The Nine Heroic Tunes

How many of us have sat through Asa Di Vaar Kirtan before? Whether it be within the four walls of the Gurdwara Sahib or at somebody’s home, have you paid attention to the start of the Kirtan? If you paid attention to the start of the prayer you would be familiar with the line ‘Tunday Asrajay Ki Dhuni’. "Alright? What’s so significant about it then" you might think, yet the Dhunis carry life lessons and messages that continue to inspire righteousness over emotion. Make sure you read through this article and share it with all your friends! 

Dhuni

Within the Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, there are a total of 22 Vaaran known collectively as the ‘Baee Vaaran’. These Vaaran are ballads or odes composed by the Sikh Gurus and even of court musicians such as the Ramkali Ki Vaar of Bhai Balwand and Satta. Of these 22 ballads, only nine of them have a specific tune ascribed to the beginning. These tunes are called ‘Dhuni’ and draw upon valiant historical and legendary figures of Indian history. The Dhunis were ascribed as an instruction that the composition should be sung in this particular tune. That is why in Asa Di Vaar, you will hear or read ‘Tunday Asrajay Ki Dhuni’, as that is the tune ascribed to the composition. The Dhuni being named after the handicapped King Asa Raja who fought against his brother for the throne. There has been some debate as to how the Dhunis were incorporated into the Gurbani Vaaran as they were written separately and above the lines in the Kartarpuri Adi Granth Bir. Certain texts such as the Gurbilas Patshahi 6 have attributed the introduction of the Dhuni to Guru Hargobind Sahib ji as a way of stirring Bir Ras. However, the claim from the Gurbilas Granth does not hold much to the argument of scholars such as Bhai Jodh Singh and Professor Teja Singh and Ganda Singh who affirmed that the Dhunis were added due to the instruction of Guru Arjan Dev ji and have been transcribed by scribe Bhai Gurdas ji. Unfortunately, apart from Tunday Asrajay Ki Dhuni, the rest of the Dhunis have been lost and abandoned by the mainstream Sikh Panth. Today, they only survive in the memory of the Namdharis who learned them from the Rababi Bhai Taba ji. Now that we know the history of the Dhunis let’s look at what Dhunis are mentioned in Gurbani. 

Majh Ki Vaar

Majh Ki Vaar is the first of the 22 Vaars to include a Dhuni. The Dhuni for Raag Majh is based on the tale of Mureed Khan and Chandrahara Sohia: Malak Mureed tatha Chandrahara Sohia ki Dhuni. The tale surrounds the two warriors of Akbar’s army who ended up killing each other in battle. 

Gauri Ki Vaar

Gauri Ki Vaar contains the epic of Muazzuddin who gathered an army to avenge the death of his father (Sarang) who died at the hands of his uncle Kamaluddin. Muazzuddin gathers his army and faces off with Kamaluddin in a fierce battle. In the heat of the fight, Muazzuddin kills his uncle Kamaluddin in a spear duel. The Dhuni is scribed as ‘Rai Kamaldi Mojdi Ki Var Ki Dhuni’. 

Gujri Ki Vaar

Gujri Ki Vaar contains the Dhuni Sikander Brahim Ki Vaar Ki Dhuni. The tune tells of the story of the Muslim Rajput cousins Sikander (Alexander) and Ibrahim. Unlike Sikander who was of a straight and righteous character, Ibrahim was of a lustful disposition and spent most of his time engaging in erotic passions. One day upon catching the sight of a newlywed Brahmin girl, he forcibly took her to make passion with. The helpless husband sought the assistance of Sikander who wrote to his cousin for the release of the girl. Having his letter ignored, Sikander launched an assault on Ibrahim’s city after which Ibrahim was captured. Remorseful, Ibrahim vowed to live a life of piety and was released. 

Vadhans Ki Vaar

Vadhans Ki Vaar contains the Dhuni: Lalan Bahlima Ki Dhuni. The tune tells the tale of two Rajput Kings who were neighbors. One day, a drought hit Lala’s territory and he sought the assistance of Bahlima to build a canal to channel water from his territory. Bahlima agreed on the condition that Lala was to pay one-sixth of his crops to Bahlima. After the construction of the canal, Lala broke his promise and instead spoke ill of Bahlima. To settle the dispute the two fought a vicious battle upon which Bahlima came out victorious. Seeing Lala’s remorse he forgave him. 

Ramkali Ki Vaar 

Ramkali Ki Vaar M3 includes the Dhuni of Jodhai Virai Purabani Ki Dhuni. The tune narrates the tale of two bandits who lived during the reign of Emperor Akbar. The two would plunder the rich and distribute the plunder to the needy. Upon hearing of this Akbar was pleased and wished to enlist them into his service which the two robbers rebutted. Insulted, Akbar sent his soldiers to the Lakhi Forest to punish them. In the ensuing battle, the two brothers were killed with only front on wounds - a sign of not backing down. 

Sarang Ki Vaar 

Sarang Ki Vaar contains the story of Mahma and Hasna in Rai Mahme Hasane Ki Dhuni. Rai Mahma and Hasna were Bhatt Rajput from Kangra and Dhaul from the reign of Akbar. Due to Hasna’s dishonest habits, he was dismissed by the Emperor and sought the employment of Mahma. As bad habits are hard to reform, Hasna decided to transfer the government taxes to his account. As a result, Mahma was arrested but released upon investigation. Mahma then leads an army against Hasna and captures him while recovering the wealth. Mahma ends up forgiving Hasna again. 

Vaar Malaar Ki

The tune Rane Kailas Tatha Mal De Ki Dhuni contains the tale of Kailash Deo and Mal Deo, Rajas of their own principalities in Kashmir. Jahangir, fearful of their loyal army and bravery, sent a spy to disturb the relationship between the two brothers. Due to the spy, the two brothers engaged in war with each other after which Kailash Deo was captured. Learning of the plot, the two brothers agreed to love each other as before and the captured lands were returned to Kailash. 

Kanre Ki Vaar 

Muse Ki Vaar Ki Dhuni tells the story of Musa (Moses) a respectable warrior who was engaged with a girl from the village. Jealous rivals envious of Musa spread rumors and convinced the girl’s father to marry her to someone else. As a result, she was married to Rana, a rich landlord. Hearing of the betrayal in honesty, Musa attacked Rana, capturing the girl. When he asked whether she would be happy to marry him and stay, she responded that she was already Rana’s wife. Hearing this, Musa was pleased with her loyalty and piety and released her with a large dowry back to her husband. This Dhuni tells the value of loyalty and righteousness over personal grievances and anger.

Sources

Mahan Kosh - Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha

Gurbilas Patshahi 6 - Unknown author

The Nine Odes in Gurbani - Surjan Singh