The Tale of Sohni Mahiwal is one of four popular tragic love legends (Qisse) of Panjab. Almost every Panjabi person will be familiar with the iconic painting of Sohni Mahiwal by the late artist, Sobha Singh.
This star-crossed tale is not just about two lovers yearning to be united against all odds. This tale is written from the Sufi lens (the mystical tradition of Islam), whereby the Earthly love (Ishq e Majazi) between two mortals represents the longing to be merged with the Beloved Divine (Ishq e Haqiqi). The purpose of Earthly love is to transcend duality through the annihilation of the Ego/the Self (Fanaa). As per Sufi philosophy, when the Ego is vanquished, One enters into a state of permanence (Baqaa) with the Beloved. There is no 'I'. There is only Oneness.
In the tale of Sohni Mahiwal, the river Chenab symbolises the obstacle between the two lovers. Sohni cannot swim. Yet, night after night, she enters into the river (using a baked earthen water-pitcher as a float) to meet Mahiwal on the other side of the riverbank. One night, against the backdrop of a monsoon downpour, Sohni's sister-in-law wickedly replaces the baked water-pitcher for an unbaked one. Nonetheless, a determined Sohni attempts to cross the river in high tide, using the ill-fated water-pitcher. Ultimately she meets her end, drowning in the Chenab. On hearing Sohni's cries, Mahiwal jumps into the raging river to save her. Alas, he too meets his mortal end. In this way, Sohni Mahiwal both become united in death. They both become One, in the river of Love.
The contemporary Panjabi song 'Boohe Baariya', references the Tale of Sohni Mahiwal; specifically the unbaked earthen water-pitcher. There are many obstacles on the path of Love - and a True Devotee will do whatever it takes to experience the ecstasy of union with the Beloved
This is our rendition of Hadiqa Kiani’s hit song, written by her mother Khawar Kiani and composed by her brother Irfan Kiani.
Thank you to the dream team for bringing our rendition, in the lo-fi musical style, to life:
Animation - @mahaydraws
Production - @bobby_kang_
Mixing/Mastering - @theculprit.music
lyrics
Khusrao dariya prem ka, ulti vaa ki dhaar
Jo utra so doob gaya, Jo dooba so paar
Khusrao - the river of love runs in strange ways
Whoever who enters it, drowns. Whoever drowns, gets across
Boohe baariya te naale kanda tapke
Mai avangee hava banke
Boohe baariya Hai
I'll cross doors and windows.
I'll become the wind, so I can meet you.
Chan charda te saare lokee paye takde
Doonge paaneya'ch phir deeve paye balde
Kande lag jaangi kacha ghara banke
Mai avangee hava banke
Boohe Baariya Hai
The moon rises, and everyone looks upon it.
Candles remain alight in deep waters.
I'll reach the shore, by becoming an unbaked water pitcher.
Dil diya raaha ute pahar nahi lagde
Mukadara de likhe hoe mitt nahi sakde
Mainu rab ne banaye tere layee oi
Mathe tere naa likh ke
Boohe Baariya x
The pathways to the heart are unguarded.
No-one can erase what it is to be One's destiny.
God made me, for you.
Your name is written in my destiny.
Come - my eyes yearn to see you.
My Beloved, my eyes yearn to see you.
credits
released July 10, 2022
Vocals - Grewal Twins
Producer - Bobby Kang
Mastering - The Culprit
Animation - Josh Singh
Original Singer - Hadiqa Kiani
Lyricist - Khawar Kiani
Original Composer - Ifran Khiani
Sukhman & Hernoor (GREWAL TWINS) are singers & storytellers born and raised in London (UK). The sisters primarily sing in the genre of Panjabi folk and Sufi devotional music
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