Hindu Nauhakhwan Chotey Lal-Carrier of a Rich Legacy

Nauhakhwan Chotey Lal(on Mike) at a Prominent Shabbedari

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

 India has a rich tradition of participation of Hindus in the observance of Muharram mourning. In fact, Hindus have been participating in all types of Marasim-e-Azadari(mourning rituals ) for centuries . They have also  contributed to composition of elegiac poetry apart from   ensuring their participation in Nauhakhwani(Lamentation), Seenazani (Chest-beating),Tazia-Making,(Replica of Imam Hussain’s Shrine made of Bamboo Sticks and paper ), Sozkhwani(Mournful rendering based on ragas) Marsiyagoee(Presentation of Elegiac Poetry with gestures and postures depicting scenes of Battle of Karbala)  and making offerings to tazias. Till early 20th century, Hindus performed Azadari in large number. However, their number has declined due to divisive policy of the British after 1857 to break Hindu-Muslim Unity and advent of communalism in India in the past three decades.   

Yet persons like Chotey Lal of Pihani town of district Hardoi is carrying on legacy with the same zeal and spirit.He is a top ranking nauhkhwan of India and his appearance in famous Shabbedaris(Nights dedicated to recital of Nauhas and Salams by Anjumans)  considered being a must. Being a darling of Hussainis, he is usually greeted with thunderous ‘Nara-E-Haideri- Ya Ali, Ya Ali’ the moment he appears with his Anjuman to recite Nauhas and Salams in any program organized in memory of martyrs or survivors of Karbala. Chotey Lal Ji also take his heart out to let the listeners know as to how respectful is Panjatan among Indians. He makes it a point to recite Kalams that represent sentiments of Hindus about Imam Hussain and how do they perceive the tragedy of Karbala.For example, look at the wordings of his popular Nauha:

 
“Ham Hindu Zikre Sarwar Se Qismat ko Banaya Karte Hain,

Yeh Kaise Musalman Hain Jo Akhir Bidat Bataya Karte Hain,

Gar Hind Mein Sarwar Aa jate, Sab Hindu Muslaman Ho Jate,

 
Ham Log Jo Wada Karte Hain, Wade ko Nibhaya karte Hain.”

 

(We, the Hindus, Make our fortune by Eulogizing Sarwar(Imam Hussain), We wonder as to how some Muslims dare to  describe his praise as Bidat(Innovation), Had he arrived in India, All Hindus would have embraced Islam, We, Hindus, remain steadfast on our Promise.)

Janab Chotey Lal has his own Anjuman under the title of Lashkar-E-Ali. He attends with all solemnity not only Shabbedaris but also Muharram related processions. He recites Nauhas and Salams in plain voice but his presentation propels devotees to shed tears on martyrs of Karbala and also utter ‘Wah Wah’ in response to the couplets of Salams. The illustrious Nauhakhwan has been invited to bid farewell to Ayam=-e-Aza -2017 in the historic Bilgram town on 8^th Rabi-ul-Awwal. The organizers have launched an aggressive publicity campaign about his participation in the program that marks the culmination of Muharram mourning this year.(References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images )