Alokaye Rukmini Kalyana Gopalam / Kamboji / Adi / ( Tharangam) Narayana Theerthar / Bombay Sisters

Krithi: Alokaye Rukmini Kalyana Gopalam
Ragam: Kamboji
Thalam: Adi
Composer: Narayana Theerthar ( Tharangam )

Vocal: Bombay Sisters - C Saroja- C Lalitha

C. Saroja (born 7 December 1936) and C. Lalitha (26 August 1938 – 31 January 2023) were famously known as Bombay Sisters. Born at Thrissur, Kerala to Smt. Mukthambal and Sri. N. Chidambaram Iyer, the sisters were brought up in Bombay, where their father was working as Electrical Engineer in the Western Railway. Once there, they began performing together, they shifted to Chennai to pursue music after getting a fellowship from the Central College of Music, Madras, the Bombay name never left them. They trained under HAS Mani, Musiri Subramanya Iyer and T K Govinda Rao. When Madurai Mani Iyer couldn’t perform at the Sai Baba Musical festival owing to illness, the Bombay Sisters replaced him on the stage. This became a milestone in their music Carrier. They received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honour, in 2020. Lalitha was married to N. R. Chandran, former Advocate-General of Madras. She died on 31 January 2023, aged 84, in Chennai. She was suffering from cancer. Saroja is married to Rajaram, former chief secretary of the Lalit Kala Academy.

Violin: Padma Shankar
Mridangam: K R Ganesh
Ghadam: Pudukottai Ramachandran

This krithi from Sri Narayaṇa Tīrtha’s Kṛiṣhṇa Lila Tarangiṇi, portraying the majestic splendor of Dwaraka after Sri Kṛishṇa’s wedding with Rukmiṇi.

Pallavi
Alokaye rukmini kalyana gopalam

Anupallavi
Neela megha nibhakaram balarka samana chelam
neelambaranujam gopalam neelala kamtam

Charanam 1
Dwarakapura mamtape dwadashaditya sannibhe
bhoori ratna simhasane bhoosuraghane
veerasane samaseenam vikasitambujananam
dheera yogi sevyamanam devakee vasudeva soonum

Charanam 2
Samkha dumdubhi nadite Sataso gamdharvadigeete
pumkhanupumkha nigama budhajanavrute
pamkajekshana rambhadi patu natana vinodite
kumkuma kesara varshite komalakara charite

Charanam 3
Divya kireeta kumdala deepta peetambara dharam
navya mukta mani haram nana viharam
avyaya bhooti vistaram amara naree suradharam
bhavya koustubha kamdharam bhakta manasa samcharam

Charanam 4
Ashta mahishee sametam amara naree susevitam
tushta pushta janavrutam tumburu geetam
ishtajana samasritam Ishwaramaparajitam
drushta sarva lokajatam deva rajadi vinutam

Charanam 5
Hema mukta mani Chatram heera ratna kati sootram
chamara vyamjanavrutam saradimdu vaktram
kamakoti samagatram kanakamgadadi vichitram
syama sumdaram pavitram saranagatoddhara gotram

Charanam 6
Chamdranana bhaishmi bhama jambavati satya mitra-
vimda bhadra lakshana kalimdInayakam
namda namdanamasrita brumda brumdaraka vamdyam
namdita narayana teertha namdanam anamdakamdam

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Meaning:

Behold Gopala, the divine bridegroom of Rukmini.

Gopala shines with the hue of a dark rain cloud, while His radiant attire glows like the rising sun. He is the younger brother of Balarama and the beloved Lord of Rukmini.

Seated majestically in a splendid pavilion of Dwaraka that dazzles like twelve suns shining together, Gopala rests upon a gem-studded throne. Noble priests and great sages stand in devoted service. With a face blooming like a lotus, He is the cherished son of Devaki and Vasudeva.

The entire venue resounds with the auspicious sounds of conches and drums. Gandharvas and celestial beings sing joyously, while learned scholars chant the Vedas continuously. Rambha and other celestial dancers, with lotus-like eyes, delight the assembly with graceful dance, as fragrant saffron showers fill the air, making the wedding scene truly magnificent.

Adorned with a divine crown and earrings, Krishna glows in his resplendent golden garments. He is embellished with the Kaustubha gem and garlands of pearls and precious stones. His divine exploits are limitless. He is the support of celestial beings and the indwelling presence in the hearts of His devotees.

Accompanied by His eight queens, Krishna is lovingly attended by celestial maidens. Surrounded by happy and contented people, He stands as the invincible Supreme Lord. He is the witness of all the worlds and is worshipped by Indra and other gods.

A golden, gem-studded umbrella shades Him, while His waist is adorned with a belt set with diamonds and precious stones. Attendants fan him with fly-whisks and leaf fans. His face shines like the autumn moon, and his beauty surpasses that of millions of Cupids. This pure and enchanting Syama Sundara is committed to protecting those who seek his refuge.

Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Mitra, Vinda, Bhadra, Lakshana, and Kalindi are his consorts. He is the beloved son of Nanda and the ultimate refuge of all devotees. He is the boundless source of joy and bliss for Narayana Teertha, the composer.
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