When the Chicken Swallowed the Monkey Lyric and Translation of Shishunal Sharif's "Kodagana Koli Nungitta" Shishunala

Sharif was a saint-poet of Karnataka. His songs are both melodious an d philosophical. "Kodagana Koli Nungitta" is especially a lot of fun. It is real ly hard to translate the song, because the poet plays with the rhymes and reason s in a clever way, but I thought that as someone who has enjoyed the song tremen dously, I must attempt to translate and share it with others. There are many ren derings of the song, which I have provided below. Lyric of the song "Kodagana Koli Nungitta": Kodagana Koli Nungitta Translation of Shishunala Sharif's Kodagana Koli Nungitta Look sister! The chicken has swallowed the ape! and Amazing things are happening The goat has swallowed the elephant The wall has drunk up the whitewash The Amazing thing has eaten up the tabor of the actress who came out to play! The sesame seeds have eaten up the pounding stick The rock has swallowed the peg The Amazing thing has swallowed the old lady who came to relish the seeds! The thread has eaten the loom The loom has swallowed the reel The Amazing thing has swallowed the owner of the loom! What Amazing thing has happened sister! The mountain has engulfed the cave Like the cave has engulfed an ant! My teacher Govinda's feet have completely engulfed my ego, sister Amazing thing has happened Links to Musical Videos From Movie By C. Ashwath himself -- see thousands dance to the tune A nice rendering by Mayur (except for emphasis on Govinda, see below) Notes Govinda as referred in the song is not Lord Krishna, but a local brahmin bearing the name, who accepted Sharif as a disciple. This song is really a tribute to t he magnanimity of the teacher, who the poet says cured his ego --"His grace swal lowed me". It might not be obvious, but Sharif was a Muslim. Sharif stands as a pioneer of in Kannada Islamic literature as well as a Muslim trying to reach God via music (it's a rarity in Islamic cultures; only Kabir com es to mind). Title: Kodagana Koli Nungitha Singer: C.Ashwath

Lyricist: Santa Shishunal Sharif Kodagana koli nungitha Nodavva thangi Kodagana koli nungitha Kodagana koli nungitha Nodavva thangi Kodagana koli nungitha Aadu aneya nungi Gode sunnava nungi Aadu aneya nungi Gode sunnava nungi Adalu banda papadavala Makala nungitha thangi Kodgana koli nungitha Vallu vanikeya nungi Thellu gutava nungi Vallu vanikeya nungi Thellu gutava nungi Kollalu banda mudikiyanne Nellu nungitha thangi Kollalu banda mudikiyanne Nellu nungitha thangi Kodagana koli nungitha Nodavva thangi Kodagana koli nungitha Hagga maggava nungi Magga balali nungi Hagga maggava nungi Magga balali nungi Magadaliruva annanane Maneyu nungitha thangi Kodagana koli nungitha Kodagana koli nungitha Nodavva thangi Kodagana koli nungitha Gudda gaviyanu nungi Gaviyu iruveya nungi Gudda gaviyanu nungi Gaviyu iruveya nungi Govinda guruvana pada Nannane nungitha thangi Kodagana koli nungitha

Govinda guruvana pada Nannae nungitha thangi Kodagana koli nungitha Kodagana koli nungitha Nodavva thangi Kodagana koli nungitha