The courtyard of Itum Bahal near where Rajamati lived.
The water spout of Maruhiti where Rajamati famously fell flat on her back.

"Rājamati" (Nepali: राजमति) is a traditional Nepalese ballad about an unsuccessful love quest, and is the most well known song in Newar society of Nepal.[1] Written by an unnamed composer, it dates from the early 19th century and is based on a true story.

The song in Nepal Bhasa also gained fame because it was played in London during the state visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana to England in 1850.[2] [3]

It was first recorded on gramophone disc by maestro Seturam Shrestha in Kolkata in 1908. A movie of the same name and based on the story of the song was released in 1995.[4]

Synopsis

Rajamati is the name of a girl from Kathmandu whose beauty attracted many suitors. However, a devious matchmaker gets her married off despite her protests, and she ends up in a poor family. Rajamati was born at Taha Nani in Itum Bahal, a historical neighborhood in central Kathmandu.[5][6]

In the song, an infatuated man expresses his love for Rajamati, and threatens to leave home and go to Kashi and become an ascetic if he doesn't get to marry her. Then he describes her hair, eyes, complexion and moles on the cheek. The song also mentions a celebrated episode connected with Rajamati, how she went to fetch water from the water spout at Maruhiti and tripped on a large stone and fell flat on her back.[2]

Evidence of a real Rajamati

Artist Uday Charan Shrestha created a painting of Rajamati in 1995. His research started in 1993 and after two years he finished his oil canvas after working on it for almost 6 months. A poster of the work was published in 1996 in the Samdhyatimes on the occasion of Nepal Sambat new year. During his research the artist found evidence from Archaeology Department of Nepal Government. Rajamati bada widow woman sold 64 moharu of her house of Taabaa, which is located at lagan in 1884 BS (1827 AD). Wilawati Bada (son) and Bhajumati Bada (uncle in law) witnessed the sale. Similarly Guthi land (dyaguthi) also sold in 1892 BS (1835 AD) of 60 moharu.

Movie

A movie of the same name and based on the song and directed by Neer Shah was released in 1995. It is the second big screen film to be made in Nepal Bhasa.[7] Prem Dhoj Pradhan composed and sang Rajamati song in his own style, and sang in various stages and functions for many many years, which made it very popular. He recorded Rajamati song in 1962 in Calcutta, India, on a 78 rpm gramophone disc.[8] Since then, the song has been recorded by many artists.

Lyrics

Rājamati kumati, jike wasā pirati
Hāya bābā Rājamati-chā
Rājamati mabila dhāsā Kāshi wane tela bubā
Hayā biu Rājamati-chā.
San dhāsā kuli kuli, mikhā dhāsā bālā bālā
Sakumi yā mhyāy machā lā
Khwā dhāsā tuyu khwā, khwālay niga tee du
Tāhā Nani yā Rājamati-chā.
Khen khwalā dhyākway dan, pasa baji dhu dan
Rājamati bhulu sulu dan
Rājamati gana du, Itum Bāhālay chhamha du
Hayā biu Rājamati-chā.
Nhāpā wamha Tarhi Thakun, lipā wamha Chirhi Thakun
Wayā lipā Rājamati-chā
Tarhi Thakun mayo jita, Chirhi Thakun mile maju
Rājamati byāhā yānā biu.
Tarhi Thakun yā tāyo du, Chirhi Thakun yā pāyo du
Rājamati yā bijakani du
Bijakani marumha, kalā jita mayo bubā
Hayā biu Rājamati-chā.
Thane yā Thahiti, kwane yā Kwahiti
Biche lāka Maruhiti
Maruhitii la kā wamha, tagwa lohantay luphin hānā
Rājamati thasa pāla nhā.
Tisā nan tiyakā, Gujerati puyakā
Rājamati bhyāhā yānā biu
Rājamati bila dhāsā Kāshi wane makhu bubā
Hayā biu Rājamati-chā.[9]

Translation

Rajamati kumati, if you come to me I will give you my love
Oh dear Rajamati.
If Rajamati is not given to me, I will go to Kashi, father
Bring me dear Rajamati.
The hair is curly, the eyes are beautiful
Is she the daughter of a man from Sankhu?
The face is fair, there are two moles on the face
Dear Rajamati of Taha Nani.
There are egg shells in the corner, rice flakes from the market have been ground to dust
Rajamati's hair is dishevelled.
Where is Rajamati, there is one in Itum Bahal
Bring me dear Rajamati.
The girl in front is Tarhi Thakun, the one following her is Chirhi Thakun
Dear Rajamati is behind her.
I don't like Tarhi Thakun, Chirhi Thakun is not suitable
Get me married to Rajamati.
Tarhi Thakun has a "tāyo" locket, Chirhi Thakun has anklets
Rajamati has ear ornaments.
I do not want a wife without ear ornaments
Bring me dear Rajamati.
Thahiti of uptown, Kwahiti of downtown
Between them lies Maruhiti.
She went to Maruhiti to fetch water and tripped on a large stone
Rajamati fell flat on her back.
Decorate her with jewellery, let flutes play
Marry me with Rajamati.
If Rajamati is given to me, I will not go to Kashi, father
Bring me dear Rajamati.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Grandin, Ingemar (1989). Music and media in local life: Music practice in a Newar neighbourhood in Nepal. Linköping University. ISBN 9178704804, 9789178704804. Page 89.
  2. 1 2 Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 81-208-0963-7. Page 42.
  3. ↑ Bisht, Kapil (November 2011). "A walk into the heritage" (PDF). ECS Nepal. Retrieved 2 July 2012. Page 66.
  4. ↑ "Rajamati". Nepali Movies. 29 April 201. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "Kathmandu kaleidoscope". Walking tours. Kathmandu: MD Publishing Co. 2000. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  6. ↑ "Know your city". The Kathmandu Post. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  7. ↑ "Rajamati". Nepali Movies. 29 April 201. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Prem Dhoj Pradhan". Artist Nepal. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  9. ↑ Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of :Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 81-208-0963-7. Page 141.
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