Heer-Ranjha by Waris Shah,PUNJAB
The scene for this incident is laid out in Takht Hazara. Here Ranjha’s Jatt tribe rules the land. Most prominent of them was Manju Ranjha, the father of Ranjha (the hero of this story). He was very powerful Chaudhry (landlord). He had 4 sons and Ranjha was the eldest of them all. Therefore he was probably spoiled. All the 4 bothers were tough and well built. All the women in the village were madly in love with Ranjha. When Manju died, the wrath of Ranjha’s sister in laws fell upon him. He was taunted on daily basis by his sister-in-law called Sassi. There was distribution of wealth left behind by his father. He got the worst pick. Thus the evil actions of his brothers and their wives force him to leave the village out of sheer disgust and revulsions.
He sets out in search of Heer who lives in Jhung. Heer’s father is the chief of Jhung. On his way to Jhung, Ranjha has to stop over in a village mosque where he has a hot exchange of words with the Maulvi of the mosque. Because of Ranjha’s appearance maulvi calls him a kaafir and forbids him to stay a night at the mosque. What follows is another master piece of Warris Shah. A controversy starts and submitting to the Public pressure, the Maulvi is forced to allow Ranjha to stay at the Mosque for the night.
Next day Ranjha leaves for Jhung. He comes to the banks of Jhanan (Chenab) where he is helped by Luddan, a boatman, to cross the river. Here Ranjha meets Heer. She is a goddess of exquisite beauty. She is portrayed as an ultimate woman a man can ever dream of. She confronts Ranjha at the banks of the river and falls in love with him at the first sight. Heer makes sure that Ranjha stays close to her all the time. She convinces her father to give Ranjha a job. Ranjha is hired as a herd-boy. For quite some time they both indulge in love-making in seclusion. But, their happiness is short lived as one of Heer’s uncle finds out Heer’s involvement with Ranjha. This is reported to Heer’s father who decides to get Heer married off soon. Chuchak(Heer’s father) quickly gets Heer engaged to a nearby landlord of village Rangpur. Heer is sent to her in-laws forcibly. Before this happens, Ranjha, in dismay, harkens to the proverbial Five Peers (Divines) who offer Ranjha full solace and after they have listened to his marvelous flute-playing classical tunes, generously bestow Heer, the peasant girl, upon the youth. Fortified in faith, thus convinced of their ultimate good luck, the two lovers give up the design to elope and decide to face the situation with growing resolution. It is Heer who suggests this course of action to Ranjha. Although Heer tries her best not to say yes to Mulla’s query whether she agrees to the marriage with Khera, she is forced into it despite her wails and screaming protests.
Ranjha now proceeds toward Rangpur, where his beloved lives with her new husband.
[ KAN PADVAA KEE KANAAA VICH MUNDRAA PAA KEE, RANJHA BANGYAA JOGII. ]
This line means that, Ranjha got his ears pierced and started wearing earrings. This was typical of Hindu jogis (sadhus). Ranjha also discards his flute. This shows the power of love. Love is not bound in any religious domains. This is a typical example of how a love torn Muslim got converted into a Hindu yogi and started wearing begging-saints garb. He was accepted By Baba Bal Nath as his Shaagird (disciple). A series of piquant scenes take place at the doorstep of Heer. Somehow Ranjha is able to convince Heer’s sister-in-law to help him elope with Heer. Sati (Heer’s sister-in-law), too makes a successful attempt in running away with her lover. Kheras start on a hot pursuit of Ranjha and Heer. The capture both of them and are brought to the court of Chief Adli Raja. The judge favors the Kheras and Heer is sent back to her in-laws.
But, at this juncture God comes to the help of the lovers. Suddenly the city catches fire. The earlier verdict is reverted. Ranjha leaves for his home to set up a date for the nikaah.
But, while he is gone, a conspiracy is hatched to kill Heer. When the news of death reaches Ranjha he consumes poison and falls to the martyr to love.
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