hun es nu parh ke kon sunao ga??? :D: :D: :D:

By Karamjit Singh Aujla.
Translated by Gurjant Singh.
Originally Published in Punjabi Tribune 24th Sept 2005.

The popularity of Jugni has always touched the hearts of Panjabi mentality. She became a permanent part in the Panjabi folklore right since the ancient times. But who is Jugni? Nobody ever tried to find the veracity and because of it's simple Jugni-stanzas and simple versification, academic scholars never cared.

Jugni-poetry and Jugni-music took birth a century ago in 1906. Before that time, nowhere do we find any mention of her in history or the folk memory.

Jugni-poetry and Jugni-music was created by two folk singers and most probably its creation was accidental. These folk singers were Bishna and Manda. They were from Majha area and whatever I heard about them is as written below.

According to the late Pandit Diwan Singh, a resident of Khadur Sahib, Manda was a Muslim Mirasi. His village was Hasanpur, Thana Vairowal in Amritsar District. His real name was Mohammad but he was popular with his name Manda. Nobody knows anything about his family.

Bishna was also from Majha and was from a Jatt family. Nobody knew about his background untill 1969 when was asked from a freedom fighter Baba Makhan Singh of village Dhathi Jaimal Singh, he told that their stages were seen a couple of times in Patti and Kasur. Their favourite topics were Mirza and Tappe but they invented Jugni in 1906.

Baba Makhan Singh told that in 1906 when both of them were youths, the Brtish brought Jugni to India. When I asked that how British brought Jugni and what was Jugni, Baba Ji's answer was that English Queen's rule was over 50 years at that time. British ruled several parts of the Planet Earth and they thought that they should take a Torche to whole of their Empire. That flame of the Torche was itself Jugni which was taken from city to city in every country under British rule.

Baba Makhan Singh told that that flame was put in a big gold utensil and was taken to the every headquater of the districts. Wherever Jugni was taken big celebration were observed by the Govt. In all those shows Bands, Police department, army, Zaildars,high officials and high society people visited. In these shows Manda and Bishna also held their stage.

When Baba Makhan Singh was all explaining this, then a nearby person who looked a bit more educated, interupped that English didn't bring Jugni-flame. In fact it was Jubilee which illiterate Bishna and Manda pronounced as 'Jugni'.
From that gentleman's interruption suddenly the mystery of the word 'Jugni' was found that the word 'Jugni' took birth from the english word Jubilee. It is clear that in 1906 the Jubilee flame was taken everywhere under the rule of Queen Victoria at her 50th anniversary on the throne.

This Jubilee flame was taken to every main city and at the district headquaters celebrations and festivities took place under the charges of DC. On these festivals, Bishna Jatt and Manda Mirasi held their stage where they sang their own composed stanzas of Jugni with the instuments of Dhad and King. Because of the simplicity and easy versification, these verses of Jugni became so popular very soon that many other people started versification of Jugni Verses.

Wherever we find a 'Jugni-Verse' there we must find some city's, village's, and palce's name. Wherever Jubilee-flame of the English rulers went Bishna and Manda also went to those places and put their small stage somewhere near the big festivals to perform. Their one original 'Jugni-verse' is like this:

Jugni jaa varhi Majithe
koi Rann na Chakki peethe
Putt Gabhru mulak vich maare
rovan Akhiyan par Bulh si seete
Piir mereya oye Jugni ayi aa
ehnan kehrhi jot jagaee aa

This 'Jugni's poetic style and versification later became a traditional method and started taking much more in it's clasp but the beginning of 'Jugni' always remained in some city or place:

Jugni jaa varhi Ludhiane
Uhnun pai ge Anne Kaane
Maarn mukkian mangan Daane
Piir Mereya Oye! Jugni kehndi aa
Jehrhi naam Ali da laindi aa

Manda and Bishna were already used to take part in fesivals of Patti, Kasur, Ajnala and other towns of Majha region. Their Akhara or stage performance was famous. Manda used to play the instrument of Dhad and Bishna played the King. Singing performance was always together. They sometimes had composed stanzas at right while performing. If someone gave them a Rupee, they had composed a stanza linking the donor and his village's name.

'Jugni' Jubilee flame went from city to city and Bishna and Manda followed. Their popularity also rose to the great level by time. In those days while the movement for freedom didn't rose but in the mind of the masses anger was there. On many places faminines spead and droughts came. Public was illiterate and the rulers were cruel. So it was sure that the agony and sufferings the public suffered came in their stanzas.

The stanzas of English rule's criticism and their tyranny were also composed. These new stanzas became so popular in public that now the rulers could not tolerate. Government started banning Bishna and Manda's shows. Then Bishna and Manda started performing at some distance from the Jubilee fesivals but they gathered hugh crowds there too and many time police lathi-charged those gatherings. In those of their shows, people started talking frankly agaist the English rule on India and their atrocities, had been coming back while singing 'Jugni' in revolutionary manner.

Sorrowful End

From city to city 'Jugni' alais Jubilee went, Bishna and Manda followed, hugh crowed gathered. Anger against the English rule's opression rose, public got more restless. In the same manner when Jubilee functions in the city of Gujaranwala became insipid against the Bishna and Manda's stage, irritated police arrested and tortured them both to death. It is said that police buried them both in the middle of night in some unknown cemetry.

Canes of police had make them mum but their 'Jugni' is still there in every city and will remain in the hearts of the people of this sub-continent forever. It comes in mind that something should be done in the memory of these two ignored and forgotten martyrs, some monument should be made.'Jugni' itself is a great memorial of these two worthy artists in the hearts of million but the monuments in the honour of Victorian jubilee are there in V.J. Hospital ( Victoria Jubilee ) in Amritsar and Victoria Terminal in Bombay which remind us the cruelity which faced generations and wiped the creaters of Jugni.

We don't find any information about the family or siblings of this pair of singers. Neither of them got married in their life time. In 1906 both of them were around the age of 50. Punjab and Punjabis have yet to thank these two greats, next year at the time of century we have a chance to do something important in their memory.

I am a Simple Man: Babbu Mann
source: Darpan Magazine



With a hugely successful show, presented by Desi Doordarshan, here in Vancouver recently, Babbu Mann's popularity is at a all time high. There was a huge turnout and people were enthralled with Babbu's music and singing. He surely didn't disappoint all those who were present at the show.

Babbu showed passion for music right from his early childhood. Born, Tejinder Singh Maan in the village of Khant, Maanpur, district Fatehghar Sahib Punjab, India, Babbu first performed on stage at the age of seven at a school function. From then on it was no looking back and he followed his passion for music vigorously. He studied at Government College in Ropar and then at Punjab University, Chandigarh where he studied History and Urdu. While at college he learned how to write songs which at present is his strength. His first album, Tu Meri Miss India was released in 1999 under Cataract Music. Tu Meri Miss India was followed by Saaun Di Jhadi in 2001. This album was a huge hit and established Babbu as one of the leading figures in Punjabi music world. From here on it has been an upward journey for Babbu. After Saaun Di Jhadi, Babbu has delivered many hits like Ohi Chann Ohi Rataan, Pyaas and Mera Gham in Hindi. Pyaas, released in 2005, won the Best Album of the Year award.

A versatile personality, Babbu not only sings but writes as well as composes for his songs. He can play harmonium, mandolin, guitar and drums. He has also acted in Punjabi films like Hawayein and Rabb Ne Banaiyan Jodiean. One more film, Hashar is currently underway and is slated to be released in August. Recently while shooting for Hashar, a crowd of about 8000 gathered around to see him. They waited the whole day while the shoot was going on. Not to disappoint his fans, Babbu gave an impromptu performance for them at the end of the day. Needless to say, the fans returned home with happy faces. A humble and down to earth human being, Babbu acknowledges the support of his fans. They have made me what I'm today, says Babbu.
Babbu has set a new trend in Bhangra music. His sad songs are heart rendering and soul touching. While in Vancouver for his show, Babbu took some time out from his busy schedule to speak to Darpan.
Darpan: Tell us briefly about your childhood.

Maan: In my early days I grew up like any other normal kid. I come from a middle-class family, nothing special and like any other kid I was always up-to something. We had a big joint family, all my uncles and cousins lived together. Slowly everybody moved out and went in their own direction.

Darpan: Any siblings?
Maan: I have two older sisters, both married and residing here in Canada.

Darpan: Your family, especially your sisters must be very proud of your achievements?
Maan: They are and I think even if I was not this famous, they still would have been proud of their brother.

Darpan: Were you always fond of singing?
Maan: From as long as I can remember, I have always been a singer. First it was in school and then amongst friends and slowly I matured into a professional singer.

Darpan: When did you decided to take up singing as a profession?
Maan: Even when I was young and used to sing amongst friends even at that time I was sure that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I was very firm from the beginning to make it big in the singing field.

Darpan: Did you ever take any lessons from anyone?
Maan: I never believed in having an instructor or a mentor and nor did have one.

Darpan: When was your first CD released?
Maan: It was released in 1999, Tu Meri Miss India, under the Catrack music banner.

Darpan: Did you do any live stage shows before launching your first CD?
Maan: I used to do live shows long before my first CD was launched. In fact, I would say that live shows were my starting point as a singer.

Darpan: How supportive was your family of your decision to take up singing as a profession?
Maan: They never stopped me from anything. All they wanted was to make sure that I was on the right track. They always kept an eye and would always inquire about what I was doing. I only asked them for their patience and told them that they would come to know about what I was doing in the due course.

Darpan: Apart from singing, you have also acted in Punjabi movies as well, how has been the experience?
Maan: My first movie Hawayein was a big hit. However I was not satisfied with my second movie, Rabb Ne Banaiyan Jodiean and that is why I decided to do, Hashar which will be released shortly, on August 22nd.

Darpan: Outside of India which city or country you like the most for live performance?
Maan: I have enjoyed every city and all of my stage shows abroad.

Darpan: Out of all the songs that you have sung, do you have any favorites?
Maan: I like all my songs because I have written all of them and they are all close to me. There are few others that are not released yet but they too are very close to my soul and my feelings.

Darpan: Any plans of settling down?
Maan: Not yet. I want to achieve a lot before I think about settling down.

Darpan: What are your future plans?
Maan: I want to focus more on Hindi and Bollywood music in coming years.

Darpan: Are you satisfied with what you have achieved so far?
Maan: I'm very happy with everything that has happened to me in life. I have achieved my goals and life is going very smoothly, so I'm very satisfied. With god's grace I always been able to do whatever I wanted to do in life.

Darpan: What should we classify Babbu Maan under: a writer, a singer, a composer or a simple man?
Maan: I'm just a simple farmer's son who happens to be doing what he loves the most and that is my music.

Darpan: Any message for your music lovers?
Maan: Enjoy life to the fullest and keep listening to Punjabi music.

Lets see if we can get a fantasy football league going here?

Kirpa kark answer karo....te jehre-2 mere dostan be eh movies nahi dekhia. Oh Pehlan please dekh Lao....phir answer karna....thanks for your time and kindness.....

3 Kaale Friends Kathe Kite Ja Rahe Si
Raste Ch Ohna Nu Ik Pari Mili
Os Pari Ne Teena Di Dungi Yaari Nu Dekh Ke
1-1 Vardan Mangan Nu Keha
1st Dost: Mainu Dudh Jeha Gora Bana Do.
2nd Dost: Mainu Vi Ohna Hi Gora Bana Do.
Oh Dove Gore Ho Gaye…
3rd Dost: Hee Hee… Hee Hee… Heeeeeeeee Heeeeeeee…
Ehna Saaleyan Nu Fer Kala Bana De
Teeno Fer Kaale Ho Gaye
Moral: Friends Kameene Hi Rehte Hain