Folk Tales of Gujarat (and Jhaverchand Meghani)

by Vandana P. Soni | 2014 | 98,532 words

This study represents an English translation of the Gujarat Folk tales composed by Gujarati poet Jhaverchand Meghani (1896-1947). Meghani was born in Chotila and left an important landmark on the history of Saurashtra and Gujarat folklore, Indian poetry, journalism and other literary sciences....

Chapter 21 - Koyal Vrat

Koyal vrat is generally observed by married women. It is observed in the month of Vaishak. During the month of Vaishak mango trees fully blossoms. Koyal’s joy knows no bound.

During the whole month the observer of the ritual doesn‘t apply oil in her hair. She does not prepare beddings for her husband. She also sleeps on the floor by spreading the mattress. Early morning they go at the bank of the river to call Cuckoo.

Facing the fully bloomed mango tree they sing as following:

Bolo Koyal bolo!
Tamne ave zolo
Zole Zole Jali, Koyal ni ma Kali
.
Kala kala Kamkha, Ke rata amara chuda.
Koyal ved bhane, Ke ghi na diva bale.
Koyal Cu cu u cu, Cu cu cu cu

Speak Cuckoo speak!
You doze.
There is dense net of trees wherever you sleep,
Oh mother, goddess Cuckoo you are black.
Black will be our blouse or red will be our bangles.
Due to blessings of cuckoo may lamps of ghee burn
Cuckoo cu-cu-u-cu, Cuckoo cu-cu-cu-cu

If cuckoo replies by emmiting the same sound then the observer of the ritual can get the permission to eat otherwise the observer has to keep fast.

In order to make cuckoo speak; one must know to emit actual sound of cuckoo. The observer of the vow has to observe the following conditions:

Ek tank jamai
Kalu pherai nahi
Kalu odhai nahi
Kalu khavai nahi

Only one time meal is permitted
The observer of the ritual cannot wear black colored cloth.
Veil is not used to cover the head
Black colored edible item is avoided.

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