THE FAMOUS RAJASTHANI LEGEND OF DHOLA-MARU

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Site name: Shree Ganga Mata Mandir, Nagaur, Rajasthan
Article written by: Laxmi Kanta Saini
Edited by: Shreeya Rawat

 

THE FAMOUS RAJASTHANI LEGEND OF DHOLA-MARU

 

Shree Ganga Mata Mandir is situated in the Nawa Tehsil of Nagaur District in Rajasthan. The temple is made upon an elevated platform with a raised staircase which leads to the main entry gate of the temple. The temple is approached through a recessed multi-cusped arched gateway with gokhas (arched sit-outs) on both the sides. There are three multi-cusped arched bays in the front and two bays on either side of the gokhas. The cornice of the gateway is supported by multiple carved brackets. The jagamohan (worship hall) of the temple comprises tibaris on both the sides which are festooned with paintings. The temple has a courtyard and a garbhagriha in which the idol of Shree Ganga Mata is installed.




One of the tibari of the worship hall illustrates the famous Rajasthani folk love story of ‘Dhola - Maru’, one that is deeply rooted in folklore and oral traditions of Rajasthan and has various versions. This is a love story of the Narwar Prince Salhakumar, or Dhola and Poogal Princess Maruni or Maru. The couple is married in their childhood. However, after the death of his father, King Nal, Dhola forgets about the childhood marriage and gets married again to Malwani. Maru meanwhile sends many messages to Dhola, but these are destroyed by Malwani. A group of folk singers from Poogal then visit Narwar and remind Dhola about his first wife Maru. Dhola makes a perilous journey, faces many obstacles, and arrives at Poogal and Dhola and Maru are united at last.

In return journey, Umar, a local nobleman, who was in love with Maru tries to kill Dhola. However, Dhola and Maru escape on a camel reaching Narwar and lived happily ever after.


These paintings belong to Marwar School of art and are made in tempera technique. The origin of this story is in the Marwar region and from here, extended to the entire Rajasthan. This popular painting can be seen on the walls of temples and havelis in the Marwar region of Rajasthan. The artists usually pick out a scene to characterize the story. Hence, the last episode of their love story, the camel ride and chase, is most commonly depicted on the walls as in this wall painting. The painting shows the couple on a camel, while Maru is turned back and shooting arrows towards Umar Sumra and his men.



Umar Sumra and their people are depicted in another panel, chasing Dhola-Maru and firing from muskets. Arrows are also seen in this panel.

Immemorial folk songs and couplets are still sung in their names throughout Rajasthan, narrating the story of their difficult love.

 

REFERENCE

1.   Chaitanya, Krishna, (1982), ‘A History of Indian Painting: Rajasthani Traditions’, Abhinav Publications, New Delhi. 

2.   रामसिंह, (1995) सूर्यकरण पारीक, नरोत्तमदास स्वामी ढोला मारू रा दूहा : राजस्थानी का एक सुप्रसिद्ध प्राचीन लोकगीत, जोधपुर : राजस्थानी ग्रन्थागार 


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