Athisaya Raagam Lyrics Translated

This raagam, called Mahati, has only 4 notes. In Karnatic music, all raagams have either 5, 6 or 7 notes. But Balamurali Krishna invented this one and was critisised for his non-traditional innovation. The fact that such a lovely song could be made from it goes to show that while it is limited, it is still a viable Raagam.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhNinKGkztM

Athisaya raagam aanandha raagam azhagiya raagam apporva raagam
Athisaya raagam aanandha raagam azhagiya raagam apporva raagam
Vasantha kalathil mazhai tharum megam
Antha mazhai neer aruntha manathinil moham
Isai yenum amuthinil avalaoru baagam
Indira logathu chakkaravaakam

Magnificent raagam, blissful raagam, beautiful raagam, rare and wonderful raagam.
Magnificent raagam, blissful raagam, beautiful raagam, rare and wonderful raagam.
The cloud which gives rain in the spring time
As (I) drink of the rain water, my heart feels amorous
In nectar of music, she is a part
In Indiras world (heavenly kingdom), the musical scale

Pinniya koonthal karunira naagam
Penmayin ilakkanam avalathu dhegam
Dhevargal valarthidum kaaviya yaagam
Antha dhevathai kidaithal athu yen yogam

Her braided hair is a black serpent
Feminine elegance is her body (Her body is according to the grammar 'ilakkanam' of what femininity should look like)
The gods nurture this poetic sacrifice
That goddess, if I get, it would be my fortune

Oru puram paarthaal mithilayin mythili
Marupuram paarthaal kaviri maadhavi
(Innuma purila?)
Mugam mattum paarthaal nilavin yethiroli
Muzhuvathum paarthaal aval oru bhairavi

If you see one town, it is Mithilay (in the province of Behar) and Sita's birth place
The next city/tower you see is Kaveri river's Madhavi
(Don't you understand yet?)
If you see only the face it is the reflection of the moon
If you see it all, she is a Bhairavi.

Explaination of the last verse:
The song is straightforward until the very last verse. There, the Raagam itself changes. He says, at first sight she may seem as virtuous as Sita (from Ramayanam), if you examine more closely she seems to be like Madhavi (from Silapathigaaram who tempts away a married man with her dance). If you take her at face value, she is as beautiful as the reflection of the moon (yethir oli literally translates to an echo though) but if you see her for what she is, she is Bhairavi: a fierce and frightful form of the goddess Durga, similar to Kali. Bhairavi is also the name of the raagam from which Mahati is derived. It is a line loaded with layers of meaning.

Also, to understand the concept of a Raagam better, please see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragam