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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Brova Barama

From Kavari Maan · 1979

Lyricist
Thyagaraja
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kavari Maan1979

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Tha dha ri na na na na… aaa…Rhythmic vocal scatting (Swaras/Sollukattu).
Aa… naa… raa… aa aa… naa…Vocalizing melodious notes.
Tha dha ri na na na… aa…Rhythmic vocal scatting.
Naanana naarae naarae naa…Melodic vocal scatting.
Tha dha ri na na na na… aa… tha… aaa… mm…Rhythmic vocalizing and humming.
Male
Brova baaramaa raghuraamaaIs it such a burden to protect me, O Raghurama?
Brova baaramaa raghuraamaaIs it such a burden to protect me, O Raghurama?
Brova baaramaa raghuraamaaIs it such a burden to protect me, O Raghurama?
Brova baaramaa raghuraamaaIs it such a burden to protect me, O Raghurama?
Bhuvanamella nee vaikundakaaWhen the entire universe is sustained within you?
Brova baaramaa raghuraamaaIs it such a burden to protect me, O Raghurama?
Male
Bhuvanamella nee vaikundakaaWhen the entire universe is sustained within you?
Brova baaramaa aa… aa… aa…Is it such a burden to protect me? Ah...
Male
Sri vaasudhaeva…O Lord Vasudeva...
Sri vaasudhaeva anda kovodulaO Lord Vasudeva, who holds millions of macrocosms...
Sri vaasudhaeva anda kovodulaO Lord Vasudeva, who holds millions of macrocosms...
Sri vaasudhaeva anda kovodulaO Lord Vasudeva, who holds millions of macrocosms...
Thudhi nee vaiyusagha laeraIs it not true that all who praise you find refuge in you?
Thudhi nee vaiyusagha laeraIs it not true that all who praise you find refuge in you?
Male
Brova baaramaa raghuraamaaIs it such a burden to protect me, O Raghurama?
Bhuvanamella nee vaikundakaaWhen the entire universe is sustained within you?
Brova baaramaa aa… aa… aa…Is it such a burden to protect me? Ah...
Male
Kalasaambhudhilo dhayathoIn the ocean of milk, out of supreme compassion...
Namarulakai adhighaFor the sake of the celestials (Devas)...
Aa… aaa… aa…aa..Vocalizing melodious notes.
Kalasaambhudhilo dhayathoIn the ocean of milk, out of supreme compassion...
Namarulakai adhigha…aaaFor the sake of the celestials...
Gobikaala kaina… aa…aa… aa… aa… aa…And for the sake of the gopis...
Aaa….aaa….aa….aa….Melodic vocalization.
Gobikaala kaina kondala thalaeraDid you not lift the mountain for the sake of the gopis?
Gobikaala kaina kondala thalaeraDid you not lift the mountain for the sake of the gopis?
Karunaakraa thyaagharaajaa vinuthaO compassionate one, praised by Tyagaraja!
Karunaakraa thyaagharaajaa vinuthaO compassionate one, praised by Tyagaraja!
Male
Brova baaramaa raghuraamaaIs it such a burden to protect me, O Raghurama?
Bhuvanamella nee vaikundakaaWhen the entire universe is sustained within you?
Brova baaramaa aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Is it such a burden to protect me? Ah...
Aaa….aaa….aa….aa….Melodic vocalization.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Brova Barama' is a renowned Carnatic classical kriti composed by Saint Tyagaraja in the raga Bahudari. In this composition, the poet-saint appeals to Lord Rama with tender audacity and deep devotion, asking if protecting a single devotee like him is truly a burden. He lovingly challenges the Lord by reminding Him of His cosmic divinity and legendary acts of mercy: if the Lord effortlessly contains all the universes within Himself, bore the weight of Mandara mountain in the ocean of milk for the Devas, and lifted the Govardhana hill for the cowherd maidens (gopis), protecting Tyagaraja should be no task at all for the merciful Lord.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Prashna Alankara)

“Brova baaramaa raghuraamaa”

The entire song revolves around the poet asking Lord Rama if saving him is a burden, using loving persuasion to emphasize the Lord's omnipotence.

Allusion (Puranic References)

“Kalasaambhudhilo dhayatho Namarulakai adhigha”

Alludes to Hindu mythological events including Kurma avatar churning the ocean of milk and Krishna lifting the Govardhana hill.

Mudra (Composer Signature)

“Karunaakraa thyaagharaajaa vinutha”

Saint Tyagaraja incorporates his signature 'Tyagaraja Vinutha' into the Charanam of the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Brova Barama' is a celebrated composition by Saint Tyagaraja in ragam Bahudari set to Adi talam. It was featured in the 1979 Tamil film 'Kavari Maan' starring Sivaji Ganesan, with music rendered classically for the soundtrack.

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