ASSAMESE FOLKLORE - KOMOLA KUWARI

A friend of mine was commenting that there are hardly any English translations of Assamese folk tales. Maybe there are. But, I could not find anything to give her. So, I thought of translating one story that my mom used to narrate to me while I was a kid. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do....

Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Kamrup, there lived a King and his Queen. The King and his Queen, Komola Kuwari loved each other very much and they lived in peace.

One year, there was a severe drought in Kamrup. There was no rain. All the crops died. After a few months, the rivers and the wells also dried up. But, still, there was no rain. Soon, the cattle started dying. All the food grains that the people had saved got over. There was no food and water in the kingdom. The King was very generous and fed the people with grains from his palace. Finally, a day came, when the King’s ministers told him that the food-grains in his palace will be able to feed the people only for one more week.

That night, the King had a dream. He dreamt that he was standing in front of Lord Varuna, the rain-God. Lord Varuna said, “O King, this is your test. You are well-known for being a just and kind king. But, who do you love more- your people or your Queen?” The King asked, “My Lord, I am not able to understand.” Lord Varuna said, “Near the foot of the hill, dig a deep well. Put your Queen at the bottom of the well. I will fill the well with water. Once the well is filled, the rains will come.” The King asked, “Thank you, my Lord. But what will happen to Komola Kuwari?” Lord Varuna smiled and said, “If you love your people and if you are a good king, you will have to sacrifice your Queen.” Saying this, Lord Varuna disappeared and the King woke up.

The King could not bear the thought of losing his beloved Queen. On the other hand, he could not tolerate the misery of his people. He did not know what to do. He was so worried that he could not eat or sleep for the next two days. Komola Kuwari noticed this and asked, “What is worrying you, my Lord?” The King, after a long pause, replied, “Lord Varuna appeared in my dream. He said that the rains will come only if I put you in the bottom of a deep well. Lord Varuna will fill the well with water and then the rains will come.” Komola Kuwari laughed and said, “Is that all? My Lord, you know that I am scared of the dark. Is that why you are hesitating? But, I will be happy to do this little thing for the welfare of our people. As soon as the water starts filling, you can take me out.” The King looked at her and smiled at her innocence. He said, “No. Anyway, maybe it was just a dream.” But, that night, the King saw the exact same dream. Lord Varuna said, “O King, you are blinded by the love of a woman. Do your duty. Dharma (duty) is the most important thing in the world.  Do not let your forefathers down.” The King woke up with a start. He did not know what to do. But, next morning, from the balcony of his palace, he saw that some people were digging a well near the hill. Komola Kuwari came to him and said, “My Lord, have pity on our poor people. They will soon die of hunger and thirst. Please forgive me but I have ordered the digging of the well.” The King hugged her and said, “Thank you for helping me make the decision.” Komola Kuwari said playfully, “Okay okay! But you know how afraid I am of the dark. Please pull me out as soon as the water starts coming.” The King nodded. Komola Kuwari asked, “Promise?” With tears in his eyes, the King again nodded.

Soon, the word spread about the well. Next morning, at dawn, Komola Kuwari dressed up in her most beautiful robes, and walked with the King to the well. The people said, “Our Queen is looking more beautiful than the rising sun!” Two workmen lowered the Queen into the well on a rope ladder. Before going down, Komola Kuwari smiled at the King and said, “Don’t worry, my Lord. I will see you in a bit.” Once the Queen reached the bottom of the well, the priests started chanting prayers. In fact, all the people started chanting prayers to Lord Varuna.

After a few moments, the King sang out to his Queen:

“Komola Kuwari, my dearest princess,

How far the water reaches?”

All the people fell silent and listened with rapt attention. Then, from the bottom of the well, came the singing voice of Komola Kuwari:

“My beloved, my happiness knows no bounds,

I feel the touch of water at my ankles, my dear!

It’s so dark down here, but I am not scared,

‘cause I know you will soon get me out of here.”

After a few more moments, the King again sang out to his Queen:

“Komola Kuwari, my dearest princess,

How far the water reaches?”

From the bottom of the well, came the singing voice of Komola Kuwari:

“My beloved, my happiness knows no bounds,

I feel the touch of water at my knees, my dear!

It’s so dark down here, but I am not scared,

‘cause I know you will soon get me out of here.”

  

After a few more moments, the King again sang out to his Queen:

“Komola Kuwari, my dearest princess,

How far the water reaches?”

From the bottom of the well, came the singing voice of Komola Kuwari:

“My beloved, my happiness knows no bounds,

I feel the touch of water at my waist, my dear!

It’s so dark down here, but I am not scared,

‘cause I know you will soon get me out of here.”

After a few more moments, the King again sang out to his Queen:

“Komola Kuwari, my dearest princess,

How far the water reaches?”

From the bottom of the well, came the singing voice of Komola Kuwari:

“My beloved, my happiness knows no bounds,

I feel the touch of water at my chest, my dear!

It’s so dark down here, but I am not scared,

‘cause I know you will soon get me out of here.”

After a few more moments, the King again sang out to his Queen:

“Komola Kuwari, my dearest princess,

How far the water reaches?”

From the bottom of the well, came the singing voice of Komola Kuwari:

“My beloved, my happiness knows no bounds,

I feel the touch of water at my neck, my dear!

It’s so dark down here, but I am not scared,

‘cause I know you will soon get me out of here.”

 After a few moments, the King sang out to his Queen in a choked voice:

“Komola Kuwari, my dearest princess,

How far the water reaches?”

From the bottom of the well, no reply came. At that moment, the rains came pouring down.

The King and the people of the entire kingdom broke down in tears. 


© Copyright 2010, Private