"केसरिया बालम आओ नि पधारो म्हारे देस नि केसरिया बालम आओ सा पधारो म्हारे देस
पधारो म्हारे देस, आओ म्हारे देस नि केसरिया बालम आओ सा पधारो म्हारे देस
मारू थारे देस में निपूजे तीन रतन एक ढोलो, दूजी मारवन, तीजो कसूमल रंग
पधारो म्हारे देस, पधारो म्हारे देस नि, केसरिया बालम, आओ नि पधारो म्हारे देस"
I bet once in your lifetime you have heard this popular Rajasthani welcome song. Literally meaning 'Welcome to my country' is "Padharo Mhare Desh" really a welcome song? Well, it is, but it is much more than that, it is an Eternal love story, a story of chivalry, valour and sacrifice. Let's explore the folk story from which it is inspired to understand more about it.
Once upon a time, there were two great kingdoms in present-day regions of Jaisalmer named Pongal and Narwan. Maru was the princess of Pongal and Dhola was the prince of Narwan. Once there was a famine in Pongal due which the king came to the Narwan along with his family where he got a royal welcome by the king of Narwan. During his stay Queen of Pongal saw Dhola, as a child, she liked him as a match for Maru. They got married at the tender age of 3 years and 1.5 years respectively. When the famine was over Maru returned with his father as she was a kid. Time passed and Maru blossomed like a flower. One day she saw a dream about her husband 'Dhola' and started missing her. She was unaware that Dhola was married again with another princess and he doesn't remember about the marriage. She sent several messengers to Dhola to make him aware about his first marriage, but Dhola's second wife killed all of them out of jealousy. Finally, she sent a group of musicians along with her message in the first line to Dhola, which with great cleverness entered the fort sang various songs describing him about his first marriage, the beauty of Maru and her love for Dhola.
They sang "Kesariya Balam Aao ni padharo mhare desh" Literally meaning "Oh! My Kesariya (denote Rajput warrior) lover comes to my country,
Oh! Great warrior welcome to my country"
Then they sang "Maru thare Desh me nipuje tin Ratan,
Ek Dhola,duja Maruwan tijo kasuman"\
Literally meaning" In our country, there are three gems, first Dhola, second Marwan and Third their Epic and colourful Love"
Then Maru realized the whole matter and decided to bring back Maru as his lover. On the way into the palace, Maru died due to snake bite. Dhola broke down after hearing this news and wandered for many days in the hot desert without food and water in the hot desert of 'Thar' with the corpse of 'Maru'. Finally, one great saint gets impressed by their eternal love and brought Maru to life again. They got united and started their journey for the palace. On their way, Usman Khan a Sultan attacked to get Maru and marry her as he heard about the heavenly beauty of the Maru. But Dhola fought with his full might against the full army of Usman and defeated them. Finally, they reached their palace and lived a happy life.
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