Hindu Brothers as 'Nauha Reciters' from East U.P.

Dr. Mazhar Naqvi

Two Hindu brothers namely Raju Pandey and Rishi Pandey has earned quite a reputation as Nauha reciters in Eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and bordering areas of Bihar. They prefer to be called as Hindu brothers and name their Matami Anjuman after their name only. They are proud to be Nauha reciters and claim that  the tragic story of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s martyrdom for the sake of humanity prompted them to take up Nauha reciting in oldest Shabbedaris(Night Long Matam with Nauhas) of Jaunpur,Ghazipur,Varanasi,Chapra and Gopalganj districts.

In their late twenties, the duo has captivated hearts of Imam Mourners and rank as leading Nauha reciters. Their presence at any Shabbedari guarantees its success in terms of assembly of devotees. From their presentation skills and devotion, no one can easily re4cognize their original faith and people mistook them very often as Shias. Being short of Matami Sangat, Shia youths extend their expertise in Chest-Beating.

Be it Shabbedari of Balwa Ghat or Chehlum procession of Jaunpur or Ashura processions in Ghazipur,Azamgarh, Varanasi and Balia .Hindu brothers have earned respect for their Kalam and Adayagi. They wear black clothes and never compromise with their dressing sense while taking part in procession or Shabbedaris.

Of the two, Rishi is considered to have a sad voice chocked with emotions. Their pronunciation is also impeccably correct. However, it was Raju Pandey who started the tradition. Inspired by the success of Raju as a Nauha reciter, Rishi too joined him to form Hindu brothers Anjuman-probably the first of its kind in Indian sub-continent.

Prior to them, two Sikh friends Sardar Mahendra Singh and Kehar Singh had formed an Anjuman in late 80s,to be followed by Chotey Lal of Hardoi district. Apart from Nauhas, the duo also render Salams in Shabbedaris but they politely refuse to present Salams during the first 10- days of Muharram month.

In their interviews, they make it a point to recite famous couplet of revolutionary poet Josh Malihabadi “Insan ko Bedar to Ho Lene Do, Har Qaum Pukaregi Hamare Hain Hussain” (Let the human being awaken, Each Community will Cry and call Hussain is ours”).

Whenever they perform at any procession or Shabbedari, admirers of Hazrat Imam Hussain don’t forget to wish them a very long life, for they are the carriers of  the legacy of composite culture of India at a time when fanatics are out to dissuade the Hindus from taking part in Muharram ceremonies .

Source: Shias of Ghazipur.