It was just another call of duty and, I was assigned a project that spans across Thimphu, Punakha and Gasa. Before I could think of anything, the first thing that came to my mind was the most legendary tale of love, set in Punakha, Gasa and finally in Thimphu. This story survived for generations and even to this day, it continues to draw attention of film-makers, lyricists, poets, writers
and many other artistic minds. It is a kind of legend where curtain fell much before the show was over. Gasa Lamai Singye & Changyul Bum Galeem is a heart-breaking ancient romantic tale and even now, it is as touching as anything that has ever been thought of in works of fiction.
It was during one of
my travels from Punakha to Gasa, I dropped by the ancient house of Galeem at
Changyul in Punakha. It stands adjacent to the highway about a kilometre away
from Punakha Dzong towards Gasa. The 700-year-old house, though almost
dilapidated, still looks antique and traditional, making it a beautiful symbol
of love. I have also been to the residence of present Gasa Lama, where Singye
once lived as attendant to Gasa Lama. Inspired by these historical evidences, I
made it a point to visit Sisichhum house at Sisina in Thimphu. It was at
Sisichhum house where they met for the last time, before they finally got
united after having many rebirths and faced brutal separations each time they
were born.
Galeem's house at Changyul in Punakha |
It is a tale
about two ordinary people, but their extraordinary love and commitment for each
other made their tale an eternal legend. Such feelings of extraordinary love
and commitments has become a thing of past in this day and age of pure
materialistic world. Galeem, a beautiful girl from Changyul in
Punakha and Singye an official who served in Punakha were in love. They were
both eager to tie the knot and move forward in their life like any one of us.
However, the story took a turn
when Deb (Chieftain) of the locality saw the beautiful Galeem, who
possessed a kind of beauty that everybody would want to have but nobody can
have. The Deb who was not even
aware of Galeem’s relation with Singye shared his interest in her to his senior
attendants and sought their views. One of the senior most attendants who knew
about Galeem and Singye was not honest with his lord but opted to please him.
He strategized that Singye be separated from Galeem and in his absence Galeem
can be wedded to Deb. Soon Singye was ordered to serve Gasa Lama
(Lama in Gasa) and commanded that he move to Gasa immediately. The separation
was painful but command was command, too heavy to bear yet too precious to give
away. Therefore, Singye proceeded to serve lama in Gasa knowing very little
what was in store for them. Singye was then known as Gasa Lamai Singye meaning
‘Gasa Lama’s Singye’.
After
more than seven centuries, I stood outside this historical house of Galeem in
silence and was lost in thought about the legendary love story. To me, more
than the feeling of nostalgia, it was quite a thought that a part of the story
even matched with that of my own life, though in no way, mine can be compared
to that of the legend. Being there itself was anyway, a mesmerising moment.
Gasa Dzong (Rear view of Gasa Lama's residence) |
In their undying love, the legend continued but it only became quintessential tragic story where the fate and circumstances kept separating them. They had rebirth as banana trees but were uprooted and thrown away. When they took form of cats, one of them was killed by a dog; when born as a rooster and hen, one of them was eaten by a mongoose; when reborn to a cow and bull, the bull was sold away to a far off place and it continued for many lives.
Finally, after many lives, they were born again as humans. This time, Galeem was born as the daughter to a rich family in Sisichhum house at Sisina in Thimphu and Singye to a poor family in nearby village at Genekha. Sisichum house is located beside a road at a distance of about 24 kilometres from Thimphu towards Phuentsholing. They met again in Galeem’s house in Sisina when Singye visited the house to sell earthen pots. In each other’s presence, the memory of past lives began to reel and she fainted. Before Singye could do anything he was chased away by Galeem’s parents and their servants suspecting him to be the cause of her falling into unconsciousness. When Galeem regained her conscious, she followed him and met him at another village where he was still selling earthen pots. Thereafter, they united together both in heart and soul.
I am so happy to have set my foot to these
historical places because I have always wanted to see these places. Since my
childhood, I was always astonished by the enthralling love stories and had attraction to
them. If things go my way, I have plans to spend more time in these houses in
future and pay my tribute to the truest lovers who placed love beyond
everything.
Very good story and well researched, keep it up the same spirit.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteO My god, how did I miss your blog for so long. Ok Now I have it in my feeds, so I will never miss any of your posts.
ReplyDeleteAnd this post in particular is the kind I love- mapping the medieval love story... I envy your journey. Isn't it intriguing to hear of such tales that seem like fairytales and then there are all these real places ... I would love to follow the journey to Gasa too. Loved reading it and amazing photographs.
Let us make it together someday. I bet you will find many things to write about.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering how is that house 700 years old. If that house is 700 years then the Changyul Galem must be around 14th century where Gasa Dzong is not even built....
ReplyDeleteGood observation! Samtem. My speculation here is, that house must have been built by Galem’s ancestors long…long ago. It may not have been built during her time. Since the story took place at the time she was there, it came to be known as Galem’s house. On the other hand, Gasa Dzong was built in 17th century over the site of a meditation place established by Drubthob Terkungpa in 13th century. So, Gasa Lama existed even before the present Dzong was built. Of course, the question whether Drubthob was the one referred to as 'Gasa Lama' in the legend needs to be ascertained. I have given the picture of the present Gasa Lama's residence to indicate that Gasa Lama lived there.
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ReplyDeleteWow! Legendary love story. Loved to read through your thoughts and it was instilling something about strength a love can carry.
ReplyDeleteThank YOU!
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ReplyDeleteWow..
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