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JULY, 1876.]
THE RÅJMAHÅL HILLMEN'S SONGS.
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Midst beggars' blessings, richly bought, forth
rode the royal pair: The glad gods rained down flowers, and sounds of music filled the air.
Dohá 110 Then went Himavant most lovingly to escort them, till with many words of consolation Mahadeva bid him return.
Chaupai. Then he came speedily to the palace, called all the gods, entreated them courteously with words and gifts, and allowed them to depart. They proceeded each to his own realm, and Sambhu arrived at Kailâsa. How shall I tell its delights when thus occupied by Sambha and Bhavani, the father and mother of the world, and their attendants? They began to indulge in sport and dalliance, and every day was some new pleasure. Thus a length of time was passed
and the six-headed child (Kartikeya) was born, who vanquished in battle the demon Taraka. His fame is sung by all the sacred books, and his deeds are known throughout the world.
Chhand 17. All the world knows the story of the birth and
the glory of Mahadeva's six-headed son ; And this is the cause why so briefly I pause on
the generous deeds he hath done. Man or maid who shall tell or sing true
and well how Siva took Umâ to wife, Shall be happily wed, and, with blessings bestead, live at ease all the days of his life.
Dohú 111. The ainorous deeds of Girija and her beloved are an ocean-like depth that not even the Veda can sound; how then can an ignorant clown, such as Tulsi Dâs, succeed in describing them?
THE RÂMAHÂL HILLMEN'S SONGS.
BY THE REV. F.T. COLE, TALJHARI, RAJMAHÅL. Colonel Dalton, in his interesting work Lele kalen, ania, The Ethnology of Bengal, says: "I nowhere find Indire aạriso mala." any description of the dances or of the songs of "A necklace of gold I have given to her, the Pahasis." This suggested to my mind the
A necklace of silver I have given to her. idea of sending a few specimens, with rough She said, I will go to him to-morrow; sense-translations appended. I have collected
Why has she not arrived ?" them chiefly from the Pahari young men who
2. Raji majiye gandi thi. sariwa. are being trained as school masters in the Tal.
Sona ti banja tayan. jhari Church Mission school.
Qegho lero sona ti, A great many of their songs are extempore,
Banja tayan. composed by the singer on the spur of the
Kero kero kerojuri, moment. Supposing a friend should invite the
Sona ti banja tayan. poet to a feast, the latter thinks it the correct
« The nobles of the land have little bodies, thing to celebrate his host's praises in song after dinner. The Paharis are very clever at
But they deck themselves with gold.
We will deck you out with gold, - composition, and one chorus, with very little alteration, will answer the singer's purpose on
Yes, indeed, we will deck you out with
gold." many occasions.
It is very noticeable that the Paharis of the 3. "Bamasa menoti dinon thi bechiya, RÂjmahal district are not nearly so fond of Oya moqi ki mundiya. singing and dancing as those of the south. In Qegho lero oye moqi ki mundiya. the villages near Rájmahal I have not seen any Ino juran ano maqo, special places set apart for dancing, as are to Oye moqi ki mundiya." be found to the south-west.
“There was a man who wished to be a 1. " Sonani sajeni chicheken,
Brahman, Rupani sajeni chicheken,
He abstained from meat for many days,
• Th in Pahapi is pronounced the same as in the English word "the."
