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JOLY, 1926 )
MARRIAGE SONGS IN NORTHERN INDIA
MARRIAGE SONGS IN NORTHERN INDIA. From THE COLLECTION MADE BY THE LATR DR. W. CROOKE, C.L.E., D.O.L., F.BA.
(Continued from page 107.)
IV.
Nahachhu Songs. These songs are sung at the ceremony of paring the nails of the bridegroom (mundan).
1. Nahach hu Song sung at the Nall-paring Ceremony. This song comes from a village in the Mainpuri District, as recorded by a teacher in the School.
Text.
Hari dariai ko jajim jharf bichhalye. Baithe kunwar to chår, to nahanchhd hot haii. Ghar ghar phiratt, nauniya, nagar jagAlye : “Aja Ramji ko nahanchhô sab ghar jalye." Kaha dino hath mundariya, abharan, ratan jaralye. Kekai ne diyo hath ko kangan : Kaushalyd diyo pahir&wo : bahut aknog diyo. Khush hoke ghar jAfye.
Translation. Spread a green carpet : shake off the dust : The four young princes have sat down and the nail-paring begins. Go, barber's wife, round all the houses in the city : "To day is Ram's nail-paring: come, every house." So gave her finger-rings studded with ornaments and gems. Kekaf gave a bracelet and Kaushalys an ornament, and many priceless gems.
Go happy to your homes. 2. Nahaohhu Song attributed to Tulaal Das, and recorded by Ramghartb Chaubo.
This is a popular version of a Nahachhu Song attributed to the great seventeenth century poet and reformer, Tulasi Das, which he is said to have composed for the women of the Bhadaini Maballa of Benares. It is very popular in Northern India and has been printed frequently by vernacular presses. It is in very fine spirited verse, and its popularity is probably due to the fact that it can be used as a memoria technica of the whole ceremony.
Text. Adi sarda Ganpati Gaur mandiya ho. Ram lala kar nahaohhu gây sundiya he.
Jehi gkin sidhf hoy; param pad paiya ho. Koti janam ko patak durf so jaiya ho. Kotin bajan bajain Dasrath ke griha ho. Deo lok sab dekhahin Anad ati hiya ho. Nagar soh&wan lagat barani na jatai ho. Kausalya ke harkh na hriday samatai ho. Alehi bana ke mando manigan puran ho.
Motinh jkalar IAgi chahun disi jhulan bo. 4. The allusion throughout is to Rama's wedding with Sit A, and the ladies mentioned, Kekai and Kaushalya, belong to the legend.
