NAGMA's BANGLES--PART ONE --A TRUE STORY

NAGMA'S BANGLES---PART ONE
June 1961 " Oye, 'ANGREZ'! Chalana 'PAKISTANANNI nuN Vekhan?" ( Hey, You 'Englishman' ! Would you like to come with us to see the woman from Pakistan), Dilawar had asked his friend Rajinder, who had come on summer vacation from Jalandhar? Both had been good village friends till Rajinder had left for Jalandhar with his parents in March 1960. Rajinder had joined a school in Jallandhar, where they taught English right from 1st standard--It was not realy an Endglish medium school, but ND VICTOR High School had all the aura of an English school. Whenever he had come to his village Balachaur, Rajinder showed off his English knowledge to these village boys, like Dilawar and Partap, who were not only his old class mates but also fast friends. "Pakistananni--- Uh ki kar rahi hai Balachaur vich ?" ( Pakistani woman? What is she doing in Balachaur?) Rajinder had asked. (NOTE: All conversation was always in Punjabi. But we will now switch over to English for the ease of understanding of various readers.) "Her name is Ashgari, they say. All elders talk in hush-hush tone about her. She has come to Baba VIDHI CHAND's house. I have heard people talking that she was in love with his son, uncle, Bharat Singh, when she left for Pakistan in 1947" Partap, another friend, had given the connected information. " 1947? We were not born even then. What has she come now for?" Rajinder had wanted to know. " How does it matter to us? Let us see as to how do the PAKISTANIS look?" Dilawar had intervened. " What do you mean by asking as to how do the Pakistani look? She must be like us only--didn't you hear Partap saying that she had gone away only in 1947/" Rajinder showed his annoyance to Dilawar. "OK--if you want to come, welcome, else we are leaving" so saying Dilawar and Partap moved away. Rajinder , too followed them. As soon as they reached Baba Vidhi Chand's house, they found the house congested with village women. Everyone was curious to meet this woman who had come from Pakistan to meet her ex-lover in India. It was a strange re-union. She was not at all embarassed, nor was uncle Bharat Singh and his wife. In fact, it was uncle Bharat Singh's wife, aunt to Dilawar Partap and Rajinder, who was introducing every one to Ashgari. On being asked by village ladies about her family and home in Pakistan, she briefly gave out a very touching and moving story about her move from Balachaur to Pakistan. She did not want to go as she was madly in love with Bharat Singh. But she was forcibly taken away by her parents and brothers. One of her brother Yousuf was in he army as a VCO (Viceroy Commissioned Officer), equiavalent of JCO rank today. (He later got commission in Pakistan army and retired as a Brigadier in 1973). They had left under police protection from their camp at Balachaur. But by the time they had reached 'Wagah' border, her parents and two brothers were killed in an attack by armed 'thugs' at Phillaur. At Jandiala Guru, near Amritsar, she lost her two sisters, who were forcibly taken by some armed Sikhs---She had escaped as she lay persumed 'dead' along with her elder brother Rehmat Ali---who too pretended 'death'. When she narrated this story--there were tears in her eyes---she was sad but she had no ill-feelings because she saw more heinous crimes against the Hindus and Sikhs across the border. She was, of course, bitter about partition. Asghari lived with her brother Rehmat Ali in the Model town locality of Lahore. Her other surviving brother was in the army. Rehmat Ali had opened a cloth shop in Hira Mandi of Lahore--famous for the 'nautch girls' or the 'KOTHEWALIS'. When asked if she had met in Lahore any one else from Balachaur, she replied in affirmative. She said that her name was NAGMA. All elderly village ladies said in a loud chorus, " Oh, Nagma--Nuroo Teli's daughter?'" . There was some kind of naughty mischief in their chorus. Then Ashgari let out as to how she established contact with Nagma. One day at about 7 PM in the evening in the year 1959, as Rehmat Ali was closing the shop, a lady's voice accosted him. " Huzoor, Salaamalekum" ( Sir, my respects to you!) Rehmat Ali turned and found a lady in a black veil (Burqa). " Baalekum salaam, Mohtarama (I reciprocate, dear lady)! who are you?" Rehmat asked her. " Sir, I am Nagma---------Nagma, daughter of Nooruddin 'Teli' of Balachaur---India " the lady had blabbered out. " Nagma, I see----------Nagma---------Nooruddin 'Teli' ---oh, yea---Nagma---what are you doing here-----You had married--Lambardarni (wife of a village Numberdar) Hakam Devi's Son' ------what did they call her BHAGTANI- (a pious and a religious lady)------Yea, BHAGTANI's son----what was his name 'RAI SINGH'---he had converted-----he had come with you--------didn't he?" Rehmat Ali suddenly remembered everything. " Sir----it is a long story---will tell you some time later -- I had been seeing you for some days ---I had recognised you---but I did not have the guts to ask you--- Today, after great delibrations in my mind, I mustered all the courage to ask you." Nagma had replied. " So, what are you doing here ? Come home some times---I am staying with Ashgari, my sister, at 343 Model Town, Lahore." Rehmat Ali had said. " I am working at Shamima Begum's Kotha---I had no choice----" saying so,she stunned Rehmat Ali and started started crying. Rehmat Ali bid her good bye quitely but felt pity on her. He had known Noorudin 'Teli' as a successful trader of Balachaur. Nagma was popular for her beauty amongst the Muslim, as well as Hindu boys of her age. She was of course an object of their desire. But her love affair with Rai Singh had disheartened everyone. When he came home he told Ashgari about NAGMA. Ashgari had met Nagma the next day and learnt her story. They kept meeting like this till----------. When , one day, Ashgari decided to visit India, Nagma had asked her to take a present for her ex-lover, Rai Singh-------Bhagtani's son. Thus, Ashgari told the gathered crowd of women that she had brought a present for BHAGTANI's son, Rai Singh, from Nagma. Elderly ladies present there began to murmur and some really laughed it out. When Bharat Singh, ex-paramour of Ashgari, was introducing the trio of Dilawar , Partap and Rajinder, he told her about their parents--She knew them all. As soon as he said that Rajinder was BHAGTANI's Grand Son, she just jumped and said, " Come, come! I have brought a gift for your uncle Rai Singh---give it to him only." So saying she handed over a letter and a packet wrapped up in a URDU News paper. Even the hand written letter was in URDU. Rajinder had quietly accepted this. When Rajinder came back home, he handed over the letter and the packet to his grand ma. Surprisingly, when she opened the packet, she found bangles. This was too much and BHAGTANI was furious. She became abusive with anger and RAJINDER had never seen this side of his grand ma for the last eight/nine years---at least not since 1953. She was cursing Rai Singh and Nagma both. He asked his grandma as to what was wrong but she would not tell him.
He quitely took the letter away from the grand ma. He could make out there was something wrong---as his uncle, Rai Singh, was married to his mother's younger sister---his MAASI------it could lead to some serious tension in the family. Thankfully, MAASI had gone to her parents along with Rajinder's cousins. He contacted Partap and went back to Uncle Bharat singh to have that URDU NOTE by NAGMA read to them. He read: " Zalim Te Jhoothe Rai Singh (Cruel and liar Rai singh)---you are not a man---you are a eunuch--- I am sending bangles to you ----Do you recognise them----put them on, you coward----you deserve them more than me---You are responsible for my fate---I shall never excuse you---If there was God, He will seek my revenge for your betrayal-------------------." This is how the letter kept on cursing Rai Singh. And it was one full page of some chosen Punjabi abuses alongwith emotional outbusrsts of such words as "KUTTA" (Dog), KAMEENA" (Rascal) "HARAAMI" (Bastard). Most of those abuses were for BHAGTANI and RAI SINGH and, of course, UNPRINTABLE. Rajnder, then asked Uncle Bharat singh the story of Nagma and his own paternal uncle Rai Singh. The story started with a flash back to 1946 . It began with the mischief of four friends. Mischief was about the use of 'MOHNI MANTRA' (APHORMISM FOR ENTICING GIRLS) @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ September 1946 Kamal Singh, nicknamed 'Goga', had four friends---who had actually formed a music group. One of them was Satpal Singh Sodhi ---also called CHHATANKOO(Little fellow) because of his height and short size but he was very naughty and mischievous. He was the son of Vijay Singh Sodhi. He used to be the master of ceremonies ( MC) for the music group. They called him 'announcer' in those days. Then, they had ASHA RAM BHOOTNA--he was the TABLA PLAYER. 'Bhootna' was his family's nick name because of the colour complexion of the male members.People said that they had looked like ghosts. He was a very quite type of fellow. Another fellow wasTARSEM SINGH, who used to sing and play harmonium along with Rai Singh. He was the son of Darab singh, a cousin of Baba Vidhi Chand. Tarsem was also the father of Partap, Rajinder's friend. The main head of the group was Rai Singh--who used to not only sing but also compose music and write lyrics. Rai Singh was the grandson of LEHNA SINGH--a very famous landlord and YES-MAN of Britishers --he was given the honorary rank of the equiavalent of a 'Court registrar' for all land dispute cases. He was called 'safed posh' (dressed in whites). It is alleged that he had acquired a lot of land from innocent people through his manipulations. Somehow, he could not pull on with his only son Badan singh, married to HAKAM DEVI, also called BHAGTANI (pious and a religious lady) by the villagers. Badan singh had four sons from Hakam devi---Rai Singh was the third. After the death of Lehna Singh in 1928 and Badan Singh in 1934, the family ran into financial problems and thus two elder brothers of Rai Singh left studies and had to join the military service.Despite financial problems, Mrs Hakam Devi, refused to take charge of ill-acquired properties by her father-in-law. Rai Singh,too,left studies. He was very fond of singing. When he became 15, around 1940, he started playing harmonium and formed a music group with some of his village friends. It was this music group, which Kamal Singh 'Goga' had approached to help him in winning the heart of NAGMA. They all belonged to a village called Balachaur, then in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab.The village was a hub of Kachhwaha (or Kushwaha) Rajputs of Punjab, who migrated to Punjab from Rajasthan around mid sixteenth century. It is said that they were the descendants of Lord Rama's second son KUSH , who had set up the kingdom of KASUR (now in Pakistan). Some historical records say that Lord Rama's elder son, LUV, had set up the kingdom of LAHORE (Pakistan) As time elapsed, the Kachhwaha or Kushwahas of KASUR, migrated to Central India---the story of AMBER KINGDOM of Kachhwahas is very famous. From here they came to Rajasthan----Jaipur Area. During the Moghul period, two noble brothers of the Kachhwaha clan came to Punjab from Jaipur. On a decree from Subedar(Governor) of Sirhind (Punjab of those days), they set up their fiefdom---which included some 360 villages each on the North and South Bank of River Satluj. As, as per the decree of the SUBEDAR , they had rounded up this land on a 'horse back 'in one day, as such they were also called GHODE WAHA (Horse Riders). 'Ghodewaha Rajputs' of this clan are found in abundance in Pakistan. The Muslim community of Balachaur was only of low castes such as TELI (OIL SQUEEZERS), LOHAR ( IRON-SMITHS) and TARKHANS (CARPENTERS). Some of them were very rich and had flourishing business in their ancestral profession. It is said that they had all converted at some point from their Hindu subcastes. Ironically, even after conversion they were treated like their previous castes. Muslim Rajputs did not accept them as their equals. Nooruddin TELI of Balachaur was a florishing tradesman in different kind of oils. He was a rich man. He had three daughters and two sons. Nagma was the youngest of them all. In April 1946, she must be around 19 years old. She was very beautiful and became the cynosure of the boys of her age. One such boy was Kamal Singh GOGA. He was enamoured by the girl so much that he could do anything to possess her. As soon as he approached Rai Singh and his group, Satapal, CHHATANKOO,thought of a mischief. He told him that he had known an OLD SAGE who gives MOHNI MANTRA for winning the hearts of the girls. His aphormisms were sure shot winners. He can take him there. He was asked to reach 'SAI DA TAKIA' ( SUFI SAINT's RESTING PLACE) around 10 PM at night. This structure was located at a desolate place over a hillock where there was a tomb of a sufi saint. It was generally famous for drug addicts who consumed opium and charas. 'Chataankoo' asked Rai Singh to become the 'BABA' and other two to pose as his disciples. As they all used to perform in RAMLILA (Enactment of Hindu Epic Ramayana), they had all the gear to disguise as SADHUS ( Holymen). 'Chhatankoo' took Goga there at night. The drama was played to perfection. After a lot of pleas by GOGA---'Fake Saint Rai Singh' handed over a human skull to him with some human hairs and a packet of ash. 'Goga' was told that he should go and keep the skull in front of Nagma's house, fill it up with cow -dung , vermillion, tamrind and one yard of black cloth. He was assured that the skull, if kept properly there, would force NAGMA to come out of the house. He was asked to throw the ash on her, when she comes out and shout " BOM BOM BOLE -ALLAH HO AKBAR". Poor Goga reached Nagma's house early next morning. He placed the skull as was advised. He waited for Nagma to come. After 15 minutes or so the door opened and Nagma's father, Nooruddin came out. Without realising that it was not NAGMA but Noorudin, Kamal Singh Goga threw the ash on him and shouted BOM BOM BOLE--ALLA HO AKBAR. Noorudin was stunned but caught hold of Goga, who , too, was in a state of shock after seeing Noorudin. The matter was reported to village panchayat. On investigation, it came to light that the mischief was the brain work of Rai Singh and his musical group. Goga was punished--his face was blackened and, mounted on a donkey, was taken around the village by village elders. Thereafter, kamal singh Goga left the village and went to KOLKOTTA---he married there and settled. (He came back in 1964 to give his share of property to his younger brother--Kapil Singh---thereafter he never ever returned---persumably died there.) The music group was also punished--they were asked to applogise to Noorudin in front of whole Panchayat and village elders. The music group expelled 'Chhatankoo' and made 'Mohna' a new member. Tarsem Singh, took over the function of 'Announcer'. One day music group was rehearsing for a song in the HAVELI of Rai Singh. It was written and composed by Rai Singh. The words of the songs were, " ASI MAR GAYE TERI JAWANI TE, HUNh KAHNU TU SHIKAYATAn LAANDI NI" (We have sacrificed ourselves on your youthful beauty; there is no use complaining against us, dear girl!). As luck would have it, NAGMA and her mother passed by the Haveli at that precise moment. Nagma's mother thought RAI SINGH was trying to tease her daughter. She became angry and decided to complain to his mother, Bhagtani. Next day, Nagma's mother and Nagma came to complain to Bhagtani . She was busy with her religious rituals. Both of them met NOORO , the maid servant and Sarbrati Bhrai, her brother. When they announced their purpose of visit---Sarbrati Bhrai---started laughing. He told the duo that Rai Singh was actually a singer and a harmonium player and he daily practises singing. He also told that his group had often sung at 'Ram Lila' (Enacting Of Hindu Epic Ramayana), Mushairas ( A function to recite Urdu Poems) and various other cultural functions. In the mean while, Rai Singh came home from his haveli. He was surprised to see them there. When Sarbrati Bhrai explained their visit, he was shocked. He , then , explained that the said song he was preparing for the 'ROSHNI' (A 'Sufiana' festival of light, sound and music) which was due in the 'SAI DA TAKIA' in a few days time. (This function used to last for 15 days-----It used to be day and night entertainment for the village folks---Women folk used to attend during day time only----it used to be a gathering of Urdu poets, plays by 'Nakalchi'- persons who copy others and the singing troupes, like that of Rai Singh. It used to great fun. Even in the 60s, Roshni festival used to take place). During the 'ROSHNI' festival, Rai Singh's group performed a number of songs. Somehow,Nagma listened to him and became his fan. The fact was that she was also very fond of singing. Despite stiff resistance from the families, Nagma too became the lady singer with the group. Nagma and Rai Singh's duets became very famous in the region. One of their many duets, which gave indication of mutual infatuation between the two initially, ran like this; Male: Hoor-e kar laiye ni mere naal viaah, ki munda maiN lambadaN da! Ki munda maiN LambadaN da (Listen, O' beautiful woman, you better marry me, For, I am a boy from the Numberdar family,--- For--------) Female: Bhull jaa ve tu hoor naal viaah, ki munda tu taN kalaa siaah? Ki munda tu taN kaala siaah ? (Forget your marriage with the beautiful woman, for, you are a dark complexioned boy-----for-------) Male : Mere piyar de rang tu vekh, kaale rang te kudiye na ja; ki dil mera sone varga. Ki dil mera sone varga (You better consider the colors of my love and don't go by by my dark comlexion, afterall, I have a golden heart------I have a------.) Female: Ki karangi sone da dil, jihda banda na koyi gehna; ki munda tu nahi kise kumm da---Ki munda tu nahi kise kumm da? (What am I going to do with a golden heart ,which is no good for making any ornament? You are of no use, O'boy---you are of ------) Male;XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Female: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX This duet was a normal dialogue of taunts between a Punjabi Boy and a girl in those days.Over the next few months , the pair became famous for not only singing but also for the flourishing love between the two. Girl's parents initially objected but they gave in because they saw an opportunity in this to avoid the dislocation of the family due to much talked about separate 'home land ' for Muslims---which might lead to their moving out of Balachaur. Noorudin had a good business and he did not want to go. Though, he was a Muslim but still of a low caste and he saw an opportunity in this to seek equality with Muslim Rajputs of the area as Rai Singh's family was a reputed Rajput family. But Rajput community, both Hindu and Muslims, strongly objected to it. They could not do much because Balachaur Police station, in those days was full of Muslims and the SHO, (Station House Officer), Inspector, Mohammed Faisal, himself was a TELI .It is said that he only had advised Noorudin to bless this marriage, keeping in mind the coming political storm , as this was a Hindu dominated village in the region. Therefore Nagma's family showed no remorse in the much talked about love-affair of the village. Also, Rai Singh, around 21 years old, then, plus young and brash, did not listen to anyone--not even his own mother. His friends also helped them. Strangely, though 'Bhagtani' objected to this love affair and the impending marriage but she did not prevail upon her son strongly to desist from this marriage. She just outwardly protested. she did not even inform her two elder sons who were serving in the military as VCOs. They came to know of the incident much later in 1948, when they had both come on leave.It seems Nagma and Rai Singh had secretly married in March/April 1947, according to Muslim traditions, with the help of Noorudin but it was never made public. ByJune 1947, socio-politico environs had been vitiated and communal tension was mounting. It seems Rajput community, both Hindu and Muslims, held a convention at JADLA, another Hindu Rajput village-----some 8-9 Kms South West of Balachaur, in June 1947. The Muslim Rajputs were in majority but still Hindu rajputs requested them not to dislocate to Pakistan---if need be they would be accepted in the Hindu fold again. But Rao 'Sahib' of AASRON village, near Ropar, did not agree. He was a very big landlord and respected amongst the Kachhwaha Rajpputs of the region.(Major General Rao Farman Ali , Chief of staff of Pakistan Army in East Pakistan in 1971, was the son of the Rao of AASROn). Rao sahib's polite rejection to re-convert, led to passing of a resolution which declared that Hindu Rajputs would provide protection to their brethern amongst the Muslims, during transition period.
----------------------CONTINUED IN PART 'TWO'