Krishna Nee Begane Baaro

This is one of my favorite Carnatic kritis. This is composed by the great sage Vyasaraya.

Raga: Yamunkalyani

There is an awesome incident involving this kriti.

One day Jon Higgins, the American who was a master of Carnatic music, went to visit the Udupi Krishna temple along with his Indian friends. He wore south Indian style dress but the priests found that he was a westerner and forbid him from entering the temple. Jon stood out side the temple and tried to view the idol from distance. His friends also stood with him and he started to sing this same kriti, standing outside. Once he finished his heavenly alaap, the priests came out and requested him to enter the temple.

Jon was great. And the music was greater!

krishna nee bEganE baarO - Krishna. Come soon.
bEganE baarO mukavannu tOrO - Come soon. Show your face.
kaalaalandhigE gejje niladhabaavuli - Beautiful anklets in your feet. Sapphire bracelets.
nilavarNane naaTya maaduta baarO - Blue colored one. Please come dancing.
Odiyalli odigejje beraLalli ongura - Waistbands with bells. Ring on your finger.
koraLalli haakita vajayantimaalE - Necklace around your neck.
kaasi peeTambara kaiyalli koLalu - Yellow silk from Kashi. Flute in your hand.
pushita shreegandha mayallOLagamma! - Your body is decorated with sandal paste.
taayige baayalli jagavannu torita - Who showed his mother the universe in his mouth
jagadhOdhaaraka namma uDupi shree krishna - Saviour of the world, our Udupi Shri Krishna.