________________
NOVEMBER 1925]
A VERSION OF HIR AND RANJHA
Hir, the Jaṭṭi, struck Kaido And beat him severely.
Translation.
Kaido took the food and came to Chûchak,
And told him all his tale regarding Hîr.
Hearing about Hir Chûchak was distressed
And his colour became red with rage.
[Says Asâ] Singh: When Rânjhâ came back to the village driving the buffaloes, Chûchak turned his herdsman out of the house.
Toe.
Taur phirya tadoù Chûchake dâ, Jadan bhaiyâu ne kitâ tang, lokou. Baith Hir de vihâh di gal karde.
Nåle sochde mand-then chang, lokon. Sunke Kheriâi-ne bhej nâî dittâ ;
Kahia: "Saide sang karnâi je ang, lokoù ? Singha! Hir sang Saide mangai Chuchak. Hoya Ranjhne da zarad rang, lokon.
Translation.
Then Chuchak's intentions changed,
When the brotherhood pressed him hard, good people.
He set to work to make a marriage for Hîr.
Much he thought in sadness, good people!
On hearing this the Kheris sent a barber
And said: "Do you wish to make a betrothal with Saida ? "
[Says Asa] Singh: Chûchak betrothed Hir to Saida,
And Ranjha's colour became yellow, good people!
Zos.
Zulm kitâ bap Hîr de ne Dittî Saide-nui Hir vihâh, lokoi. Ratti vas nachale Ranjhetre då: Dinen rät bhardâ thande sâh, lokon. Hîr Kherîyan di dolî nâha chardi. Ate maranda rakhdî châh, lokon. Mahin waste Chûchake minnat kîtî: Ranjha chalia ho hamråh, lokoй.
Translation.
With great harshness Hir's father Gave her in marriage to Saida. Ranjha's blood would not flow in his veins : Day and night he heaved cold sighs.
Hir refused to mount the Kheris' palanquin And wished to die, good people.
213
She begged Chûchak for a month's grace, Ranjha went along with her, good people.