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Folk sayings are very important in folk literature. These are very short, limited in two or four lines having deep meaning regarding family relations, different aspects of social gathering, community feelings and interactions and with their daily works. These folk
sayings are very simple sometimes, but have deep meaning and very impressive presentation. Lahndi speaking people are very honest,hard working, god fearing and very healthy. Some sayings are deeply related with family relationships, like that between husband & wife,brother & sister, parents & their children, mother-in-law & daughter-in-law etc. Ladies characteristics are in the center of some sayings. Male members are very important in agriculture and trading. It seems that in that very age, ladies were not allowed to work with men in the field of agriculture and trade. Some examples below will show the different aspects of this community, living in different parts of India and Pakistan. These sayings and proverbs are collected from the old ladies (Lahandi) living in different part of Haryana, Punjab & Delhi. E.Obrien has also given examples of Maltani sayings. But the real problem of Lahandi is given below.
Ammā bābā da mitthā nā oparē chhi kē dhupp sattan, apnē sattan chhā. (Parents are good to their own
children, but they are different in their behaviour to strangers)
Jā chhapri, māll bakri, Puttar ohi jēra vēhlē sir pakri.
(It is better to have own chhapri (house)and wealth in hand is always helpful. It is the case with one’s son, who should be helpful to parents whenever there is need)
Sohrē ghar jāwātrā , kuttē ki binist. (If a son-in-law stays in in-law’s house for a long time, he has no respect)
Sass naũ Ladiyan, (लड़ीयां )
Tē hikkē chokē vadiyan. (Vadiyā वड़ीयां) (Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law usually quarrel over small matters, but their quarrel is not everlasting, because they stay in the same house and work together in the same kitchen forever).
Hunalē di jhari dā kihā pattā, Mēh dā hikk sing sinnā tē hikk sukkā.
(This shows the uncertainty of weather in summer. On a summer shower, what trust can be placed, a buffalo has one horn wet and the other dry)
āp lurdhi vēndi, tē binnhā kũ matti bēndī.
(One who is dishonest has no right to give advice to others for honesty).
So siānē di hikkā matt,
gālhẽ di āpō āpni.
(Hundred wise people have same opinion, but a foolish person always has a different opinion)
Tur nā saggē āp, tē lānat godeā kũ.
(A person, who is not able to do anything for himself, blames others for his inability).
Kothhē Utte kā,
Ghot di khatti, tē peu dā nā.
(A Married woman always narrates her husband’s earnings as her father’s earnings).
Panchēt dā ākheā mathē, (मथे )
tē parnālā uthaẽ dā uthaē.
(stubborn person cannot be changed).
Anjoanj thēā, tā galleā,
Hikk thēā, tā bacheā
(Unity is strength, so if you are separated, you are lost but if you are united you aresaved).
Mẽ vi ranī tē tu ni rāni,
tē kaun bharīsē pāni.
(If all sit idle in a home, how can work be done)?
Hatth hovē kār dē pāsē,
tē dil hovē yār dē pāsē.
(One who’s mind and heart are not balanced, move in opposite direction).
Jo sāwē tē koi nā āwē,
Jo pakkē tā millan sakkē.
(Friends and relatives donot come to your help in unfortunate times, but in good times,everyone will be with you).
Gharibā di roti rukkhi,
Tē din vi vaddē thee.
(A poor man has no chapati to eat and his days are also very long).
Khā Multān di misri,
Vattan dē vissari.
(Muttan is famous for certain things like misri (crystallized sugar) which is really relished by all people).
Khawā peewā so balāi
Utthi nā saggā itthõ taĩ.
(One is fond of eating many items, but he is not in a position to move a single step).
Jē dē rāh nā vanjē
hũ dā pandh kē puchchī (पुछे)
(There is no use to ask someone for an advice, if you are not going to follow it).
Khajji tȇdi de pilȇ gaudore
Sambhal ki āvi viri vasade ni sore.
Nā sadd vich nā puchh vich,
Mȇ ghõt di buā.
(Neither invited nor consulted , but the lady says that she is aunt to the bridegroom)
Attan di runn, Nā kār, Nā kumm.
(This is used for those ladies, who do nothing except wasting their time roaming here and there).
Har kui āpni hatti dā haukā dēndē.
(Every potter praises his own pot).
Mui runn gittē di satt,
Marad marē tē sir di satt.
(This society is very particular about the importance of male, if wife dies it makes a little difference, but if husband dies it is like
blow on the head).
Hikk ddhukkdi nahī, mȇ dũ parnesā.
(A man is not able to keep with one wife and he says I will marry two).
Nāni mars kitā¸ dohtrē kũ chatti peī.
(This shows the sexual lust of a maternal grandmother, whose grandson is going to be born and at the same time she is going to get
married again).
Kunni tu kyā runni, Mȇ uttõ uttõ munni. Nāni khavāē churi, Nāni kuri Mā khav̄aē guā¸ mā uā Māvā dhiā āpo ap̄ Buā bhatiji hikko jāt. Rabb bhāvē maut dēvē, Par saut kȇkū nā dēvē. Gali tē satēsā, tē sharik kū nā dēsā. Butthi chhibbi yā mardē vēlē thindi ē yā sav̄al karan vēlē. Pottr parnāyā tē giā Note bhaneyā tē giā.
There are certain sayings in Lahndi which are related to some very famous lore stories like that of Heer-Ranjha, Sarri – punni, Sahiba and many others. Here are some examples of those sayings:
Dēkh siālẽ di dosti, Sāhibā muttē khatt, ālam rondā hanjũ, sāhibā rondi ratt. Vāh khudā tȇdi ajab khudāi, Hikkreā dost milēndē, hikkreā ghattē judāi. Khajji tȇdi dē pilē gandorē, Sambhal kē āvi, vȇvi vassdē ni sorē. Hikk vichhorā yār dā, dujhā rāt kāi. Hikk til māhī tū vissde nā hāsē, Hun ghaniā vitthā peā. Yār assādā koi patlā patang hē Hatth vich chhallā, mūh sonē dā rang hē Sēngi kanū (Kolū) pucchē sēngi, tȇdā ki jēhā yār hē, Vingrē chunẽ mas lāhndi nāl hē Bȇtthi nir vahāyē, tȇdē bājhõ dholā, Tȇdē kāran jāni, sar hoiā kolā Salāmat rahē na vissarē nā yād rahē. Ghulli vā ghull pai hilā Rāho vall āvi Rānjhuā, kā powini dalilā (दलीलां). Tȇdē pichhõ marsā, jivē yār, Mimhi khatrā jind dā
There are certain sayings, which are in the form of short folk songs, or they appear to be short folk songs:
Sāhib dittā jālan, rann kuchajji nāllornāl) Khārā khāndi rotiā, kunnā kivē dāl, Hāthi vāngu patli, tavē vāngu lāl, Chhappar pēndi ghaggharā, truā karē rumāl, Gaddēh vāngu hingdi, sārē vehrē dā singār. Hũ Kanũ darijē¸ jē hrā mũh tē kur mārē, Hũ kanũ darije, jēhrā kandh dē pārõ vattēmārē. Hũ kanũ darije, jēhrā daryā di pārõ bujjē dēvē.
Jaggu dē dohrē autthē¸ mihā utlē chhapar vutthē, Mil bakkriā kasāi kū kutthē, kanjari ayyāl mutthē Bhokin char tē nassin kuttē.
Chētr visākh ghummē Jētth Hār summē, Sāwan Bāddhro dhā wē, Assū kattē thodā khāwē, Tabibā pās nā jāwē. Tēdē lārē tā parnē vi kuārē. (It is used for that person who always makes lame excuses and does nothing) Changā āyā Neb Rāj, Pallē nahī thikriā, Khāwan āyā kāj. (It is used for those persons who sponge on others) Ddhiddh nā payiā rotiā Sabbē gallā khotiā. (It is truth that if one is hungry, he can’t do any work, all of us needs food to work). Sunnē kū mīleā chandrā, hū māri kundi tē hū māreā jāndrā
(It is said when two persons are friends or partners and both of them are idle, because both are of same kind, have same habit to sit idle, no one will work).
There are certain sayings in Lahndi, which indicate some short stories. These sayings actually present a dialogue of any conversation between two persons in those short stories. Here are two examples: Inhā viskiniā nā visk, jo muyā tarkhē akkh Trī pitēs sir kānũ, mȇ pitēsā vakkh. This saying presents a scene of a short story of a tigress and a deer. A great friendship once existed between a tigress and a deer, but one day the tiger having failed to obtain food while hunting, told the tigress to bring the deer and that he would feign to be dead & when the deer will come near, he will kill the deer. Accordingly the tigress told the deer that her husband was dead and invited it to come and bewail his loss. When they approached the tiger, the deer saw his eyes riling and pronounced the above lines of the saying, first line deer addressed to itself & second to the tigress.
Lā kitāb bulēndi iū Chāki dand bhirāyā kiū Khal khawā tē kitus motā. Dand dā dand tē so rupaiyā chotā.
Once a Chāki’s bullock fought and killed a kāzi’s bullock. Before the kazi heard of it, the chāki went and asked him, if in the case of two animal’s fighting, the owner was responsible. The kāzi said he was not, because animals have no sense. Then the chāki said, “my bullock fought with yours and killed it”, that is quite a different thing, said that kāzi, and got out his book of the law (Lāl kitāb) and gave the above sentences of the saying.
Riddles are very important form of Folk-literature. It is very easy to understand Folk songs, Folk tales and sayings - Proverbs, but it is very difficult to know the real meaning of Riddles. These Lahnda (Lahndi) Riddles like other Folk literature are mainly questions. Riddles are mental exercise. Here are some Lahndi Riddles. Amir khusrow (अमीर खुश्रो) is known for his Riddles, which have deep meaning.
Here are some Lahndi Riddles with its meaning: (1) O Chattah Aandrā Dā Chattaha Gundrā Dā Jerha Bujhārat nā Bujjhei, Putr Bāndrā Dā The answer of this Riddle is ‘Charpai’ (Mangi) (Cot, bedstead)
(2) Bhajdā Vanj Pagg Valtēnda Vanj. Deep meaning is ‘Alēran’ (औरत पर सूत चढ़ना) (3) Lāl kun mȇ (Mein) Hotth (Lāeyā) Lāl Mekan chack Paeyā. Answer: ‘Wash’ (4) Chitti thigri Chāwal Badhe Deeh Vinejeh Rāt ku Labbhe (Ladhe) Answer: ‘Stars’ (5) Andhi Manjh traphē Lōrhā Answer: ‘Shoe’ (6) ‘Chitti thigri Khudā labhāi Tū kiyā chhāti kidi Mādi āhī Answer: ‘Mushroom’ (7) Nikkle Jae khue Te tapp nā sake koe Answer: ‘Religion Book’ Pothi. (8) Uche tebbe Majh Rad̄āve huddā khatta Har koe khave Answer: Chakki (grinding mill) (9) Bachpan hundā Har ku Bhave Vaddā Thive te kamm nā Aave. Answer: Deepak. (10) Sir Jhatt vich touchhar Hath vich Answer: Hatchet. (Ku hāri) (11) Hik rukh de date, Hik Banne Kale duje Banne elitte’ Answer: Day & Night. (12) Doo kabuttar Udthe Vade Kamb hun no de kālle Nā kuja khāvan Na khujh pivan Rabb hunna kum pale Answer: Eyes (13) Hikk shāe kāhe (Kahir) nā Dithi Chann Kanu sohani Shahd kann Mithi. Answer: -------- (14) Deeh vele ku nazar nā Aava Rāt ku dhera pāvā Jadu Kadu mede sathi Bolan Mai vee rāg sunāvā Answer: Owl. (15) Rāh uttē dhingri, ānda vēndā chimhari ? Answer: Hū kkā (hubble bubble) (16) Chār Veer mede Akhne Makhne Chār Veer Mede mitti Chakhne do veer mede khare munāre do veer mede chunnah tare bhen Vichari Makhiya mare Answer: ‘Buffalo’ (17) Bhajja vanj bhājai Vanj sen ku huth Pai vanj Answer: ‘Cycle’ (18) Nikkiya Nikkiya Keeāriya Nikke Nikke bu, Jerha midi Gāll bujhē Devā rupea veeh. Answer: ‘Book’ (19) Bujh mēda Bujhākkā Tida āp jēdā sakkā. Answer: ‘Shadow’ Parchai. (20) Outrediya dee Ghori, hik chahe tā Bēdi Do charhan tān Bhagori. ‘भूला ‘ (21) Hik hāi rann hunde chār kann. Lakk bann ke Mukdamā lardi gae Val git mit kardi gae. ‘मधाणी‘ (22) Aār pār mēdi māsi Vasdi Je mai Vanna khir khir hasdi Je mai āvā ro-ro Mardi. Cotton - कपाए . (23) Hik Kahāni mae (मैं) sunāwa Sun ve mēdē bhirāvā Hik darkhat ku trē phal lagge Sadh vanjah te Jeerā. (Upalō kā Chaurā) (24) Dudh deve bhāve oh gā kona Littā tā hen bhāne sādh konā Putha Latke rukkhā vichkār Chamgāthad vu oh nae yār Biyābān vicho Lok Anedan Bijho medi eh gāll, Sujāh. – Answer- ‘Coconut’ (25) Kālā hai kalandhar hai, kale true dā puttar hai. ādo pāni peendā hai, Kuār kann Vahinda hai’ बैगण . (26) Demp de vich petha thive थीवे chhā dekh Mushāve Hawā lagge Mar vanje (Vanne) Answer - Sweet. (27) Kāli kuti van vich sutti Vadh vadh ke meve khave Lāt Sāb ne kunji pheri Dhon dhon karendi āve. Answer: Train. (28) Hik Rann, jehde Chār kann Bachre lukāve dādhi (डाढ़ी) bhāve. - Answer- Quilt. (29) Pen devi paise Gan nā sake Mā devi Savaḍ (सवड़) Pā nā sakke’ Answer- Stars. (30) Chār khade chār karhe Hik Hik de moh (मुँह) vich do-do varhe’. Answer-(Cot, bedstead) (31) Chitte pathar te kukkaḍ kuthā Khal karādi jera Mitha Answer- ‘Water melon’ (32) Andhe khnh vich Guggal nachche सुखेदाती (Phial to hold collyrium) (33) Chakkā chakk Machkkā Chakkā bazār Vikave Chakke ku koe nā khave. Answer-Soap. (34) Peeli (pili) dabli nochedār Jeadē vich māve deth hazār. (Pomegranate) (35) Bahru āiya do chhokariya Manj sa Uviyā ghaghriya utton Chitiya bachhaviya. Answer: Radish ‘मूली ‘ (36) Sodi gali sapp valete : ऐढ़ा (37) Katorē vich katorā Pottr peu tā vi gorā. Answer : (Coconut) (38) Mukk marāī lim kadhāī talli utte rakh divāī . Answer: (Onion).
1A. Jukes uses the name Jakti or Western Panjabi. (Dictionary of the Jakti of Western Panjabi Language, 1909). Sir James Wilson used the name Western Panjabi. (Grammar and Dictionary of Western Panjabi). Sir George Abraham Grierson used the name of Lahanda or Western Panjabi. (Linguistic Survey of India, vol. VII, part. I.) The photostat print of vol. VIII, part I and vol. IX, part I relating to Lahanda and Panjabi of the Linguistic Survey of India have been published by this Language Department, Patiala in 1961 under the title of Grierson of Panjabi. The title and the brief foreword do not apparently show any sign of distinction between Panjabi and Lahanda.
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