Background: In India, concept of arranged marriage is an age old tradition. For an arranged marriage, the potential groom sees a lot of potential brides and decides to marry one.
In this song, it seems like the eligible bachelor has been searching for a perfect cheluvi (beauty ) for some time. Looking at his ambitions, one of his well wishes advises him that when it comes to wife beauty is not everything. And when it comes to life money is not everything. A simple song with a wonderful message.
Cheluvi cheluvi yendu
Ati aase pada byada
Cheluviddarenu gunavilla
Cheluviddarenu gunavilla
Hole neeru tili iddarenu ruchiyilla
// Don’t wish too much for a beautiful wife. Beauty does not mean goodness. Just like the water from a lake which looks clear but is really tasteless. //
Kappu hendati yendu
Kalavala padabyada
Nerale Hannu balu kappu
Nerale Hannu balu kappu
Iddaroo, tindu nodidare ruchi bahala
// Don’ fret about a dark skinned wife . Nerale fruit is very dark in color. But if you eat it you will know its sweetness//
Kempu hendai yendu
Santhosha pada byada
Attiya hannu balu kempu
Attiya hannu balu kempu
Odedu nodidare hulu bahala
// Don’t be overjoyed about a fair skinned ( red in palor ) wife. The fruit Atti is very red too,but when you open it all you see are worms.. //
Bangara bale tottu
Badavara by byada
Bangara ninage sthiravalla
Bangara ninage sthiravalla
Madhyanha Sanje yaguvudu Tadavalla
// You may wear golden jewels,but don’t abuse the poor. Wealth is not a permanent asset, just like how the bright afternoon quickly turns into a dark evening.
had heard this song as a little girl. happy to find it here. thank you for posting
Thank you.