Pronunciation and Phonetics

Learning proper pronunciation can be done without much knowledge of phonetics, actually. A basic knowledge, however, helps to make pronunciation clearer and thus facilitates the process of learning how to speak a foreign language properly.

eAmbalam introduces a phonetic chart which is based on Dhevanagari script. The sounds of vowels and consonants and other speech sounds in Sanskrit and the languages which have completely or mostly borrowed from it can be covered with the help of the chart. A few other sounds common to some languages in this group and outside are also put in. Unique sounds of some languages are specified too.

Diacritical marks are used to aid perfect pronunciation. World over, these marks have been created and propagated by scholars to make understanding of the differences in speech sounds in different languages better. Team eAmbalam also has created a phonetic chart which helps even first timers to pronounce words accurately.

Our Phonetic chart is unique, comprehensive, learner friendly and is divided into four columns wherein:
  • In the first column, the letter is written with the associated diacritical mark.
  • In the second column, an example is given in Dhevanagari language containing the letter.
  • In the third column, an example is given in English, which contains the sound closes to the letter or instructions in few cases, to facilitate better understanding.
  • In the fourth column, an audio button is placed with the help of which you can hear the actual pronunciation of the letter.
An open minded approach with the above introduction and guidelines will definitely enable the user to understand the speech sounds of any language and pronounce it like a native, which is eAmbalam’s aim in this exercise.

  VOWELS  
Syllable Usage in Sanskrit Usage in English
A or a Aḍavu Arise
Ā or ā Ānanda Vast
I or i Indhira Sing
Ī or ī Īśha Meal
U or u U ṣhā Good
Ū or ū Ū rdhhva Boost
R or r Riṣh i Try
Ṛ or ṛ Ni ṛ uti Grr!
Lr or lr   Pronounce L and R together.
E or e Eka Ate
AI or ai Aikya Sight
O or o Ojas Robe
AU or au Audh ā rya Now
A M or am Śhiva m Drum
A HA or aha R ā ma ha Aha!
Syllable Usage in Sanskrit Usage in English
 

CONSONANTS
Syllable Usage in Sanskrit Usage in English
KA or ka Kavi Car
KHA or kha Khalu Mark -Him
GA or ga Gamana Gut
GHA or gha Ghata Ugh!
Ṅ A or ṅa Tura ṅ ga Ring
CHA or ca Chakra Chart
CHHA or cha Chhandas Branch
JA or ja Jagath Jug
JHA or jha Jhallari Fudge
NYA or nya Gnyana Knew
Ṭ A or ṭ Ṭ anka Top
ṬHA or ṭha Pāṭha Pothole
ḌA or da Ḍ amaruka Dog
Ḍ HA or ḍ ha Mūḍ ha Madhouse
Ṇ A or ṇ a Ga ṇ a Wander
THA or tha Thanu Health
THHA or thha Athha Theater
DHA or dha Dha śha This
DHHA or dhha Dhhana m Dha with an additional H sound
NA or na Namask ā raha Nut
PA or pa   Path ā ka Past
PHA or pha Phala m P with a H sound
BA or ba Bandhhu Ball
BHA or bha Bhadra Abhor
MA or ma Manas Money
YA or ya Yama Yummy
RA or ra Rajas Rub
LA or la Lath ā Lust
VA or WA, va /wa A śh va or A śhwa Water/Valour
ŚHA or śha Śhakthi Shutter
ṢHA or ṣ ha Ṣh a ṇ mukha Shunt
SA or sa Sarasvatī Sun
HA or ha Hari Hum
Ḷ A or ḷ a Ar āḷ a Bold
KṢHA or k ṣ ha Ak ṣh i Try to pronounce Ka, Sa & Ha – all at one time.
Extra Vowels in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada & Malayalam Scripts    
É or é Éṇi Angel
Ō or ō Ō m Ō M
ZHA Exclusive to Tamil & Malayalam Fold the tip of your tongue backwards and try to pronounce it with the aid of the audio button.
Syllable Usage in Sanskrit Usage in English

Lyrics and Meanings (Thilanas)

The   thillānā   is a short and crisp composition.The most important feature of this form is the presence of   jatis   for the most part and few sāhitya syllables which occur in the first half of the  caranam.

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Lyrics and Meanings (Thilanas)

The   thillānā   is a short and crisp composition.The most important feature of this form is the presence of   jatis   for the most part and few sāhitya syllables which occur in the first half of the  caranam. Compared to sāhitya, the rhythmic syllables can be enjoyed more in this form. The presence of   jatis   is probably the reason for the popularity of this form.   Jatis   are always attractive and the brisk passages of   jatis   along with swara and sāhitya syllables have a quick appeal to the mind of the listener. In addition to this, the music which accompanies the sāhitya also has a direct appeal if it is appropriate.
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Posted By: Administrator

Rāga : Basanth Bahār
Thāḷa : Ādhi
Composer : Mahārājapuram Santhānam
Language: Thamizh(Tamil)

Pallavi
Thom Dhru Dhru Thāni Thadhara Thāni Thana Dhiranā Dhru Dhru

Thom Dhru Dhru Thāni Thadhara Thāni Thana Dhiranā Dhiranā Dhiranā Dhru Dhru
Thom Dhru Dhru Thāni Thadhara Thāni Thana Dhiranā Dhiranā Dhiranā Dhiranā Dhru Dhru

Anupallavi:
Jhaṇutha Dhim Tha Jhaṇutha Dhim Tha Jhaṇutha Dhim ThaThana Dhiranā
Jhaṇutha Dhim Tha ka Jhaṇutha Dhim Tha ka Jhaṇutha Dhim Thaka Thana Dhiranā
Jhaṇutha Dhim Thakiṭa Jhaṇutha Dhim Tha Jhaṇu Jhaṇutha Dhim Jhaṇutha Thana Dhiranā
Udhara Thāni Thadhara Thāni Thakundhari Tha Jhaṇuthaka Dhim Tha Tha Jhaṇuthaka Dhim Tha tha Jhaṇuthaka Dhim

Chara ṇam
Kaliyugam Thannil Kaṇ Kaṇḍa Dheivam Kali Thīrkkum Kānchi Māmuniye
Salikkum Manadhai Oru Nilaikkuḷ Nirutttha Undhan Sannadhiyai Nān Nāḍi Vandhen
Kaḍaikkaṇ Pārvaiyāl Kaḍaiyan Ennaiye Kāttharuḷ Sheyyum Endhan Karuṇai Dheivame
Aḍaikkalam Enḍru Undhan Thiruvaḍi Thanil Mahārājan Pāḍi Nidham Paṇindhiḍuven


Thām Thakiṭa Jham Ma Dha Pa Ga Thakiṭa Jham Tha Thām Dha Ma Ni Dha Tha
Thām Thakiṭa Jham Ma Dha Pa Ga Thakiṭa Jham Jhaṇutha Dhimitha Dhimitha Jhaṇutha
Thathith Thaguthigu Thalāngu Thaguthigu Thillānā Thillānā Thaka Dhimitha Thakiṭa Thom Tha Thom
Thaka Thakiṭa Dhimitha Thom Tha Thom Thaka Thakiṭa Dhimitha Thom Tha Thom
Thom Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhim
Thom Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhim
Thom Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru Dhru

Meaning of Chara ṇa Sāhithyam :

Kaliyugam Thannil Kaṇ Kaṇḍa Dhaivam Kali Thīrkkum Kānchi Māmuniye
Salikkum Manadhai Oru Nilaikkuḷ Nirutttha vum Un Sannadhiyai Nān Nāḍi Vandhen
Kaḍaikkaṇ Pārvaiyāl Kaḍaiyan Ennaiye Kāttharuḷ Sheyyum Karuṇai Dhaivame
Aḍaikkalam Endru Undran Thiruvaḍi Thanil Mahārājan Pādi Nidham Panindhiḍuven

Kaliyugam – The era which we live in

Kaliyuga; Kaliyugam Thannil - in Kaliyuga

Kaṇ Kaṇḍa Dheivam – the visible deity;

Kali Thīrkkum – one who redeems our sins

Salikkum – tired, dull;

Manadhai – mind (of mine);

Oru Nilaikkuḷ - one point

Nirutttha vum - to place at (stabilize);

Un Sannadhiyai – your sanctum;

Nān – me

Nāḍi – sought, seeking;

Vandhen – came;

Kaḍaikkaṇ – corner of the eye

Pārvaiyāl – glance, vision (here- side glance);

Kaḍaiyan – a lowly person;

Ennaiye – me;

Kāttharuḷ - protect and bless (Kātthu+aruḷ); Sheyyum – one who does

Karuṇai - mercy, merciful;

Dheivame – O Lord;

Aḍaikkalam – refuge;

Enḍru – as;

Unḍran – your;

Thiruvaḍi – holy feet;

Thanil – at, in;

Mahārājan – the poet’s name is Mahārājan ;

Pāḍi – sing;

Nidham – daily;

Panindhiḍuven – I will bow down to

O sage of Kānchi, you are the one who redeems our sins in this Kali Yuga and hence are our visible God. I sought refuge in your sanctum to stabilize my tired (dull) mind. Do protect me, a lowly person, by the grace of your vision, by your side glances, O merciful God. I, who am named Mahārāja, will bow down at your holy feet daily, sing seeking refuge unto you.

 

Posted By: Administrator

Rāga: Brundhāvani

Thāḷa: Ādhi

Composer: Dr. Balamuraḷikriṣṇa

Language: Thelugu

Meanings: Ravi Chitrapu


Pallavi:

Dhim Na Na Na Thillillāna Thillāna Nādhru Dhim Dhim Nādhru Dhim Nādhru Dhim Nādhru
Dhim Na Na Na Thillillāna Thillāna Nādhru Dhim Dhim Nādhru Dhim Nādhru Dhim Nādhru


Anupallavi:

Dhim Nanā Dhim Nanā Thadingiṇathom Thakita Jhamtha Jhamtha Jhamtha Thajham

Tharithajham Tharitha Jham Tharitha Nādhru

Charaṇam:

Sogasulūra Hoyalu Kōri Ni dhariche rithini Nīra Kṣhīra Nyāyamai Maimarachi

Sakala Charācharamella Puḷakinche
Thīyani Hāyani Pinchu Chiru Ravaḷi Ni Muraḷi Mādhuri Nādhru

Meaning Of Charaṇa Sāhithyam:

Sogasulūra Hoyalu Kōri Ni Dharicherithini Nīra Kṣhīra Nyayamai Maimarachi -

Sogasulūra = Sogasulū+ ra ;

Kōri -Seeking

Sogasulūra - your beauty-soaked

Hoyalu Kōri = hoyalu + Kōri - hoyalu = graceful movement;

Kōri = desiring
Ni Dharicherithini = your abode or neighborhood have reached.
Nīra = water;

Kṣhīra = milk.

Nyayamai = justice or logic;
Maimarachi = forgetting engrossingly

They all just come only for your sweet music like how the swan has an uncanny ability to imbibe only the milk – kṣhīra and leave aside the water – nīra(when both milk and water are mixed in a container).

Sakala Charācharamella Puḷakinche –

Sakala = all or whole;

Charācharamella = world (that which revolves)
Puḷakinche = becoming thrilled or ecstatic

All beings in the world are in ecstasy.


Thīyani Hāyani Pinhcu Chiru Ravaḷi Ni Muraḷi Mādhhuri - Thīyani = sweet;

Hāyani (joy) + Pinchu = experiencing

Chiru = small. Ravaḷi = sound; nī - your

Muraḷi = Bālamuraḷi or flute;

mādhhuri = sweetness.

On listening to the mellifluous sound of your flute, I have come to you.

Contextual meaning:
On listening to the mellifluous sound of your flute, I have come to you. All beings in the world are in ecstasy on listening to your flute. They all just come only for your sweet music like how the swan has an uncanny ability to imbibe only the milk – kṣhīra and leave aside the water – nīra(when both milk and water are mixed in a container).

Note:

Brahmā's vehicle is a divine swan. This divine bird is bestowed with a virtue called nīra kṣhīra viveka or the ability to separate milk and water from a mixture of the two. The significance of this is that justice should be dispensed to all creatures, however entwined it might be in a situation. Also, this virtue indicates that one should learn to separate the good from the evil and then accept that which is valuable and discard that which is worthless or evil. There is also a beautiful symbolism here. Maybe, this is also a graphic way the devotee prays for the gift of discrimination (viveka), to be like a swan (hamsa) with its uncanny ability to imbibe the milk –kṣhīra and leave aside the water - nīra. Milk stands for Śhreyas (eternal spiritual wealth) and water for more Preyas (the momentary sensory pleasure). This is the well known maxim of hamsa- nīra kṣhīra nyāya.

 

Posted By: Administrator

Rāga: Dhhanaśhrī
Thāḷa: Ādhi
Composer: Swāthi Thiruṇāḷ
Language: Hindi

Pallavi:

Githa dhuniki thaka thai nādhru dhru dhru thām nācharahe gori thām dhithai thai dhithai dhirahata
(Githa dhuniki)

Anupallavi:

Bāja pāyal karo jhhanana jhhanana

Bāja pāyal karo jhhanana jhhanana thanana thanana thom jhhanana jhhanana thanana thanana thom

jhhanana jhhanana thanana thanana (Githa dhuniki)

Charaṇam 1:

Th ān gāve thakatha thai thathai

Thaittha thaittha thakata ṇam dhīm thakiṭathakadhīm dhīm thakiṭathakadhīm dhīm thakiṭathakadhīm

Tryaka thom tryaka thom tryaka (Githa dhuniki)

Charaṇam 2:

Padhumanābha thumhāri lilā kyā karū mei sāvaro
thāpa saṅkaṭa haraṇe āyo so hamāro thum haro

(Chiṭṭasvara)
Thadhīm thadhīm dhiranā udanitha thāni thāni thadhīm thadhīm dhiranā

Thādhiththām thathara alari thathom thadhimi thānidhīm alari alari

Thathara thām thāni thadhimi thām thāni takiṭa thām thāni dhīm dhīm dhīm thari

Alari thām thām thām thakadhimi alari thom thom thom thakadhikithaka alari

(Githa dhuniki)

Meaning:

Pallavi:

Nācharahe gori thām dhithai thai dhithai dhirahata

nācharahe - is dancing

gori - the girl

thām dhithai thai dhithai - beats of the dance.

The girl dances to the beats of thām dhithai thai dhithai and others.

Anupallavi:

Bāja pāyal karo jhhanana jhhanana

Bāja - to sound

Pāyal - anklet

Karo - to do (does)

jhhanana jhhanana - sounds of the anklet

The anklet makes the sound, jhhanana jhhanana.

Charaṇam 1:

Th ān gāve thakatha thai thathai

 Th ān - the verse

gāve - sings

thakatha thai thathai - the syllables of the verse

The syllables of the verse go - thakatha thai thathai.

Charaṇam 2:

Padhumanābha thumhāri līlā kyā karū mei sāvaro
thāpa saṅkaṭa haraṇe āyo so hamāro thum haro

Padhumanābha - one who has a lotus navel

thumhāri - your

līlā - sport of the God

kyā - what

karū - to do

mei - I

sāvaro - a name for Kriṣhṇa
thāpa saṅkaṭa - the problems

haraṇe - to solve

āyo so - as you come

hamāro - ours

thum - you

haro - defeat

 

O lord with the lotus navel, how do I explain your sport? As you come, you defeat all our problems.
Posted By: Administrator

Rāga: Hindhoḷam

Thāḷa: Khaṇḍaeka

Composer: Thirugokarṇam Vaidhyanātha Ayyar

Language: Thelugu

Meaning: Indhirā Kaḍambi

 

Pallavi:

Dhīm thānanana nādhrudhru thāni thāni thomdhrudhāni

Thom thom nādhrudhāni thom thondrudhāni thom thananadhana

 

Anupallavi:

Dhīm dhīm thadhara thāni dhīmthām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom

Dhīm thām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom dhīmthām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom

(Dhīm thānanana)

x 1 2 3 4
s , s m , m d m d g , m d n s? g? s? n s? ,
n s? , g? s? , n n s? , s? n d m , m d m g s

 

Nādhruthāni thom thomdhruthāni thom thanom thanom thanom thanom

dhīm thakiṭa thāka dhīm dhīm thakiṭa thāka

x 1 2 3 4
m? g? s? n d m d n s? g? m? , m? m , m d m d ,
m g s m , m n d m d , d n d s? n g? s? m? g?
s? n d n

Dhīm th ḷ ām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom thaka dhīm thḷ ām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom thaka dhiku

dhīm th ḷ ām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom (Dhīm thānanana)

Chara am:

nīdhu mahimalanu ne pogaḍi pogaḍi ninne

sadhā bhhajana chési mei marachithini

Śhrī kānchi purivelayu kāmākṣhi

Kaṭākṣhinchi karuṇajūḍavammā ammā

 

thākujheku thakiṭa ga, ma dha ni sa ga thakanam

thajam thanam ni ni sa, sa ni dha ma, thaka dhimi thom

Nādhruthāni thom thomdhruthāni thom thanom thanom thanom thanom

dhīm thakiṭa thāka dhīm dhīm thakiṭa thāka

 

x 1 2 3 4
m? g? s? n d m d n s? g? m? , m? m , m d m d ,
m g s m , m n d m d , d n d s? n g? s? m? g?
s? n d n

Dhīm th ḷ ām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom thaka dhīm thḷ ām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom thaka dhiku

dhīm th ḷ ām kiṭathaka tharikiṭathom (Dhīm thānanana)

Meaning of Charaṇam Sāhithyam:

nīdhu mahimalanu ne pogaḍi pogaḍi ninne

sadhā bhhajana chési mei marachithini

Śhrī kānchi purivelayu kāmākṣhi

Kaṭākṣhinchi karuṇajūḍavammā ammā

 

nīdhu - your

mahimalanu - greatness

ne - i

pogaḍi - praise

ninne - you

sadhā - always

bhhajana chési - sing in praise of you

mei marachithini - forget myself (deeply engrossed)

Śhrī kānchi puri - place name kanchi

Velayu - resides

kāmākṣhi - goddess name kāmākṣhi

Kaṭākṣhinchi - protect

karuṇa jūḍavammā - show compassion

ammā - mother

 

Oh Mother Kāmākṣhi, the one residing at Kānchipuram, Protect me; be compassionate to me; I forget myself as I keep singing and praising about your greatness.

 

Posted By: Administrator

Rāga: Kadhanakuthūhalam

Tāḷa: Ādhi

Composer: Dr. Bālamuraḷikriṣhṇa

Language: Thelugu


Pallavi:
Nādhiru dhiru dhim thanana nom tha dharadhani n ā dhiru dhiru thom n ā dhiru dhiru thom dhruthillillān ā

Anupallavi:
Thadhara dhāni dhiranā nidha udhara dhāni dhiranā
thakiṭajham ma dha ni thakiṭa jham ga pa sa
thathakiṭa thom sa ni dha pa ma ga ri sa

Charaṇam:
Tharikiṭa thom tharikiṭa thom thajhanuthā tharikiṭa thom tharikiṭa thom thajhanuthā
Thatthari kiṭathaka thaka dhitthaḷāngu thakuthari kiṭathaka thaka dhitthaḷāngu
Thom . . Dhiru dhiru thom dhiru thom
thillāna dhru thillāna dhru thillāna
sa , ri ma ga , ri sa ri , ri ma dha , dha ni ga , ga pa sa , sa ni dha pa ma ga pa ma ga ri

Charaṇam sahithya:
Vadhanamathe virisene adharamathe murisene madhhura gānam adhe nā muraḷi manoharuḍathe
madhana kadhana kuth ūhaluḍu rammane birāna birāna birāna rāve


(repeat charaṇa and the pallavi)

Meaning of charaṇa sāhithyam:

Vadhanamathe virisene adharamathe murisene madhhura gānam adhe nā muraḷi manoharuḍathe

madhana kadhana kuth ūhaluḍu rammane birāna birāna birāna rāve

Vadhanamathe virisene - that face blossomed

adharamathe murisene - that lip rejoiced

madhhura gānam adhe - that is the sweet song

nā muraḷi - my flute

manoharuḍathe - there (stands) my charmer with the flute

madhana kadhana kuth ūhaluḍu - delighted in amorous fights

rammane - beckoned

birāna birāna birāna rāve - come quickly

 

There stands my charmer with the flute, with a sweet song. He delights in amorous fights. My face blossoms and lips rejoice on hearing the sweet notes of his flute and he beckons me to come quickly.

 

Posted By: Administrator

Rāga: Senjuruṭṭi

Thāḷa: Ādhi

Composer: Vīṇa Śheṣhaṇṇa.

Language: Thelugu

Meanings: Indhirā Kaḍambi


Pallavi:

Dhiranā Thana Dhimtha Dhiranā

Dhiranā Thana Dhimtha Dhiranā


Anupallavi:

Nādhirudhiru Thāni Thom Dhirudhiru Thāni Thanom Thanatha

(Dhiran ā)
Thāki ṭa Ki ṭathom Thataki ṭa Thom Thakathom Thakuthari Ki ṭathaka

Thaddhim Thakadhim Jhaṇuthaka Dhim
Thakajhaṇu Thakadhim Kiṇadhim

Thaddhit Thā Thadhinkiṇatom Thakathaḷāngu Thakaṇamthari Tajjhaṇu Thaka
Thillāna Thatharathāni Dhitthillāna Dhiranā Dhiru Dhimitha Dhirana Jhaṇutha Dharana


Charaṇam:

Enni Vidhamugaa Veḍukonḍuraa Ika Thāḷa Jālanura Dayayunncharaa
Ninne Namminānuraa Vinara Suguṇa Sāndhra Śhrī Kriṣhṇa Rājendhra

(Sollka ṭṭu)
Dhitthaḷāngu Thaka Thaḷāngu Thaka Dhitthaḷāngu Ma Dha Pa Ma Ga Ma Dhitthillāna

 

Meaning of the Charaṇa Sāhithyam:

Enni Vidhamuga Veḍukonḍura Ika Thāḷa Jālanura Dayayunchara
Ninne Namminānura Vinara Suguṇa Sāndhra Śhrī Kriṣhṇa Rājendhra

Enni Vidhamuga – In Many Ways;

Veḍukonḍura – Plead You;

Ika – Now;

Thāḷa Jālanura – Can’t Bear;

Dayayunchara – Show Compassion;

Ninne – You;

Nammi – Trust;

Nānura – I; Vinara – Listen;

Suguṇasāndhra – 'Good-Natured; Very Virtuous' ;

Śhrī Kriṣhṇa Rājendhra – Name of King.

O Virtuous King Kriṣhṇa Rājendhra, I have been pleading with you in many ways; I can’t bear it any more now; I trust you; Listen to me and be compassionate.

1 Basanth Bahār click here
2 Brundhāvani click here
3 Dhhanaśhrī click here
4 Hindhoḷam click here
5 Kadhanakuthūhalam click here
6 Senjuruṭṭi click here












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