The Ballad of Rajula: Malushahi

The ballad of Rajula and Malushahii is often heard in folk tales and songs across the Himachal region. It is a story of lovers brought together by a dream. Continue reading to know more about this folk tale from the hills.

Malushashi. Illustrated by Gowri Suresh, Visual Storyteller at ThisDay

Rajula-Malushahi is a dearly loved ballad of the central Himalayan regions of Kumaon and Garhwal since ancient times—a region, though enchantingly beautiful, is also one characterised by rugged terrains, thick forests, swift rivers, deep gorges, severe winter, and the awe-inspiring Chipko movement. When nature unleashes its fury, only the gods can come to the aid of mere mortals. Therefore, it was always important to keep the gods pleased. No wonder then it is known as ‘Dev Bhumi’—the gods permeate all aspects of life here.

Interestingly, the historical conflict between people of the lower Kumaon and upper Garhwal regions is palpable, and the game of thrones between the kingdoms, fiefdoms, and fearless tribes is even better than George R.R. Martin’s saga. The cultural fabric of this area is diverse as successive migrations have created a multilayered society. In a pastoral society where people toiled for hours in faraway woodlands, mostly in solitude, ballads sung in the ancient Hurkiya tradition accompanied by the hudka, an ancient drum, developed as conversational ‘call– response’ songs with a melody that helped voice travel far across hills.

It is difficult to put a date on this folk story, which is actually a very popular ballad, but certain references lead one to assume that it belongs to the fourteenth or fifteenth century. The tale is set in the time when the powerful Katyuri dynasty had splintered into independent fiefdoms. Raja Malushahi headed one such fiefdom from his capital Vairat in the Pali Pachhaon region. The saga winds its way from the beautiful temple town of Dwarahat, through the lush valleys around Bageshwar, the sylvan woods of Almora, into the remote corners of the Himalayas, and up into the regions of Askot and Johar, almost touching the stony plateau of Tibet. Three distinct ethnic cultures interact with each other through their respective characters—the Katyuris of Pall Pachhaon, the Shaukas of Johar, and the Palas of Askot.

This captivating story follows the romance of Raja Malushahi and Rajula, the bold and beautiful daughter of a Shauka trader. Let’s travel now to the high and majestic peaks of the Himalayas in Garhwal some 500 years ago. As the feeble rays of the winter sun set over the high mountain peaks, Ganjuli Shaukyana, the wife of the chieftain Sunapati Shauka of the Shauka clan, sat by the hearth, musing, 'How fortunate are those who have been blessed with children. I have tried every possible means, but to no avail.’ With these thoughts floating in her mind, Ganjuli fell asleep.That night, Lord Baghnath appeared in her dream and said, 'Come to the Bageshwar Uttarayani fair and I will grant your wish. If you are the first to reach the holy Treyuga peepul tree across the Saryu, you shall have a son, or else a daughter is assured.'

That very night, the childless queen of Vairat also had a dream in which Lord Baghnath visited her and said more or less the same thing. He said, 'O Queen, if you visit me in the early hours of the morning of the Uttarayani festival, I will bestow on you the boon of a son.'

Ganjuli and her husband reached Bageshwar from the highlands a little after the king and queen who had made their way from the lowlands. Even though the journey had been long and tiring, the queen was up well before the favourable hour of dawn that day and made her wish. Ganjuli, on the other hand, was a little late, but she too had performed all the rites with sincerity and devotion.

When the two women met near the Treyuga peepul, they were drawn to each other instinctively. The queen said, 'Ganjuli, why don't we strengthen this bond of friendship with a promise? If our dreams come true, then I shall have been favoured with a son and you with a daughter. When they grow up, give me your daughter for my son in marriage.' Ganjuli agreed, the two gave each other their word at that sacred spot, and then went their respective ways.

Soon, both women indeed got pregnant and, as promised, each bore a child—a son for the queen and a daughter for Ganjuli. The grand celebrations in Vairat were equally matched by those in Johar. The queen named her son Malushahi, while Ganjuli's daughter was called Rajula. Many happy years passed thus, and as the children grew into young adults, the mothers forgot the vows they had exchanged. Malushahi learnt how to rule Vairat and, after his father's death, became a good sovereign whose fame spread far and wide.

Rajula grew into a peerless beauty. It was as though nature had put together all its most pleasing aspects into this one creation—a face as cool and lovely as the moon, a velvety skin glowing with the radiance of the sun, a flawless ivory complexion, large almond eyes that hid the twinkle of the stars and the flash of lightning, long tresses like the dark monsoon clouds, a perfect rosebud of a mouth, and a dainty, lissom body that moved with agility and grace. And, as if still dissatisfied with their handiwork, the gods blessed her with intelligence, courage and audacity.

Ganjuli and Sunapati doted on their only child and catered to her every whim. At times, after the day's work was done and the family sat by the hearth, Ganjuli would recount the incredible story of Rajula's birth, and their daughter, who never tired of hearing it, would snuggle up to her mother and ask, 'O Mother, tell me, who is the greatest raja?’ 'Raja Malushahi is the greatest of all rajas.’ Rajula would sigh contentedly and dream of Malushahi.

With time, Rajula's obsession for Malushahi intensified. She spent hours wondering what life in Vairat might be like and how the raja looked. Sunapati was a man of standing in his community. He did not want to marry off his only child and send her to faraway Vairat. But when he observed that Rajula remained fixated on Malushahi, he felt a tremor of concern.

Meanwhile, as word of Rajula's matchless beauty spread, a marriage proposal came from a neighbouring state. Sunapati knew the man, Vishayapala, a powerful chieftain in the vicinity of Askot, as the two men had regular trade dealings. But Rajula would not hear of it. Even as Ganjuli tried to cajole her impetuous daughter, Sunapati sent a messenger to Vishayapala, accepting his proposal and inviting him to affiance his daughter.

Rajula wept and wailed in vain, saying, 'O Mother, why are you being so cruel? I quake at the sight of those men. You promised me to Malushahi, why do you break your word now? Do you not love me any more?' Ganjuli gently wiped away the tears of anger and frustration from Rajula's lovely eyes and calmed her fiery daughter. She said, 'Rajula, listen to me. Your father and I only want what is best for you, and Vishayapala is worthy of you.'

But the fair Rajula only retorted furiously, 'If you wanted what was best for me, you would not give me to those monsters. Even lions and tigers fear them. When they breathe, the trees shake. I tremble at the very thought of Vishayapala. Alas, my father loves me not, for he does this to improve his own wealth.'

Three days passed in trying to persuade Rajula, but she remained steadfast in her refusal. Vishayapala arrived in Johar and sealed the deal with Sunapati. He was willing to pay any price and put up with any number of tantrums, all for the hand of the beautiful Rajula. He told Sunapati, 'I will give you untold wealth and fill your granaries till they overflow, all so I can have your lovely daughter for my bride. I will return with a wedding party and take her away as soon as the snows melt.'

For the next three days, Rajula neither ate nor slept. Ganjuli had a difficult time trying to persuade her to accept their decision. Sunapati said angrily, 'May destruction take that kingdom Vairat! Its people have no concept of trade. Their land is covered with thorny shrubs of Hisalu and Kilmora grass. Their customs are strange and they kidnap women. You are now a betrothed woman and must behave with decorum, or else you will bring untold misfortune to this house.' With these harsh words, he turned away from his beloved child.

A few days later, Sunapati packed his merchandise and left with other traders on a business trip. Two days after his departure, his wilful daughter informed her mother that she was determined to go to Bageshwar to offer a gold coin at the temple of Lord Baghnath and then proceed to Vairat to see King Malushahi, and only after doing so would she return. Her distraught mother tried to deter her, but it was of no use, for Rajula turned a deaf ear to all entreaties.

Alone and fearless, Rajula set off along the route she had heard her parents describe. Moving swiftly like a moonbeam, she wound her way down mountain slopes and across valleys until she reached Bageshwar, stopping only when night fell or fatigue

caught up. She prayed to the goddess of Johar, her guardian deity, to protect her and guide her safely to Malushahi. She spent a day wandering about town to take in all its wondrous sights. She observed the Kumaoni houses, so unlike the ones in her homeland; the differently attired people, the distinctive gait of the women, even the markets were dissimilar. Having seen it to her fill, she set off in the direction of Vairat. Lord Baghnath smiled benevolently when he saw the keenness with which the audacious highland girl absorbed these new experiences.

That night, Raja Malushahi had an excellent dream. First, Lord Baghnath appeared to bless him. Next,he saw an astonishingly beautiful girl whose face set his heart aflutter with feelings he could not discern but were in fact the first stirrings of love in his breast. The following morning, when he awoke from his deep slumber, a sense of elation pervaded his being, signalling to him that something wonderful was in the offing. Filled with happiness, he recounted the dream to his mother, describing in vivid detail the ethereal vision of the night before. He recalled every aspect of the girl, her strange dress and ornaments, large almond eyes in a perfectly oval face, all of which set her apart from women of these parts. The Queen Mother felt a stab of apprehension. Her mind flashed back to that fateful day when she had gone to Bageshwar at the summons of Lord Baghnath, seeking the boon of a son, her chance meeting with Ganjuli Shaukyana and the promises made there. She wondered if the dream was significant and, if so, what did it portend?

Meanwhile,Rajula walked on a path that meandered along rivers, through forest groves and fertile fields. Neither the thorny Hisalu nor the sharp Kilmora grass bothered her. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Malushahi and she planned different scenarios under which she would meet her beloved and what she would say to him.

Little did she realise what a stir she was causing in the Pali Pachaon region. She made a rare sight because, in these parts, it was unusual for a beautiful young woman to be seen walking alone. As she went past fields, farmers would halt their yoked oxen, lean over their ploughs, and stare at her. Wherever she stopped to ask directions, men would accost her and try to take advantage of her innocence. Some detained her on flimsy pretexts of offering food or shelter, others threatened to hold her against her will. But, by the grace of Lord Baghnath and her own quick thinking, Rajula evaded each one deftly and ran away.

Lodhachinna was infamous for wicked deeds of its notorious gang of twenty-two brothers. As she approached it, they were quick to spot her, but while they were still wondering as to who she was, she had already slipped away and reached Kaidhero. This was the territory of Kalua Kahedha, a wizened old man whose eyebrows reached his knees. He had seven sons and seven daughters-in-law who took care of him. Despite being so old and infirm, his rheumy eyes lit up with pleasure when the beautiful Rajula stopped by to ask for the road to Dwarahat. When she had sped away, he recalled forlornly his long-gone youth.

Rajula reached the outskirts of Dwarahat at dawn. Phachuwa Doryala was the richest cattle owner in town, owning a hundred buffaloes that gave milk and a hundred that did not. That morning he was on his way to perform the shraddha (death anniversary) ceremony of his father, it being Shraddha Ashtami. When he saw the lone beautiful girl, all thoughts of the sacred rites flew from his mind and he begged her to marry him. But Rajula declined his proposal. Phachuwa was not one to give up easily. When his attention began to annoy her, Rajula quickly thought of a ploy to get rid of him. She looked at him and said sweetly, 'All right, I will consider your proposal, but on one condition. If you can dance as well as the raja of Vairat is reputed to, then I will stay and be your wife. If not, I will leave,' Eager to impress her, Phachuwa agreed to the condition. He promptly donned his velvet turban and started to dance. On and on he went, tirelessly, for hours. His vision blurred as he swirled in frenzy. Occasionally he asked, 'Do you like my dance? Am I doing it right? Should I stop now?' Rajula, of course, had already slipped away quietly.

Having negotiated many such impediments along the way, Rajula finally reached Vairat. The city was truly beautiful, with multicoloured painted houses adorned with decorative balconies and carved wood windows, but the finest was the palace of the raja dominating the town. When darkness fell and all was still, she entered the palace unnoticed and gliding through the shadows, guided by an unerring instinct, she found her way to Malushahi's chambers. Seeing the raja fast asleep, she approached the bed and sat on it noiselessly. Malushahi looked handsome even in his sleep. His chiselled features, determined chin, arched eyebrows, and well-proportioned powerful limbs set Rajula's heart racing.

Suddenly, Malushahi opened his eyes and saw a vision of loveliness peering intently into his face. Not knowing whether he was asleep or awake, he whispered, 'Are you divine or human? I have known you in my dreams. Please tell me, are you real or an angel come down from heaven' Rajula smiled and replied shyly, 'I am Rajula, the daughter of Sunapati Shauka, a wealthy trader in faraway Johar. I too have known you only in my dreams.' it felt as though they had known each other all their lives. They talked long into the night. Rajula recounted the entire story she had heard from her mother and told him that they were destined for each other. Then she said, 'I have come at great peril to myself to inform you that my parents have promised me in marriage to a man I do not wish to marry and in whose land I have no desire to live. If you are the true son of a hero and are man enough to take me away, then I am yours, for I love you. But for that it is imperative you come and get me before Vishayapala does.'

Puzzled, Malushahi said, 'But, beloved, you are here now, so why don't you stay? I love you, and we can be married straight away.' Rajula's eyes flashed with arrogance as she spoke, 'I cannot stay and be made an item of ridicule. The women of your palace will titter and say that Rajula has no pride, she has come pleading to the raja. No, never! The only honourable way is for you to come and win me by force. I shall be the wife of a hero who is willing to risk all for me.' Saying this, she left his chambers as quietly as she had entered.

Malushahi saw that she had made a valid point. Had he not proved his valour time and again on the battlefield? He made up his mind to go to Saukyuda and bring back Rajula as his wife. The following morning, he told his mother of his decision. The Queen Mother's worst fear had come true and she tried to dissuade her son.

Malushahi comforted her, saying, 'Mother, I love her dearly, and am confident that I will succeed. I need your blessings, advice, and guidance.' The Queen Mother realised it was futile to stop him, and so she said, 'My son, I will let you go on certain conditions. You must not go alone, because the people of those lands are as dangerous as they are ruthless. They are adept in the use of magic and poison, and so eat no food, drink no water, and listen to no sweet talk. The route is hazardous and complicated, and so take a guide who is familiar with the region.' With these words and a heavy heart, the queen blessed her only child and went to the temple to pray for his safe return.

Heeding his mother's advice, Malushahi collected a small band of brave stalwarts, who spoke the Saukyuda language and knew their way around. They rode out from Vairat via Dwarahat, Kaidhero, Lodhachinna, Someshwar, Garur and Baijnath to finally arrive in Bageshwar for the first night's halt. At dawn, Malushahi went to bathe at the holy confluence and pay obeisance to Lord Baghnath. The lord appeared in his mind's eye and, smiling benignly, spoke, 'Take the holy ash lying before my image and smear it on your body to protect yourself from the ill effects of poison. Disguise yourself and your followers as ascetics and you will be safe.'

Following the lord's divine instructions closely, the men rode on and, by nightfall, had reached closer to their destination. Tired and weary, they slept in a rough shelter and the following day began the arduous trek to Rajula’s home. Their progress slowed down considerably because they now moved on foot disguised as ascetics and had to be more cautious.

In Sunapati's house, wedding preparations were going on in full swing. The groom's party had already arrived and they were eating food as fast as it was being prepared and were merry on the liquor that was flowing like water. In the inner quarters of the house, Rajula lamented her fate and trembled at the thought of her future in an unknown land. There was a stir at the entrance when a group of ascetics came to beg for alms. Ganjuli sent them some food, but they refused to accept it from anybody but the bride, insisting that they wanted to bless her on this auspicious occasion. At first, Rajula refused to emerge from her room but, as the commotion worsened, she consented and began to serve the food. The men blessed her for her kindness and casually let drop that they had been similarly well-received by Malushahi. The perceptive Rajula gathered that these men had been sent by the raja and that he was in the vicinity. She said to Ganjuli, 'Mother, I have been confined indoors all day. These kind ascetics have cheered me up. I would like to go and take a walk in the garden. Soon I will be gone from this house and this may very well be my last chance.'

Ganjuli looked at her sceptically and said, 'My darling daughter, you are to be married tomorrow. It is not wise to be seen outdoors. All manner of men are assembled here and it isn't safe.' But Rajula cajoled her mother into letting her go for a short while and Ganjuli reluctantly gave in. With unhurried steps, Rajula walked out of the house. Waiting for her but hidden from general view was Raja Malushahi, disguised as an ascetic. In a trice, she was in his arms and, without losing a moment, they fled.

Immersed in kitchen work, it was quite some time before Ganjuli and Sunapati realised that their daughter was missing. Sunapati sent his guards to investigate further and one of them came back with the news that Rajula had been seen with an ascetic. With deep dismay and anger, Sunapati went to break the news to the bridegroom. Vishayapala was furious at the turn of events. He quickly rounded up a band of men and rode in pursuit of the girl.

Malushahi and Rajula had a good head start, and so they were able to cover a fair distance before they were missed. But their progress was hampered because of the descending darkness and the unfamiliar, treacherous terrain. The men of Pali Pachaon had discarded their disguise and were now fully armed and ready to take on the fight. Blocking all routes of the pursuers, they beat them back time and again. A frenzied Vishayapala was almost upon them when a thick mist suddenly descended over the mountain and enveloped him, causing confusion in his ranks. It was a blessing to the Katyuris as they managed to escape unscathed. Realising that the game was lost, Vishayapala retreated in angry humiliation.

No man was able to catch up with or seize Malushahi. He was like the wind, here this minute and gone the next. With the dainty Rajula clasped to his breast, he rode night and day till they reached Bageshwar. The exhausted yet euphoric couple made their way to the temple of Lord Baghnath and once again sought his blessings. With his love beside him, Malushahi finally reached his palace, where he bowed before his mother and said, 'Dear Mother, with your prayers and good wishes I have returned successfully from my mission to Saukyuda. I have brought with me the beautiful Rajula, who, with your blessing, shall be my queen.'

The Queen Mother blessed the happy young couple and ordered festivities to be held in their honour. There was peace in the land and good fortune smiled on Malushahi and Rajula from then on. Blessed are the brave and the resolute, for even the gods smile upon them.

Romances are an integral part of any culture, and most romances, like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, are known to be tragic, with star-crossed lovers

born to warring families who end up dying. Our story today was specially picked to bring you the cool, pine-fresh air from the snow-capped mountains where there were all the usual challenges and odds but despite these, the lovers persist and go on to live in songs that are heard even today on misty evenings around the fire.

Hope you enjoyed this gem from the high Himalayan peaks. Stay tuned for more on What the Folk!