Sadhananda Thandhavam
Raga: Bahudari
Tala: Adi
Composer: Achuta Dasar
Achyuta Dasar was born in Polur (which lies between Velore and Thiruvannamalai) in North Arcot district in 1850. His original name was Abbai. He was well versed in Telugu (his mother tongue), Tamil and Sanskrit and had acquired poetic skill in these languages. Along with this, he also cultivated his knowledge and expertise in music and became capable of composing songs in all the three languages. He has written spiritual books like sanmarga tarpananam and advaitarasa manjari. He was, for a while, a school teacher at Polur. During this early period of his life, Achyuta Dasar was, like Saint Thyagaraja, devoted to Lord Rama. He had built a temple where he held weekly bhajan-s where he sang some of his own compositions as well. It seems that his mellifluous singing voice would mesmerize even cattle grazing in the fields. Achyuta Dasar also wrote musical works, such as, “Prahlada Charitram”, “Sakku Bai Charitram” and “Dhruva Charitram”. He used to deliver upanyaasa-s and harikatha-s as well. Noticing his ardent devotion to Lord Vishnu, one Venkatakrishna Dasa, an elderly Vaishnavite, made him change his name from Abbai to Achyuta Dasar.
Pallavi
Sadananda thandavam cheyyum,
Pada varam that tha Jagannatha
Anupallavi
Chit karathil arputa karamai olir adu
Murai theriya, sudhamrtham choria
Charanam
Muktharum sidharum munivargalum ,
Mona madhavarum manudargalum
Nithiraiai vittu ninaippu maruppu kettu,
Nirvikarpathai nandru maruvi thani nindru.
English translation
Pallavi
Oh God of universe give me the boon of your feet,
That does the dance of joy forever
Anupallavi
The divine hand shining like a magical hand,
And understanding the art of dance ,
And pouring the nectar of the Gods.
Charanam
Sidhas as well as those who have forsaken the world,
Sages and those who silently do meditation and also men
After walking from sleep and then loosing,
Conscious thought process and entering,
Into the Nirvikalpa Samadhi and standing alone