“Ragini” is a popular folk theatrical form from Haryana, characterised by its tone and expressions. They are songs sung in Haryanvi/Western UP dialect. Singing and dancing are seamlessly blended to tell stories and to comment on social issues. This art form consists of slow verses, accompanied by traditional instruments like the dholak, harmonium, and manjira. Raginis are based on day-to-day issues, and the earthy Haryanvi humour makes the songs entertaining. Ragini, as a tradition, is carried forward by the Bhats, Saangis, and Jogi communities.  Raginis were popularised by artists like Lakhmi Chand. Recently, a popular Haryanvi film was made on his life, titled Dada Lakhmi.

In a country like India, where “Shruti parampara(the oral tradition of passing down knowledge)” is widely followed, Raginis are an effective tool for documenting history. The Ragini mentioned below was composed soon after Indian independence. I am told that it was once very popular in Haryana and the surrounding areas.

Jawahar lal aur Gandhiji key duniya dosh dharan laagi

Honi hai balwan jagat mein, apna khel karan lagi

(People have started finding faults with Jawahar Lal Nehru and Gandhi ji. Destiny is powerful; it has started playing games.)

Jab andolan hua Bharat mein Gandhi ne samjhaya tha,

satya ahinsa, mail karan ka sabko path padhaya tha

(When the movement began in India, Gandhi had explained,

he had taught everyone the lessons of truth, non-violence, and harmony.

Ek na maani Gandhi ji ki, behra mulak banaya tha

Jagah jagah par loot machayi, gundon ne mulak sataya tha

(Gandhiji’s advice fell on deaf ears, and no one listened to him.

There was looting everywhere, and the goons harassed the community)

 A popular Ragini, after the assassination of Gandhi ji-

Kar diye patan do ratan jagat mein, hai hai din dholi!

Diya Dayanand ko zeher, maardi Gandhi key goli.

(Two gems in the world were brought down in bright daylight.

Dayanand was poisoned, and Gandhi was shot)

Text and photos by Prerna Jain.