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Heer-Ranjha
click on name to read the entire story
Heer & Ranjha is the most famous true
love story of Indian & Pakistani history. Similar to Shakespear's
Romeo and juliet it tells a story of two Muslim lovers "Heer Saleti"
& "Dido Ranjah"; whose families were in conflict with one
another and became seperated for many years. Heer is known to have been
an extemely beautiful woman with a wealthy father named "Chuchak".
Ranjha was the youngest of 4 brothers, all of which were married except
him. In his late teens he set of to find work in a distant village where
he found Chuchak who offered him a job to take care of his cattle. Having
met Ranjha, Heer became mesmerised by the way played the flute and eventually
fell in love with him. They would meet each other secrectly for many years
until they were caught by her parents and found who Dido really was. Heer
was married against her will to another man, while Ranjha was left broken
hearted and left to walk the quiet villages on his own until eventually
met Gorak, a Jogi (devoted beleiver in God). Having entering Gorak'sTilla(
Shrine) Dido could only see his departed lover and being emotionally scared
he voluntarally became a Jogi. Reciting the name of the lord on his travels
around the Punjab he found the vllage of "Kher" where he was
reunited with his devoted lover. They both escaped and came back to Heer's
Village, where her parents agreed to their marriage and end the conflict
between the two families. The marriage preparartions went well. but on
the wedding day, Heer's jealous uncle, "Kedoh" (who was a limp
having been beaten by Ranjha's brothers many years earlier) poisoned her
so the wedding wouldn't take place. Having heard the news Dido rushed
to aid Heer but was too late as she died in his arms, but tragicly becoming
broken hearted once again, Dido also died holding Heer to his chest.
HEER
RANJHA
Waris Shah’s composition, the love story of Heer Ranjha takes a pre-eminent
place, in what may be called the ‘qissa’ literature of Punjab.
It is the story of the youngman and a youngwomen, which did not receive
the sanction of society in the shape of marriage, a major theme of literature,
music, dance and drama not only in Punjab, but everywhere in the world.
The story performed in the form of an opera as well as a ballet is very
typical. Heer was the daughter of a feudal landlord Chuchak Sial from
Jhang. Before her sacrifice for Ranjha, she proved herself to be a very
courageous and daring young girl. It is said that Sardar (Chief) Noora
from the Sambal community, had a really beautiful boat made and appointed
a boatman called Luddan. Noora was very ruthless with his employees. Due
to the ill treatment one day Luddan ran away with the boat and begged
Heer for refuge. Heer gave him moral support as well as shelter.
Sardar Noora was enraged at this incident. He summoned his friends and
set off to catch Luddan. Heer collected an army of her friends and confronted
Sardar Noora and defeated him. When Heer’s brothers learnt of this
incident they told her,"If a mishap had befallen you why didn’t
you send for us?" To which Heer replied," What was the need
to send for all of you? Emperor Akbar had not attacked us."
It is the same Heer who, when she is in love with Ranjha, sacrifices
her life for him and says, " Saying Ranjha, Ranjha all time I myself
have become Ranjha.
No one should call me Heer, call me Dheedho Ranjha."
When Heer’s parents arranged her marriage much against her wishes,
with a member of the house of Khaidon, it is Heer who plucks up courage
during the wedding ceremony and reprimands the Kazi (priest)." Kazi,
I was married in the presence of Nabi (Prophet). When did God give you
the authority to perform my marriage ceremony again and annul my first
marriage? The tragedy is that people like you are easily bribed to sell
their faith and religion. But I will keep my promise till I go to the
grave."
Heer is forcibly married to Khaidon but she cannot forget Ranjha. She
sends a message to him. He comes in the garb of a jogi (ascetic) and takes
her away. When Heer’s parents hear about the elopement they repent
and send for both of them promising t get Heer married to Ranjha. But
Heer’s uncle Khaidon betrays them and poisons Heer.
In this love tale Heer and Ranjha do not have the good fortune of making
a home. But in the folklore sung by the ladies, Heer and Ranjha always
enjoyed a happy married life.
It was Heer’s strong conviction, which has placed this tragic romantic
tale on the prestigious pedestal along with Punjab’s religious poetry.
More on Heer Ranjha
Sunday, August 22, 1999
Legendary poet of Punjab
By Narinder S. Kapoor
Sun
Wanjli Di Mithrri Taan Wey REAL AUDIO SONG from a film of HEER RANJHA
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