Bootan
Mandi in Jalandhar, my native place, is a non-descript locality on Nakodar Road
(Ambedkar Marg). The Mandi once was a thriving business centre for raw and
tanned leather. Most of the residents belong to dalit community of Chamar
(Ad-dharmi) extraction and as such are the followers of Guru Ravidass. The birthday anniversary of Guru Ravidass is
celebrated at the Mandi with great devotion and gaiety traditionally for about
a century. The celebrations culminate into the Shoba Yatra or Nagar Kirtan
(previously called Jaloos) one day before the Prakash Utsav or Gurpurab
(previously called Janam Din) and the religious Congregation in the day time
and grand reverential song and poetic Darbar on the day of Gurupurab. With the
increasing political and socio-economic profile of Bootan Mandi, the occasion
became an important event in the socio-cultural life of Jalandhar over the
years. Traditionally it was a sober and solemn occasion and was observed under
spiritual norms. Later on, with the changing times, it has tended to become a
common Mela type event with all fun and frolic around. The entire area, in and
around Bootan Mandi, is cordoned off for the event. Each and every building and
even the private houses are decked and illuminated for a week or so. The Prabhat
Pheris (street recital and singing of Gurbani in the moorings) start about two
weeks in advance. The community kitchens (langars) are set up and served on
both the days at several places. The entire area becomes a gallery of large
hoardings of congratulations on the Gurupurab of the great Guru.
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| Singer Surinder Shinda at Bootan Mandi |
With
this background, I would like to touch another aspect of the celebrations at
Bootan Mandi. In the mid 1960s dedicated youth took over the reins. I remember
and recall my cherished memories of excellent Kavi Darbars (Poetry Recital) in
1965-66 under the guidance of Pritam Ramdaspuri and leadership of Seth Durga
Dass and Prem Shant. Some of the known poets like Vidhata Singh Tir, Hazara
Singh Mustak, Kartar Singh Balaggan, Charan Singh Safri, Gurdass Ram Alam and
others mesmerized the audiences with their poetic renditions. For the next
three years, the responsibility to maintain the tradition fell on my slander
strength as the General Secretary of the then Guru Ravidass Youth Club. I did
my best in the face of many odds as the trend of inviting famous singers rather
than poets was getting favour merely because of attraction to glamour. Over the
years, the organizers could not resist and the culture of dance and song by an
array of the best singers in Punjab creped in. The lure of money and the urge
to get famous attracted the best of talent to perform at Bootan Mandi on the
Gurupurab. My brother, Paramjit Mahey, also remained at the helm as General
Secretary of Guru Ravidass Educational and Charitable Trust for many years. The
traditional Gurudwara was transformed into an elegant Satguru Ravidass Dham
with the efforts of the then Mayor of Jalandhar, Surinder Mahey and his
associates. Now, the Dham is the focal point of Gurupurab celebrations. The
song writers like Rattu Randhawa, Chann Gorayanwala, Madan Jalandhari and
others penned lyrics invoking the beauty and gaiety of Bootan Mandi in the
celebrations. The famous singers namely Hans Raj Hans, Kanth Klair, K.S.
Makhan, Master Saleem, Nooran Sisters, inter alia, gave their voice to the
songs and enthralled audiences over the years. It is a matter of pride for the
Bootanmandians.
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| Singers Sardool Shikander and Noorie at Bootan Mandi |
The
legendary Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans remained one of the regulars for many years
to perform at Bootan Mandi. He sang with
élan:
‘Sohne Punjab Da Shehar Jalandhar;
Bootan Mandi Jisde Andar !’
In
a lighter vein, he devised his own folklore called Mahia:
‘Do Pattar Anaraan De, Jehne Sanu Milna Hove
Vehde Aajo Chamara De”
Another
famous Punjabi singer Kaler Kanth beautifully sang:
‘Bootan Mandi Aajo; Jene Dekhna Nazara e”
This
song became the tune of spontaneous bhangra in the Shoba Yatras for many years.
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| Shobha Yatra at Bootan Mandi |
Adding
to the dance and song sequences, Master Saleem:
‘Aawo Sangate Ajj Nachiye Ta Gaayiye
Appan,
Bootan Mandi Janam Dihada Khusiyan Naal
Maniye Appan’
Babbu
Jalandhria referred to the Mela at Bootan Mandi:
‘Bootan Mandi Mela Lagda Ravidas Piare
Da’
Nooran
Sisters last year stole the show at Bootan Mandi with with their rendition in
the Qawwali style:
‘Bootan Mandi Lag Janda Dil Bhagto”
It
may be added that Nooran Sisters are the grand-daughters of the famous folk
singer Bibi Nooran who was a resident of Bootan Mandi.
Appreciating
the illuminations and fire work at Bootan Mandi on the Gurupurab, the famous
singer K.S. Makhan sang in his imitable style:
‘Sajavat Karke Karti Jhandi, Lishkaan Maare
Bootan Mandi’
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| Satgurr Ravidass Dham at Bootan Mandi |
These
were some of the picks which I could gather off the cuff. There may be many
more. It is a matter of gratification for Bootan Mandi and its residents. But
at the same time, it evolves responsibility to maintain and improve the content
and tenor of the celebrations of the Prakash Utsav of the great Guru Ravidass
in the coming years. It will be a befitting tribute the Guru.
Greetings
and Congratulations on the Gurpurab of Guru Ravidassji on February 3.
