Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap

“Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap jald hi Sony Entertainment Television par”

“Maa see here, another Historical!” I smiled waving at the TV.

“Kiske up?” She frowned knowing it will mean one more 30 min slot I take over the TV. As if Mahabharat was not enough!

“Rana Pratap Singh!” I said gleefully. “They are not showing who will play it though.”

“Koi suite nahi karega.” She smiled. “ Pictures dekhi hai unki?”

“Haan,” I said thoughtfully. The last Historical I truly loved was Veer Shivaji which ended suddenly. “Bas I hope achanak se bandh na ho jaaye.”

Two days later….

“Bharat ka veer putra Maharana Pratap Sattais May se Sony Entertainment Television par”

27^th May 2013:

“Dhola maru Dharti ro… laal ayo re….”

His brown eyes, that red tika, that run through the sands of Jaisalmer … I was already in love with Kunwar Pratap. Having read the history I knew Dheerbai’s sweet talks were purposeful, but so what, one needs talent to make the enemy dance to your tunes. And Jaivanta Bai ji. Wow! That aura that grace, I was always a fan of Rajsree ji. And one episode gave me three favourites together, Faisal Khan, Aashka Goradia and Rajshree Vaidya Thakur. Okay, I admit it, since the first epi itself I was Okay Udai Singh I don’t like you! That innocent smile Kunwar Pratap wore was so so adorable.

Kunwar Pratap’s journey was slowly mesmerizing us as much as Faisal’s acting!

The Gurukul days, Raghavendra ji, the Shams Khan Kill, the Surtan days, Krishna, Panna Dhai. Every episode kept me hooked, crying smiling and laughing with Kunwar Pratap. Heard he was going to be there for two months only but the popularity apparently made them extend that part. Thank God for that. Those wars and dialogues were always wow “Jauhar phir na aega…” a promise he couldn’t keep later.

Entered Ajabde Punwar and she was just like I imagined her to be. No serial ever made me say “Aww” every time my eyes met and made my heart race when he held her hand and dragged her away from the Afghan attacks. I cried buckets when she was fighting for his life. Ahh, good old days!

27^th May 2014:

Udai Singh wanted an alliance with Marwar thanks to the sacrificing soul called Ajabdeh. I was really pissed off with how he was pushing her to confess and she was pushing him away and hurting him. Cometh the next episode and I was blown away with “Hum e mil chuki hai… humare samne khadi hai.” The lone tear that escaped his eyes every time made a million hearts ache. Then again, she…err… Kher chodo!

27^th May 2015:

Post leap is sure half of you left watching it. But truth be said I never had a problem with it, coz… BKVPMP was never about PrAja alone. It was mostly his ideals, his war techniques bravery and achievements. And post-leap they did total justice to that except for some Dheer drama.

It was that episode where he leads an army against Akbar in Chittorgarh somewhere near December 1567 and drove him away at least for a month. Ajabde’s prayers, Amar’s bravery and his confidence were shown beautifully. Yes, I missed the romance but that was their real life full of struggles with each other, life is not Romantic.

Here to mention, I had decided randomly to write their real history in a fiction form in my blog and I got overwhelming responses especially on “She Left”. I kind of dreaded the day when she will.

And I was not wrong.

I had made friends across the country and out of it for these few blogs and I was so grateful to have them. I am glad I can say I still have them there, just a message away. Incidentally, to mention, it was this very day, my dad and I decided on a Mewar trip post the episode, I just didn’t know he would make it so soon!

27^th May 2016:

It’s been months since the show is over. Yet every episode is in my blood and soul. Every time I am free I turn to these very episodes to make me laugh, cry and smile the same way it did two years back. Kunwar Pratap and Ajabde’s love still makes me wish, dream and imagine. Their bravery makes me wonder. I have spent nights (read till dawn) talking episodes and stories, plots and subplots with many fellow MRPians and I still do so, makes me smile every time. All the FCs, fandom and craziness have remained the same and it’s awesome to be a part of this crazy bunch.

Today, on the third anniversary, I am glad I was a viewer.

Maybe 20 years later people will still remember a certain Saas Bahu Drama or a Supernatural Show but for me, Bharat Ka Veer Putra Maharana Pratap is the one that touched my soul and gave me ideals. There have been crunch situations when I feel lost and yes I may sound crazy but his ideals and her beliefs make me believe.

Reading about him increased twice in the last two years and the more I read his folklore and history and listen to the local songs about him (do listen to those!) I bow down to the man whose statue stands overlooking Chavand, a lamp at his feet that cold air gave me goosebumps and I whispered “Kunwar Pratap” with tearful eyes.

Many didn’t know a certain Ajabdeh Baisa and her contribution to his life. But being a history lover and having a special interest in the not-so-famous women behind the successful men I had stumbled on her name before like I did on Jaivanta Bai’s and her character was more than justified in the show. Moreover, going to his land, and seeing his name with hers, I smiled to myself.

Faisal and Roshni, Ssharad and Rachna indeed made them alive onscreen and those lines “Hoke vivash phir aoge tum, chod ke phir na jaoge tum” still haunts me.

I should stop now as it will take me days months and years to describe my feeling towards the show, and them, and RoSal. It’s been three years, and I won’t forget in the next 30! Thank You BKVPMRP, Faisal, Ssharad, and the team for making people remember a soul who was the true first freedom fighter of India.

Lord Rama said “Our love makes us immortal, our deeds make us God”

I looked up at that board that said “Patni: Ranisa Ajabdeh Bai” and I smiled at his statue remembering those words.

Yes their love made them immortal 500 years hence and their deed made him Mewar’s “Ekling ka kahe jo Avatar, woh Pratap hai”

Jai Eklingji, Jai Mewar, Jai Maharana Pratap!

Comments

The Queen of Mewar

There have been many versions, folktales and local stories in Rajputana on their Kings and Queens. None of these versions is, however, historical as history only mentions her as wife to Maharana Pratap, his consort and Queen Mother to Amar Singh. She was busy making a garland when Ratnawati rushed inside, hardly able to breathe. Concerned, the elder sister stopped her work and looked at her panting young sibling. " What is it? What's wrong?" "Jija maa sa is not letting me go to the haat mela alone. Please come with me, I need to buy some bangles." The spoiled younger one pleaded. " Wait, let me do my aarti first, then we can go." The reluctant Ratnawati sat down impatiently. In another room, their mother was helping their father get ready for the day. He was the Samant of Bijolia, the representative of the Rana of Mewar. Throughout the day he had to deal with administrative problems in Bijolia and give people justice, but today he had something...

Maharana Pratap: The Sun of Mewar

Many of you have read my fan fiction as well as historical representations of the life and times of Maharana Pratap Singh of Mewar. I provided small details of his life in many articles. But never have I ever made a separate historical post on him. It is very difficult to put together his life without the help of folklore because historical evidence is scarce. This one was requested and hence here it goes. Needless to say, this one is very special. This is a blend of history and folklore. Leave your love. ❤️ Background and Birth: The year was 1540. Mewar was under a cloud of uncertainty. Banbir, their ruler for four years now, was a very incompetent ruler who always spent his time in luxury, drinking and dancing with girls. The crown prince Udai Singh was rumoured to be killed by him. Chittorgarh was in darkness. Around March 1540, Mewar once again saw hope as some trusted generals along Mewar with Kunwar Udai Singh attacked Chittorgarh taking Banbir by surprise. He was soon to re...

One Bullet? Not Enough!

“NOTHING COMES WITHOUT SELF SACRIFICE... NEVER GIVE UP, EVEN IF WE FACE OUR OWN END...” ~ Matangini Hazra The year was 1869. For most of India, it is famous as the year when Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born to change the face of India's struggle for freedom. But in a corner of Undivided Bengal, the villagers of Hogla in Tamluk, the district capital of Medinipur, witnessed the birth of a girl child to Thakurdas Maity and his wife Bhagabati Devi. One can only imagine the birth of a girl child to a loan-ridden poor peasant in a village back then perhaps meant no celebration. It meant the burden, of having no heir, providing for this child and of course arranging for her dowry. She was named Matangini literally meaning “The Female Elephant” but a name attributed to the consort of Lord Shiva, Adi Shakti. The Birth Place of Matangini is now renovated into this building. Courtesy: Midnapore. in The official records show her date of birth as the 17th of Novem...

The Reva Cries

Roopmati had watched the troops leave. She had stood behind the chief queen as she traditionally bid goodbye to her sons. She had waited for the Sultan to come to her. He did. He was confident that the sudden advancement of Akbar’s foster brother Adham Khan could be curbed. It was not war, just precaution. He reassured her. Malwa would never bow to the Timurids. And he would not let anything happen to her. To Her. Roopmati felt suffocated by her husband’s affectionate hug. She felt trapped in the scrutinising eyes of all the people in the palace. Angry blaming eyes. She tried to pace herself and sing but her voice cracked in fear. Her melody was drowned in tears. Every evening a messenger would come to the chief queen with the news of war. Roopmati was kept in the darkness. She was not told about anything. She knew the rumours. She was a witch. A temptress who caused doom to the Sultan of Malwa. She was a spy of the enemy planted in his life to destroy him. She wondered if he came back...

Sisodiya: Kings, Queens and Princes

I am back with another History post, this time it is on the wives and sons of Rana Udai Singh II of Mewar, his son and heir Maharana Pratap and Rana Amar Singh. This is a continuation of the Sisodia Family History I posted some time back. The information has been taken from Annals of Mewar by James Todd, Maharana Pratap by B.N. Rana, Maharana Pratap by Rima Hooja Udai Singh II was son to Ranisa Karnawati and Rana Sangram Singh. He was born on 4th August 1 522, at Chittorgarh and died on 28th February 1 572 at Gogunda . He was the Ruler of the Sisodia Dynasty. He is believed to have 56 sons, and 2 5 wives apart from the many insignificant queens in his Rani Mahal. Here is a list of his main queens and their sons. Maharani Jaivanta Bai Songara of Jallore was his chief queen and consort. Her son is Maharana Pratap. He was married to her before he went to war with Banbir as her father Akshayraj Rao was a friend and ally of his father Rana Sanga. Sajjabai Solankhini...

Women In Epics of India

Satyavati: She was the adopted daughter of a Fisherman, rejected by her King's father. She dreamed of running the kingdom because she was born a princess and refused her rights. She was the mother to the extremely talented Krishna Daipayan who she rejected as he came on the path of her dreams. She mesmerized the emperor with her beauty. She made Devabrata into Bheeshma . The king died soon. Her arrogance led to the fall of her spoilt sons and yet she desired more. She brought up her grandchildren with desires that later lead to Adharma . She was Satyavati , Princess of Matsya, Queen of Hastinapur. Draupadi Yajnaseni: She was born to be used as a tool of revenge, she knew it and had no say. Her Swayambhar was a flaw as only he could win the archery contest. She was his winner's prize. He shared her with his brothers because his mother said so. She was the direct reason behind the greatest Dharma Yudh . She was disre...

The Annals of Rajputana

Col. James Todd’s Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan describes Rajputana through History, Geography, Mythology, Folklores, Veer Gathas, Traditions, Cultures, Heritage, Rules, Valour and its people. However, one must remember that he was commissioned to write the narrative and his resources are not based on historical evidence. However, it is worth a read and very interesting. The following excerpts are from his book. Please take note that Todd's accounts are based on hearsay, stories and commissioned by royals and hence aren't treated as historically accurate. However, his book is important as it is the first English-language book to have extensive work done on Rajputana. Rajputs are commonly believed to be people from Rajasthan, however, their branches have spread far and wide into Punjab, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Maharastra and even parts of Bengal. The initial origination-based clans/tribes had been subdivided first in the book Prithvirajraso by Chand Bardai, but howe...

The Warrior Bride

Kelwa/Kailwa is a small village situated around two hours away from Chittorgarh and an hour from Lake Pichola. It was mainly inhabited by the Rathores and ruled by the Chundawat clan, who were once the rulers of Mewar. One chief of Kelwa, was Rawat Sihaji Singh Chundawat. He was a very close ally of Rana Sanga. His son Jaga Singhji too died fighting for Rana Udai Singhji in one war with the Afghans in 1555 AD. Kelwa’s heir was the minor child of Jaga Singhji and his widow Sajjan Bai Songara Chauhan. Being from the clan of the Chauhan Rajputs, she was a warrior at heart. From the early age of about four, her only son was brought up under his uncle Naga Singhji, to fight for his motherland and serve it like all other Mewaris. Fatta (Patta), as fondly called by everyone was a deft warrior even before he reached his teens. His name and bravery spread across the land, to Rana Udai Singh’s ears in Chittorgarh. He was also the nephew to Ranaji’s close aide Rawat Chundawatji. Upon the order of...

The Kaali Effect

!!BOOM!! The shopping mall echoed with a noise. The buzz grew silent. Fear crept in. Until somebody shouted, " It's just a Baloon!" The buzz grew again, the shopping continued, the romantic couples continued their walks, and the food court filled up with the aroma of the orders... A few decades back people used to laugh carefree at a balloon bursting or a tyre booming in the streets or in various crowded areas. Now in the back of everyone's head, a loud noise always brings the same thoughts... Another year, Another city, Another crowded place, Several innocent lives. They don't spare religious places too. For the sake of mankind? Religion? Politics? Power? They only know. Who are they? Nobody knows. It is said the demon Kaali who ushered in KaliYug decided to reside in a few things. Addiction, Wealth, Desire, and Anger are some such things he resides in. This is KaliYug where an innocent child's balloon makes adults fear the extremes. What is dharma here? We...

Udaipur: The Modern Heritage

Udaipur, the Capital of Mewar since 1568 ever since Akbar seized Chittor. However, for 25 Years between 1572 to 1597 Maharana Pratap decided to shift his capital from Kumbhalgarh to Chavand and decided that Udaipur was Vulnerable to the Mughal's Attack. The places to see around Udaipur are to be roamed by auto in a day, and it is best to stay near Lake Pichola. We Stayed at Gangaur Palace Hotel near the Gangaur Ghat. It is a ghat where till today the Gangaur festival is celebrated with a month-long Mela in March. Talking of Melas, I forgot to mention that Chittorgarh also celebrates the Annual Jauhar Mela in Feb-March to pay homage to the Viranganas of the 1568 Jauhar. Udaipur has 7 lakes, four of which are tourist spots. We have to visit all the other places like Haldighati, Kumbhalgarh etc from Udaipur only. The places to see in Udaipur are: 1. The City Palace and Museum : The city palace was built by several Maharajas in different sections over the years, starting from Udai Sing...

A Journey To Discover Life

Search This Blog