"Rājamati" (Devanagari: राजमति) is a traditional Nepalese ballad about an unsuccessful love quest, and is the most well known song in Newar society of Nepal. Written by an unnamed composer, it dates from the early 19th century and is based on a true story.
The song in Nepal Bhasa also gained fame because it was played in London during the state visit of Nepalese Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana to England in 1850.
It was first recorded on gramophone disc by maestro Seturam Shrestha in Kolkata in 1908. A movie of the same name and based on the story of the song was released in 1995.
Rajamati is the name of a girl from Kathmandu whose beauty attracted many suitors. However, a devious matchmaker gets her married off despite her protests, and she ends up in a poor family. Rajamati was born at Taha Nani in Itum Bahal, a historical neighborhood in central Kathmandu.
In the song, an infatuated man expresses his love for Rajamati, and threatens to leave home and go to Kashi and become an ascetic if he doesn't get to marry her. Then he describes her hair, eyes, complexion and moles on the cheek. The song also mentions a celebrated episode connected with Rajamati, how she went to fetch water from the water spout at Maruhiti and tripped on a large stone and fell flat on her back.
A movie of the same name and based on the song and directed by Neer Shah was released in 1995. It is the second big screen film to be made in Nepal Bhasa. In 1964, Prem Dhoj Pradhan also made a recording of Rajamati on 78 rpm gramophone disc. Since then, the song has been recorded by many artists.
San dhāsā kuli kuli, mikhā dhāsā bālā bālā
Sakumi yā mhyāy machā lā
Khwā dhāsā tuyu khwā, khwālay niga tee du
Tāhā Nani yā Rājamati-chā.
Khen khwalā dhyākway dan, pasa baji dhu dan
Rājamati bhulu sulu dan
Rājamati gana du, Itum Bāhālay chhamha du
Hayā biu Rājamati-chā.
Nhāpā wamha Tarhi Thakun, lipā wamha Chirhi Thakun
Wayā lipā Rājamati-chā
Tarhi Thakun mayo jita, Chirhi Thakun mile maju
Rājamati byāhā yānā biu.
Tarhi Thakun yā tāyo du, Chirhi Thakun yā pāyo du
Rājamati yā bijakani du
Bijakani marumha, kalā jita mayo bubā
Hayā biu Rājamati-chā.
Thane yā Thahiti, kwane yā Kwahiti
Biche lāka Maruhiti
Maruhitii la kā wamha, tagwa lohantay luphin hānā
Rājamati thasa pāla nhā.
Tisā nan tiyakā, Gujerati puyakā
Rājamati bhyāhā yānā biu
Rājamati bila dhāsā Kāshi wane makhu bubā
Hayā biu Rājamati-chā.
The hair is curly, the eyes are half open
Is she the daughter of a man from Sakwa?
The face is fair, there are two moles on the face
Little Rajamati of Taha Nani.
There are egg shells in the corner, rice flakes from the market have been ground to dust
Rajamati's hair is dishevelled.
Where is Rajamati, there is one in Itum Bahal
Bring me little Rajamati.
The girl in front is Tarhi Thakun, the one following her is Chirhi Thakun
Little Rajamati is behind her.
I don't like Tarhi Thakun, Chirhi Thakun is not suitable
Get me married to Rajamati.
Tarhi Thakun has a "tāyo" locket, Chirhi Thakun has anklets
Rajamati has ear ornaments.
I do not want a wife without ear ornaments
Bring me little Rajamati.
Thahiti of uptown, Kwahiti of downtown
Between them lies Maruhiti.
She went to Maruhiti to fetch water and tripped on a large stone
Rajamati fell flat on her back.
Decorate her with jewellery, let flutes play
Marry me with Rajamati.
If Rajamati is given to me, I will not go to Kashi, father
Bring me little Rajamati.
