RALLAPALLI MANGALAMS

Rallapalli Mangalams

The Rallapalli Mangalams have been composed by three authors, namely Sangeeta Kalanidhi Dr .Rallapalli Anantha Krishna Sarma, and his brothers Sri Gopalakrishnamacharya and Shri Lakshmanacharya. Shri Karnamadakala Krishnamacharya, the father of these brothers, had taught his sons ( and daughters too ) what all literature he had learnt in Telugu and Sanskrit. He encouraged his sons to compose works in these languages. The Rallapalli Mangalams are a result of this. The brothers composed these Mangalams, which were being sung during various auspicious occasions – like marriages, thread ceremonies, festivals, vratams and during daily poojas. While the lyrics of these Mangalams were composed by all of them, the musical notations were set only by Dr Rallapalli Anantha Krishna Sarma. Among the three, Gopalakrishnamacharya, the eldest brother has composed the maximum number of Mangalams. He is followed by Lakshmanacharya and Anantha Krishna Sarma, respectively. At the end of this article, a list of nine Mangalams is included; five composed by Gopalakrishnamacharya, two each by Lakshmanacharya and Anantha Krishna Sarma. As already said, the music, raga, tala, and notations for all these are credited to Rallapalli Anantha Krishna Sarma.

The brothers composed these Mangalams in the early stages of their life, between the ages 10-12 to 20-22 years. Lakshmanacharya, who was afflicted with polio, died when he was only 16 years old. Lakshmanaswamy, as he was popularly called, had a mastery over the languages of Telugu and Sanskrit, and that he was composing in these languages from very early age, only establishes his genius. In addition to the Mangalams, he had also composed many Harikathas. His early death caused an irreparable loss to the Rallapalli family. In all his compositions, he used the ‘mudra’ or ‘ankita’ – “SRI MEDIPURA VASA” , which refers to the presiding deity, of the Temple in Metikunte, Sira Taluk, Tumkur district, Karnataka. This temple is very ancient and the deity is Lord Balakrishna, holding butter in both his hand, in a standing posture. It is said that this deity was installed nearly 850 years ago, by the famous Sri Vaishnavate saint, Yamanachraya. Several Sri Vaishnavate families belonging to Rayalaseema and many parts of Karnataka, worship this God.

Shri Gopalakrishnamacharya leart English at home from his brother-in-law, completed his Matriculation as a private student, and by his twentieth year started working in the Taluk office, as a ‘gumasta’. He gradually rose in the ranks to become sub-magistrate, tahasildhar and finally huzur shirastedar, before retiring from service. After retirement he developed interest in Astrology. Later he became a famous Astrologer in both the Indian and Western methods of Astrology. This lead to declining interest in his literary activities. He used the ’mudra’ or ‘ankita’ – ‘SHILAPURI GOPALAKRISHNA’ ( note Shilapuri is the Sanskrit translation of Rallapalli ) . His main literary works include two kadambaris ( novels ) – ‘Pranaya sarani’ and ‘Rambhalingana’ and another work ‘Varadabotu’.

Sri Rallapalli Anantha Krishna Sarma, composed fewer Mangalams compared to his two brothers. He used the ‘mudra’ or ‘ankita’ – ‘ASHMAPURI’ ( another Sanskrit translation of Rallapalli ) during his early ages and later used the ‘mudra’ or ‘ankita’ –ANANTA.

From the lyrics of the songs, and the ‘mudra’ used, the composer of these nine Mangalams, can be identified.

LIST OF RALLAPALLI MANGALAMS :

1 ) Mangalam Tava Rangada Bhangura – Jhajhooti Ragam, Rupaka Talam , Composer Shri Rallapalli Anantha Krishna Sarma

2 ) Mangalam Anavaratam – Hindustani Kapi, Deshadi Talam, Composer Shri Gopalakrishamacharya

3 ) Krishna Mangalam – Kamas Ragam, Adi Talam , Composer Shri Gopalakrishamacharya

4 ) Mangalanga Shoure Jaya Mangalam – Natakuranji Ragam, Adi Talam , Composer Shri Gopalakrishamacharya

5 ) Mangala Mamburuhakshi – Mohana Kalyani Ragam , Rupaka Talam , Composer Shri Gopalakrishamacharya

6 ) Nilamanavati Manohara – Kambhoji Ragam, Rupaka Talam, Composer Shri Gopalakrishamacharya

7 ) Mangalam Avani sute – Farz ragam, Eka Talam, Composer Shri Laksmanacharya

8 ) Mangalam Kalinga Dorbala, Surati Ragam , Mishra Chapu Talam, Composer Shri Laksmanacharya

9 ) Mangalam Ambhuja Ripu Sahe – Mohana Ragam, Adi Talam, Composer Shri Rallapalli Anantha Krishna Sarma