Nidhi Chala Sukhama
An inward debate: does happiness come from wealth, or from serving Rama?
| Music | Detail |
|---|---|
| Composer | Tyagaraja |
| Raga | Kalyani |
| Tala | Misra Chapu |
| Type | Kriti |
| Language | Telugu |
Lyrics
Pallavi
nidhi cāla sukhamā rāmuni
sannidhi sēva sukhamā nijamuga palku manasā
Anupallavi
dadhi navanīta kṣīramulu ruciyō
dāśarathi dhyāna bhajana sudhā rasamu ruciyō
Charanam
dama śamamanu gaṅgā snānamu sukhamā
kardama durviṣaya kūpa snānamu sukhamā
mamata bandhana yuta nara stuti sukhamā
sumati tyāgarāja nutuni kīrtana sukhamā
Meaning
The mind is asked to answer honestly. Material enjoyment is placed beside the sweetness of contemplation; indulgence beside self-restraint; praise of people beside praise of Rama. The imagery moves from taste to bathing to song, making a spiritual choice vivid through everyday experience.
Musical context
The repeated questions are the work’s organising thread. Nidhi, “wealth,” and sannidhi, “presence,” bring the central contrast into the very sound of the opening lines.