THE MONTAGUES & THE CAPULETS

As soon as one takes the name of Verona, there are two other names that come to ones mind, Romeo and Juliet. Yes, these names are closely associated with Verona.

The two chief families in Verona were the rich Capulets and the Montagues. There was an old quarrel between these families, that had deteriorated so much, and so deadly was the enmity between them, that it extended to the remotest kindred, to the followers and retainers of both sides, insomuch that a servant of the house of Montague could not meet a servant of the house of Capulet, nor a Capulet encounter a Montague even by chance, as fierce words and sometimes bloodshed ensued; and so frequent were the brawls from such accidental meetings, that they disturbed the happy and quiet streets of Verona.

DESTINED TO MEET :

Old Lord Capulet hosted a great supper, to which many fair ladies and many noble guests were invited. All the admired beauties of Verona were present, and all comers were made welcome if they were not of the house of Montague. At this feast of the Capulets, Rosaline, beloved of Romeo, son to the old Lord Montague, was present; and though it was dangerous for a Montague to be seen in this assembly, yet Benvolio, a friend of Romeo, persuaded the young lord to go to this assembly disguised in a mask, that he might see his Rosaline, and seeing her compare her with some choice beauties of Verona, who he said would make him think his swan was a crow.  Romeo had little faith in Benvolio's words; nevertheless, for the love of Rosaline, he was persuaded to go. For Romeo was a sincere and passionate lover, and one that lost his sleep for love, and fled society to be alone, thinking of Rosaline, who disdained him, and never responded to his love, with the least show of courtesy or affection; and Benvolio wished to cure his friend of this love by showing him the diversity of ladies and company.

To this feast of the Capulets the young Romeo with Benvolio and their friend Mercutio went masked. Old Capulet bid them welcome, and told them that ladies who had their toes unplagued with corns would dance with them.

And they fell to dancing, and Romeo was suddenly struck with the exceeding beauty of a lady who danced there, who seemed to him to teach the torches to burn bright, and her beauty to show by night like a rich jewel worn by a blackamoor; beauty too rich for use, too dear for earth! Like a snowy dove trooping with crows (he said), so richly did her beauty and perfections shine above the ladies who were her companions.

While he uttered these praises, Tybalt, a nephew of Lord Capulet, who knew him by his voice to be Romeo, overheard him. And this Tybalt, being of a fiery and passionate temper, could not endure that a Montague should come under cover of a mask, to jeer and scorn (as he said) at their solemnities. And he stormed and raged exceedingly, and would have struck young Romeo dead. But his uncle, the old Lord Capulet, would not suffer him to do any injury at that time, both out of respect to his guests, and because Romeo had borne himself like a gentleman, and all tongues in Verona bragged of him to be a virtuous and well-governed youth. Tybalt, forced to be patient against his will, restrained himself, but swore that this vile Montague should at another time dearly pay for his intrusion.

THE FEELING OF LOVE:

The dance being over, Romeo watched the place where the lady stood; and under favor of his masking habit, which might seem to excuse in part the liberty, he presumed in the gentlest manner to take her by the hand, calling it a shrine, which if he profaned by touching it, he was a blushing pilgrim, and would kiss it for atonement. 'Good pilgrim,' answered the lady, 'your devotion shows by far too mannerly and too courtly: saints have hands, which pilgrims may touch, but kiss not.' 'Have not saints lips, and pilgrims too?' said Romeo. 'Ay,' said the lady, 'lips which they must use in prayer.' 'O then, my dear saint,' said Romeo, 'hear my prayer, and grant it, lest I despair.' In such like allusions and loving conceits they were engaged, when the lady was called away to her mother. And Romeo inquiring who her mother was, discovered that the lady whose peerless beauty he was so much struck with, was young Juliet, daughter and heir to the Lord Capulet, the great enemy of the Montagues; and that he had unknowingly engaged his heart to his foe. This troubled him, but it could not dissuade him from loving. As little rest had Juliet, when she found that the gentleman that she had been talking with was Romeo and a Montague, for she had been suddenly smitten with the same hasty and inconsiderate passion for Romeo, which he had conceived for her; and a prodigious birth of love it seemed to her, that she must love her enemy, and that her affections should settle there, where family considerations should induce her chiefly to hate.

INTRODUCTION:

Stories about love are numerous but stories about true love are rare. This is the story of two true lovers, Heer Saleti and Ranjha Dheedo.

The love-laden waters of the river Chenab, providing its bounty to Pakistan and India, connect Heer and Ranjha’s love story. On one bank was Ranjha’s village – Hazaara and the other side was Heer’s Siaal.

RANJHA’S JOURNEY:

Mauja Chaudhri, Ranjha’s father, was the chief landowner of Hazaara. Ranjha was his favorite son and his brothers hated him for this. After Mauja Chaudhri died, Ranjha’s brothers usurped all their father’s land leaving a barren and inhospitable piece to Ranjha. Ranjha’s brothers raised their arms exultantly and said, "How can a man plough that wears long hair and anoints his head with curds?" So, Ranjha with his flute under his arm left Takht Hazara, never to return.

From Takht Hazara, Ranjha started his long journey in search of happiness. Tired and hungry, he reached a mosque. He sat down, kissed his flute and blew life into it. Strange things happened. People were enchanted, some became senseless and there was yearning in others’ hearts when they heard the music. The whole village thronged to the mosque to listen to the haunting, and sweet melody. The mullah of the mosque was bewildered when he heard the music. He told the people, "Lewd fellows like Ranjha should be spurned from the assemblies of honest men."

Hearing this, Ranjha jested merrily, at the mullah’s morals and his bawdy tricks. He teased the Mullah and said, "Mullahs run after women in mosques and cultivated land like laymen. They are like curses clinging to the house of God". The mullah was very angry. But, Ranjha slept in the mosque that night and set forth on his travels at dawn.

Ranjha walked on and reached the banks of the river Chenab. From there, he had to travel in a ferry, which would take him across the river. Ranjha sat in a corner of the ferry and started playing his flute. He played a sad piece of music about the separation from one’s beloved. Then he took off his shoes off and set his feet in the river. The ferryman’s wife caught him. Ranjha replied, "It is best that those in trouble should die". The others pulled him back into the ferry and placed him on Heer’s couch. Heer was the daughter of Mihr Chuchak of Siaal.

Ranjha sat there unaware that he was going to meet the queen of his heart in the near future.

EYE MEETS EYE:

Heer, the daughter of Mihr Chuchak was as lovely as the moon. She was the pride of the Siaal assembly. Heer and her friends had come to the river to bathe. The tinkling of their anklets was heard from afar. As soon as Heer saw Ranjha, she was angry. She told the ferryman, "Luddan, you black-faced rogue, why have you defiled my couch? Whom have you allowed to sleep on my bed? Have you no respect for me or fear of God that you have done such a thing?"

Luddan apologized and told Heer that he was mesmerized by Ranjha’s song. So Heer turned towards Ranjha and ordered him to get up from her couch. Heer was furious and even scolded her maids. The queen in her wrath was a sight to behold.

Ranjha opened his eyes and saw Heer standing in front of him. They both looked into each other’s eyes. The mere look of Ranjha melted Heer’s heart. Then, Ranjha narrated to her the story of his life and journey. The journey had led him to his destination – Heer was his love, his goal, his everything.

Heer convinced Mihr Chuchak, her father, to employ Ranjha as his herdsman. Chuchak said, "He seems to be a mere lad but he has wise eyes and a kindly disposition. You are championing his cause with zeal. We will see how the boy turns out. The boy can be given charge of the buffaloes, but bid him take care, as it is no easy task to tend buffaloes in the bar."

Heer then came to Ranjha and consoled him with her sweet speech. She said, "I will bring you butter and sugar and sweet bread. Go and drive the buffaloes into the forest and have trust in God. My sixty maids and I will accompany you and together we will track the footprints of the last cattle.

Ranjha took up the task of a herdsman. He performed his duties very well and Mihr Chuchak was happy. Fortune favored Ranjha and he met the five Pirs in the forest. They told him that all his wishes would come true. They also told him that God has bestowed Heer on him.

Heer kept her promise and brought food for Ranjha while he was in the forest. She came to fulfill her heart’s desire. She brought him rice, sugar, butter and milk. Heer comforted Ranjha with sweet words and poured all her soul on him. She took a bowl of rice and pudding for Ranjha to the forest, everyday. They promised to be loyal to each other throughout life. Heer gave up spinning yarn and no longer sat with her friends. She sat all day with Ranjha.

The news about Heer and Ranjha’s love spread like wild fire in the whole of Jhang. The root cause was Kaidu, Heer’s uncle. He kept a constant watch over the lovers. Heer’s mother came to know about the relationship between Heer and Ranjha. She ordered Heer to stop meeting Ranjha. But, Heer refused to leave Ranjha.

One day Heer was taking food for Ranjha. Kaidu appeared as a fakir and took the food from Ranjha and showed it to the council of village elders. Chuchak could not believe it. He asked Heer for an explanation, but she stood her ground and refused to give Ranjha up. When Ranjha returned from the forest, he was ordered to leave the village.

Ranjha was sent away without his wages. He had grazed the buffaloes for twelve years and yet was thrown out without any wages. In a rage, he shook the dust of the Siaals and gave up the service of Chuchak.

People of the village cursed Chuchak for not paying Ranjha. So, Chuchak called Ranjha back and put him on the job once again. Heer’s mother told him, "Do not fret over much about the quarrel you had with Chuchak. Parents and children often fall out in such small matters. Come back and milk our buffaloes and lay Heer’s couch. Since you have gone, she has been displeased with us. Our cattle, our wealth, the Siaals and Heer are all yours". Ranjha heartened at these words and once more became Chuchak’s herdsman.

When Heer returned from the forest, her parents sent for the Qazi. The Qazi told Heer, "It is not becoming of Chuchak’s daughter to talk to cowherds and penniless coolies. In a few days the messengers of your wedding will be here. Preparations for the marriage are all but complete. The Kheras will bring a marriage procession in a few days to take you to your husband’s house."

Heer replied to her father, "As opium-eaters cannot live without opium, so I cannot live without Ranjha". The Qazi was enraged and said, "Nobody can stop or stay with this wicked girl. Heer’s pride knows no bounds. She must be given in marriage at once." Heer called aside one of her friends and sent her to Ranjha at once with the following message, "My parents and the Qazi are oppressing me and my life is being taken from me even as sugar is pressed out of a sugar mill. You, friend are living happily but an army of sorrows is invading me."

Ranjha was very confused and he stood before the five Pirs with tear-stained eyes. He asked them to help him or his love would be ruined. His wish was granted and they bestowed Heer as his Malangan and Mate.