciation stands out as a source book replete with resources of Prof. Salva, the scholar. It is also a handbook for all performing artistes of song and dance both Indian and foreign. These 60 songs well annotated, I am sure, will further enhance the growing interest of cultural connoisseurs the world over.

If literature in all its genres like drama, novel, story, legend and myth records life, poetryespecially lyrical poetry celebrates life. Annamacharya, Kshetrayya and Sarangapani celebrate life starting with the physical and moving to the metaphysical. Celebrating the body results in realizing the soul. It is a con- tinuum of time and space, from the lowest to the highest forms of life. Sringara leads to devotion and devotion unifies the soul with the Lord.

Telugu life in all its contours, societal and spiritual, during the 15" and 18" centuries of the life time of these three composers can be reconstructed with a close reading of the presently available 14,523 lyrics of Annamacharya, the 315 padams of Kshetrayya and the 200 of Sarangapani. Alas! Thousands are lost in the course of cruel time! The best that can be done by the best scholars is storing and restoring the insights for the posterity. This is what Prof. Salva has done and the university is grateful to him for giving this volume as its publication.