Ukhanas in the time of Will and Kate...(edited with new contributions)

Almost 2 years ago, I wrote a blog post "Ukhanas in the time of IT : Taking the name". Subsequently, a few blog friends, and some who subsequently became blog friends, asked me to make some Ukhanas for them.

For those still wondering what I am talking about, and want to know the gist of it, Ukhanas are rhyming couplets, where the bride pronounces her husband's name as part of the poetry, and vice versa. Most Ukhanas are recited while offering the partner a piece of some sweet which is part of the wedding lunch , which is an elaborate affair, not in courses, but with everything being served together.

Some Ukhanas came to mind/formulated themselves, on the occasion of the British Royal Wedding.



Imagining William and Kate saying these, complete with downcast eyes, shy looks, and sideways glances, mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law looking on, watched by hundreds and thousands of stiff upper lip folks, is a cause for much entertainment.

In these days where people may often be called names, period, it may be slightly comical to recite each others names like this; this was all significant in the days when husbands were never called by name by the wives, but were generally referred to, as in the local vernacular translation of "Thou", and later on, as "so-and-so's father"...

Normally, only wives recited Ukhanas. In keeping with the times, today grooms recite them too.

Some Ukhanas below with English translations . The Marathi UkhaNas rhyme, the English translation will give you the gist, but unfortunately, not the flavor.....

Some Ukhanas for William to recite (weaving in Kate's name):

ट्रफालगर्च्या चौकात कबुतरं असतात फार ,
'केट'च नाव घेउन, अडमिरल नेल्सन ला नमस्कार .....
(Pigeons congregate in Trafalgar Square, and I say Kate's name , paying respects to Admiral Nelson(standing there)....)

रथातून फिरते राणी , डोक्यावर तिच्या हा मुगुट ,
'केट ' ला मी घास देतो, तूप भात आणि मेतकुट ....
(The Queen moves around in a carriage, and she wears a crown; and i give Kate a spoonful of ghee rice, and metkut (comfort food)...)


भाऊ माझा हरी , आणि मेव्हणी माझी पिपा ,
"केट" चं नाव घेउन देतो तिला हिर्याच्या क्लिपा .....
(My brother is Harry, my sister-in-law is Pippa; I present Kate with these diamond hair clips....)

लंडन च्या रस्त्यावर अक्षतांची दिसते रांगोळी ,
"अग केट, हि घे तुला घासाची पुरणपोळी ...."
( Confetti is strewn in a design on the rods of London; I give Kate a piece of PuranPoli, an Indian delicacy)

Then some verses for Kate to say (weaving in Williams name) :

वेस्टमिनिस्टर कार्यालयात आज शुभमंगल सावधान ,
विल्यम चं नाव घेउन ठेवते हो सासुबाइन्चा मान .....
(the final marriage customs at Westminster today, and I pay my respects to my mother-in-law as I say Williams name here....)

माहेर माझा बकलसबरी , आता सासर माझा लंडन ,
विल्यम चं नाव घेउन, राणीसाहेबांना करते वंदन ..
(My maternal home is Bucklesbury, marital home is London, I pay respects to the Queen, as I say Williams name here....)

हा लंडन चा बॉबी , आणि हा मुंबईचा पांडू ,
विल्यम, सोमरस हळू हळू प्या, खाली नका सांडू ...
(London has its Bobbies, and Mumbai has the Pandus, but William, you need to drink a bit slowly, without spilling stuff, okay ?")

Just a little something on the occasion of their Big Day ......



Edited to add contributions from PoetMamma !

For Kate:
राणीच्या महालात थाटात रुखवत आपण मांडू
जगाचं सोड, पण विल्यम, आपण तरी नकोया भांडू

For William:
लंडन म्हणती जगाला- या, लग्नाची सर्कस बघा
पिप्पा चा बरा असला तरी, मला आवडतो केट चाच झगा