Rajamati
Encyclopedia
Rajamati (Nepal Bhasa: राजमति) is the second big screen film to be made in Nepal Bhasa
. The first Nepal Bhasa movie is Silu, released in 1987.
Rajamati is about a luckless Newar
girl named Rajamati from Kathmandu who gets involved in a series of failed relationships. The story is based on a 200-year old ballad
popular in Newar society. Rajamati was born at Taha Nani in Itum Baha, a historical and sacred neighborhood in central Kathmandu.
as Rajamati, Shree Krishna Shrestha
, Maniraj, Madan Krishna Shrestha
and Hari Bansha Acharya
.
The first recording of the song was made in 1964 on 78 rpm gramophone
disc. It was sung by Prem Dhoj Pradhan
.
In the song, a love-struck man tells how much he desires Rajamati, and that he will go to Kashi (Varanasi
) and become an ascetic if he doesn't get to marry her. Then he describes her curly hair, long eyes, fair complexion and moles on the cheek.
The song then mentions three sunken waterspouts in Kathmandu, Thanhiti uptown, Kwahiti at the southern end and Maruhiti in the center (near Kathmandu Durbar Square
); and how Rajamati, who had gone to Maruhiti to fetch water, tripped on a large stone and fell flat on her back.
The singer then laments how Rajamati was given away in marriage over her protestations because of a devious matchmaker, and how she ended up in a house without a decorative window.
Nepal Bhasa
Nepal Bhasa is one of the major languages of Nepal, and is also spoken in India, particularly in Sikkim where it is one of the 11 official languages. Nepal Bhasa is the mother tongue of about 3% of the people in Nepal . It is spoken mainly by the Newars, who chiefly inhabit the towns of the...
. The first Nepal Bhasa movie is Silu, released in 1987.
Rajamati is about a luckless Newar
Newar
The Newa , Newār or Newāl) are the indigenous people and the creators of the historical civilization of Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. The valley and surrounding territory have been known from ancient times as Nepal Mandala, its limits ever changing through history.Newas have lived in the Kathmandu...
girl named Rajamati from Kathmandu who gets involved in a series of failed relationships. The story is based on a 200-year old ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
popular in Newar society. Rajamati was born at Taha Nani in Itum Baha, a historical and sacred neighborhood in central Kathmandu.
Cast
Hisila MaharjanMaharjan
Maharjan's , are one of the original Newar castes or groups of Nepal, predominantly from Patan, Kirtipur, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu in Kathmandu Valley...
as Rajamati, Shree Krishna Shrestha
Shrestha
Shrēṣṭha ), is a common Newar surname . Shresthas traditionally have been predominantly traders. Since the unification of the country in the 19th century, with the opening up of the rest of the country for trading, Shresthas have migrated and settled down in various trade hubs all over Nepal, and...
, Maniraj, Madan Krishna Shrestha
Madan Krishna Shrestha
Madan Krishna Shrestha is a Nepalese comedian. Together with Hari Bansha Acharya they form MaHa which has been called "probably the most popular comic duo in Nepal".-Family:...
and Hari Bansha Acharya
Hari Bansha Acharya
Hari Bangsa Acharya is a Nepalese actor and a comedian. He is one of the most successful and respected comedians in the Nepalese entertainment industry. He is well known for his method acting. He is one of the comedy duo, "MaHa Jodi", the other one being Madan Krishna Shrestha. He also performs...
.
The song
The song "Rajamati" is one of the most popular songs of the Newars. It also gained fame because it was played in London during the state visit of Prime Minister Jung Bahadur to England in 1850.The first recording of the song was made in 1964 on 78 rpm gramophone
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
disc. It was sung by Prem Dhoj Pradhan
Prem Dhoj Pradhan
Prem Dhoj Pradhan is a Nepalese musician, born in 1938 at Chautara, a small town 28 miles east of Kathmandu.-Musical Career:Brought up by his mother in an environment where music was synonymous with meaningful living, Prem Dhoj grew up to love it. His mother, Mrs. Pran Devi Pradhan, taught him his...
.
In the song, a love-struck man tells how much he desires Rajamati, and that he will go to Kashi (Varanasi
Varanasi
-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
) and become an ascetic if he doesn't get to marry her. Then he describes her curly hair, long eyes, fair complexion and moles on the cheek.
The song then mentions three sunken waterspouts in Kathmandu, Thanhiti uptown, Kwahiti at the southern end and Maruhiti in the center (near Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, or Basantapur Durbar Square is the plaza in front of the old royal palace of the Kathmandu Kingdom. It is one of three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.-History:...
); and how Rajamati, who had gone to Maruhiti to fetch water, tripped on a large stone and fell flat on her back.
The singer then laments how Rajamati was given away in marriage over her protestations because of a devious matchmaker, and how she ended up in a house without a decorative window.