Ghughuti

In the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, the reference to Ghughuti (spotted dove or Streptopelia orientalis) appears prominently across many folk songs. The euphonious sound of “ghoor ghoor” is redolent of the memories of the pahad or the hills.

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One version of the story attributes the creation of the Earth and the sky from Ghughuti’s egg. The legend has it that even after repeated efforts by the gods, the creation of the Earth and the sky could not be accomplished. There were two sibling ghughuti birds. The female ghughuti became pregnant from the male’s shadow. The female ghughuti needed a tree to lay the eggs; however, she could not find any place.

 

It was the age of the Satyuga (literally “the age of the truth”), hence the female Ghughuti invoked the sat (truth). The branches emerged from shunya (void) and the female broke two branches in order to create a nest. The first egg was given as a gift to the first man. The second egg fell down and split into two parts. The upper part formed the sky and the lower part formed the Earth.

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The Gughuti bird is also linked to a woman’s love for her मैत or mait (maternal place). Many songs have mentioned the connection between Ghughuti and the month of Chait (March-April), which marks the tradition of “Bhitaula”. In this tradition in Uttarakhand, brothers visit their married sisters’ homes to give them clothes, money, and food items.

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A list of songs from Uttarakhand on Ghughuti:

1. “Ghughuti” by Kishan Mahipal

2. “Ghughuti Ghuron Lagi” by Narendra Singh Negi and Meena Rana

3. “Ghughuti Na Basa” by Gopal Babu Goswami

4. “Ghughuti Ghoor Ghoor” by Ramesh Babu Joshi

5. “Ghughuti Basuti” by Pandavaas

6. “Na Base Ghughuti” by Fauji Lalit Mohan Joshi

7. “Ritu Baudi Aaee Didi” by Kishan Singh Panwar

8. "Maet Ka Des Na Baas Ghughuti” by Sangeeta Dhoundiyal

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Glossary:

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भिटौला or Bhitaula: Refers to the gift offered by brothers to their sisters living far off from their maternal place in the month of chait (April-May). The brother, as per the tradition, visits the sister with the gifts. She prepares special delicacies on that day.

चैत or Chait: Refers to the month of April-May, which is eagerly awaited by the sister as bhitaula ("gift") is offered to her by her brother.

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