O Beloved God-mother
By Vengrai Parthasarathy
“Ma Telugu Thalli”—is a haunting offertory to “God-Mother Telugu”
This is a free translation, not conforming to meter or other poetic parameters . Surya Kumari a comely actress with a mellifluous voice — niece of late T.Prakasam, the
revered Andhra freedom fighter – sang this song.)
A basket of white jasmines we strew at thy feet, O, Telugu Thalli
This incense we humbly render unto Thee, O beloved God Mother
With a golden trove of plenty in mother-earth’s bowels,
And an effulgent smile playing on your lips
Thou showereth on us your generous bounties.
With murmuring music of the meandering Godavari
And the never-changing Krishna of crystal purity
Thou, our Mother, confers on our land a harvest of golden grain
And raineth on us rich pearls aplenty and pride and power
We exult in the life-like sculptures in the Amaravathi caves
In the tremulous melodies from the golden throat of Sri Thyagayya
In the authentic delights from the creative pen of Thikkayya
They uplift our spirits and shall live for ages and ever more.
So shall the unmatched deeds of the valorous Rani Rudramma
The wifely devotion of the noble Mallamma,
The wisdom and sagacity of minister Thimmarasu
And the glory of the warrior-king Krishna Deva Raya
Bells peal , echoing thy glory in non-stop refrain
Our remembrances shall never fade or go away.
Our dances are dedicated to you,
What we shout are hosannas to your compassion.
And, gratitude for thy grace and glory,
Glory be to Thee, O God Mother
Victory be to Thee, O Telugu Thalli!