તેજમલ Tejmal (A Folk Song)

વૃદ્ધ બાપુને દીકરો નથી ને એ જાતે ઢોર ચારી શકતો નથી.

There is an aged father who has seven daughters but not a single son to manage the household. His age has grown, his limbs have weakened; he can no longer go out to graze the cattle. This thought gnaws at him from within.

દુશ્મનો ઢોર પર નજર રાખે છે; બાપુ મૂંઝાય છે કે હવે શું કરવું.

In the village, enemies keep watch on the father's cattle. If no one takes the herd out to graze, there is fear the enemies will drive it away. Both the family's honour and its property are at risk. The father is troubled about what to do now.

બાપુ તેજમલને પુરુષનો વેશ પહેરાવી ઢોર ચારવા તૈયાર કરે છે.

The father calls his youngest, brave and clever daughter Tejmal. He dresses her as a man - as if she were the son of the house. A turban on the head, a staff in hand, ready to drive the cattle. Without fear Tejmal takes up this responsibility.

બાપુ સૂચના આપે છે ને તેજમલ હિંમતભેર ભરોસો આપે છે.

The whole song flows as a dialogue between father and daughter. The father gives instructions - where to graze, how to keep watch. Tejmal answers with courage, assuring her father that she will protect the cattle and the family's honour. Her replies brim with a daughter's understanding and fearlessness.

દીકરી દીકરાથી ઊતરતી નથી - તેજમલ સ્ત્રીશક્તિનું પ્રતીક છે.

The song teaches that a daughter is in no way lesser than a son. What a son can do, a daughter too can do with courage. Tejmal is a symbol of a woman's spirit, cleverness and devotion to family. In simple, singable language the folk song thus celebrates a daughter's dignity.