Indian Antiquary Vol 55

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Stephen Meredyth Edwardes, Krishnaswami Aiyangar
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 97

86
MARRIAGE SONGS IN NORTHERN INDIA
Max, 1920)
Sanjhahii dansiya phandin bidwa karaió na ho. "Bhorahin chhorainlin mor des dhiya bhailin pahun na ho."
Translation. To-day at night the drums are being played: the result of the walking round the
firelo is come. Up, princess; the time for departure has arrived. Mother11 is weeping and her tears fall, as falls the rain in Sawan? (Says mother): "Alas, my breast must be of iron that I can bear my daughter's
beooming but a guest in my house." My mother goes to my father and reverences him :"The day has dawned, so call the barber's wife and dye my daughter's feet" 18 My brother's wife is standing in the room weeping copiously. In the evening my husband got ready the palankeen and I bade adieu to my
parents. (Said my mother)"My daughter forsook my home in the morning and is now
but a guest in my house." ; 8. The Barhår song, sung when the bridegroom's procession (Barat) goes to dine
at the bride's house. On the second day after the marriage the bridegroom goes in procession at noon or in the evening to dine at the bride's house. In the Eastern Districts this is called khichari khand, or the day itself is called Bayhar ka din, the day of the Great Feast.
Text. Main ton sen puchhailoi ghuawa nari&r; kaun biraud se jorale saneh ! Jar mor gailan, “Patalpur meú chandan biranå se joraliü saneh." Main ton se puchhailon ; "Janak Raja Kawan samadhiyê se jorale saneh ? Jas mor ropailii : "Sital Rani Raja Dasrath samadhiya se jorile saneh."
. Translation. I ask thee, cocoa-nut tree, a riddle: with what plant hast thou entered into relationship? The tree replied: "In the Lower Regions (Pat Ala) I made friends with the sandal
wood." I ask thee again : with which father-in-law did Raja Janak entor into relationship? The tree replied : “Sital Rani and I made friends with Raja Dasrath as fatherin-law."14. -
II. Some marriage songs of the Chaube Brahmans of Mathura. This incomplete set of three songs was recorded by Prag Das Chaube of the Town School, Itawa. It will be observed that these Brahman songs are more modern in form and more poetical than those recorded from Mirzapur. It will also be observed that final vowels are unstable, d, o, e, and even u: perhaps on account of accent and rhythm in singing.
10 An Ossential point in the marriage ceremony. 11 The bride is supposed to be speaking throughout this song. 13 August the wet month. 13 With the auspicious dye called mchawdr. 14 The song here seems to follow the old Indian custom of asking and answering stock riddles.