SOHNI MAHIWAL

There lived in Gujrat ( now in Pakistan ) a potter by the name of Tulla who was also a master craftsman . Pottery designed by him was in great demand in the North of India and was exported to countries as far as the Central Asia through traders who came to India on business

One such trader Izzat Beg , of Bokhara camped at Gujrat on his way back home . As luck would have it , Beg happened to visit Tullas Shop . There he saw the most exquisite pieces of his creations . He instantly purchased a very expensive bowl when his gaze settled on a girl , seated in a far corner , busy painting a pot . This paragon of beauty was none other than Sohni , Tullas daughter . At that particular juncture , cupid struck both and thereon started an intense love story .

So enchanted was Beg by the refreshing liveliness of Sohni that early next morning he trudged towards the potters house . There he was greeted by Sohni and her eyes conveyed all her feelings . Beg was no longer in command of his senses , he fell into a frenzy of buying despite Sohni's repeated warnings about the pots inability to endure the arduous journey to Central Asia .

From that day on Beg began to hang around Tullas workshop . He squandered his money by purchasing all the articles from Tulla .Under this spell , he became penniless and suffered losses in business . His companions parted and returned to Bokharo . The pots he had so recklessly purchased gathered dust at the place of his temporary residence .

Meanwhile , love between Sohni and Beg blossomed and reached dizzy heights of obsession . Their love story was earning a name by itself and was talk for the gossip mongers . Tulla was aware of this passionate chemistry of the two innocent love struck souls but he dare not marry his daughter to a stranger for the scare of the society .

Under dire financial strain , Izzat Beg began to keep company with a group of sufi saints . Dressed like them , without any turban and shoes , he wandered aimlessly in the streets . This new mode of life was not objected by Sohni but was a constant source of annoyance to her father . Exasperated , he hurriedly found a suitable match for Sohni and fixed the wedding date. Sohni begged and pleaded but her father did not detered from his decision. He forcefully married Sohni to the man of his choice .

Beg was unable to bear separation from his beloved and repeatedly called out her name .

Sohni too began a new life in her husband village across the river Jhanan but completely refused to accept him . Upset , he left home for a long business ordeal . She even broke all relationships with her father but secretly continued to meet Izzat Beg under the cover of darkness . On the outskirts of the village, the two spent many cherishing moments together . .

During this time Beg found the occupation of tending other peoples cows and buffaloes .Here he was named Mahiwal , the cowherd .

Mahiwal lived in a hut on the other side of Janjan river . Every day he would swim across the river to meet Sohni .But once Mahiwal hurt himself and it was now Sohni 's turn to swim across the river for their regular clandestine meetings . Undoubtedly Sohni was a swift swimmer but the wildness of the Janjan river could not be harnessed . She had learnt the art of selecting the best pitcher , to keep her buoyant with the flow of the water and help her reach the other side of the bank . This secretive expeditions continued for a long time . But once at the height of the rainy season , Sohni's sister - in - law came to stay at their place . Soon she unearthed the entire episode of an un - fulfilled romance and how the two tormented souls met at night and that Sohni hid her pitcher in a bush on her return in the wee hours of the morning .

Her sister- in- law reported the affair to her mother. Instead of accusing her openly for bringing a bad name to the family, they decided to get rid of her. Her husband's sister replaced the sturdy pitcher with a sun dried, unbaked one. As a routine, Sohni picked up the pitcher and there itself the fragility of the vessel dawned on her. Crossing the river on an unbaked pitcher meant certain death . She had no choice . The desire to meet Mahiwal conquered the scare of death. With a sweet memory of Mahiwal , Sohni plunged into the river . As she crossed the river , the pot began to dissolve . Even before she could reach the other side of the river she was drowned . Seeing Sohni drowning , Mahiwal jumped into the river to save her . His effort proved futile as they were found next day , floating at the surface -- lifeless .