Teliyaleru Rama - Dhenuka : The Way of Hypocritical Devotees - An Exploration by M Balamuralikrishna

This offering features a rare rendition of Teliyaléru Rāma in the rāga Dhénuka rendered in detail by Dr. M Balamuralikrishna (BMK).

This composition highlights the way of hypocritical devotees and a way away from true Rāma bhakti.

The chastisement of hypocritical devotees and materialism, however, are also found in the lyrics of Purandaradasa (for example, udara-vaírāgyavidu), who lived several centuries before Saint Tyāgarāja.

Tyāgarāja says, “O Rāma, the people do not know the right path to faith, but would rather go about the earth and create confusion. Though they get up early in the morning, bathe in water, besmear their bodies with sacred ashes and rose [water] as praiseworthy men, they manifest inordinate lust for money rather than, O Rāma, desire for your grace”.

Here is a translation of the composition by William J Jackson, an excerpt from his book “Tyāgarāja – Life and Lyrics”

💠 They cannot know the path of Rāma bhakti
💠 In this wide world they may wander and dramatically make-believe but they cannot know the path of Rāma bhakti
💠 Getting up early, taking a dip in the water, smearing themselves with ashes, counting their prayers on their fingers, - it's all for appearance' sake - they want to seem so praiseworthy but really their greatest concern is to make themselves good money. But, O Lord adored by Tyāgarāja, they cannot know the path of bhakti for Rāma.

✅ In this radio recital, BMK is accompanied by Smt. Usha Rajagopalan (violin), Sri. Trichur C Narendran (mridangam) and Sri. V Suresh (ghatam).

✅ It is interesting to observe how BMK has not only mirrored the intent of the composer in his kriti rendition but he has also portrayed the same spirit in the svara-vinyāsam by punning the notes.

Acknowledgements: My sincere thanks are due to:
1️⃣ Sri. L Vasudev for curating the AIR recording and for sharing the cassette tapes,
2️⃣ Sri. Ravi Joshi for his diligence in digitisation of tapes.
3️⃣ Mr. William J Jackson - “Tyāgarāja – Life and Lyrics” for his translation.