Ichchhadhari Nag
Encyclopedia
Ichchadhari Nag or Nagin (Hindi
: इच्छाधारी नाग या नागिन or Shape-shifting Snake) is a mythical creature in Indian stories. This creature was originally a venomous snake which could take the form of any living thing
, but preferred to be in the form of a human being.
Ichchadhari Nag, in snake form, possess a gem called " Mani", considered much more valuable than a diamond
. Legends tell of many people losing their lives through snake bite, when the snakes took revenge for stolen Mani, or if either of a pair of snakes was killed. According to legend, the snakes can be controlled using Been
, the musical instrument used by snake charmers.
superhero character "Nagraj" ("Snake-King") (नागराज in Devanagari script) is also based on these legends. There is another famous Hindi comic character Tausi(तौसी) who was the male shape shifting snake. Apart from these the concept had been used for many children short stories.
movies incorporate the Ichchadhari Nag legends, or the character of Nagraj, such as Nagin (1954 film)
, Sridevi in the 1986 movie Nagina (film)
, and Reena Roy
in Nagin (1976 film)
. The most famous songs are " तन डोले मेरा मन डोले :-Tan dole mera man dole." (My body swings, my mind swings), "मैं तेरी दुश्मन, दुश्मन तू मेरा , मैं नागिन तू सपेरा:- Main teri dushman, Dushman tu mera, main nagin tu sapera" (I am your enemy, you are my enemy, I am female snake, you are a snake Charmer.), and तेरे संग प्यार मैं नहीं छोड़ना :- Tere sang Pyar main nahi Chhodna" ( I won't stop loving you.)
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
: इच्छाधारी नाग या नागिन or Shape-shifting Snake) is a mythical creature in Indian stories. This creature was originally a venomous snake which could take the form of any living thing
Shapeshifting
Shapeshifting is a common theme in mythology, folklore, and fairy tales. It is also found in epic poems, science fiction literature, fantasy literature, children's literature, Shakespearean comedy, ballet, film, television, comics, and video games...
, but preferred to be in the form of a human being.
Ichchadhari Nag, in snake form, possess a gem called " Mani", considered much more valuable than a diamond
Diamond (gemstone)
A diamond is one of the best-known and most sought-after gemstones...
. Legends tell of many people losing their lives through snake bite, when the snakes took revenge for stolen Mani, or if either of a pair of snakes was killed. According to legend, the snakes can be controlled using Been
Pungi
The pungi, also called the been, or bin is a wind instrument played by snake charmers in India. The pungi is similar to the Chinese Hulusi but has only two reed pipes, known as the "jivala". The pungi was improved to produce the Shehnai. The pungi originated in India and is still played by snake...
, the musical instrument used by snake charmers.
Children Comics
The legends of Ichchadhari Nag have been used as a plot basis for many comic plot and stories. The comic bookComic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
superhero character "Nagraj" ("Snake-King") (नागराज in Devanagari script) is also based on these legends. There is another famous Hindi comic character Tausi(तौसी) who was the male shape shifting snake. Apart from these the concept had been used for many children short stories.
Bollywood
Many BollywoodBollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
movies incorporate the Ichchadhari Nag legends, or the character of Nagraj, such as Nagin (1954 film)
Nagin (1954 film)
Nagin is a 1954 film directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal, starring Vyjayanthimala and Pradeep Kumar.- Synopsis :Two Adivasi tribes are in conflict for some local economic rights. The daughter of the Nagi tribe's chief, Mala vows to kill the son of the Ragi tribe's chief, Sanatan as revenge...
, Sridevi in the 1986 movie Nagina (film)
Nagina (film)
Nagina is 1986 Hindi film, produced and directed by Harmesh Malhotra, written by Jagmohan Kapoor, and starring Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi in lead roles.-Plot:...
, and Reena Roy
Reena Roy
Reena Roy was one of the top Hindi film actresses in India. She performed leading roles in many films from 1972 to 1985 .-Early life and background:...
in Nagin (1976 film)
Nagin (1976 film)
Nagin is a 1976 Hindi horror fantasy thriller film produced and directed by Rajkumar Kohli. It features a huge ensemble cast including Sunil Dutt, Reena Roy, Jeetendra, Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan, Vinod Mehra, Kabir Bedi, Rekha, Yogeeta Bali and Mumtaz...
. The most famous songs are " तन डोले मेरा मन डोले :-Tan dole mera man dole." (My body swings, my mind swings), "मैं तेरी दुश्मन, दुश्मन तू मेरा , मैं नागिन तू सपेरा:- Main teri dushman, Dushman tu mera, main nagin tu sapera" (I am your enemy, you are my enemy, I am female snake, you are a snake Charmer.), and तेरे संग प्यार मैं नहीं छोड़ना :- Tere sang Pyar main nahi Chhodna" ( I won't stop loving you.)