SO JAA MERI RAANI
(Take a nap, my Princess)
I’ve always found the basic use of animals, personified nature, kings and queens in lullabies/bedtime stories very intriguing.
Animals behaving/emoting like humans were used to make moral science more relatable. Stories have been written for children using animals so extensively, that as children we felt we had a special connection with them. This familiarity was established despite the fact that very few of us actually came in close proximity with animals. Another amusing, overused setting is the kings' court. As children we were expected to understand the problems of a king and his kingdom via bedtime stories. They made for lessons in wisdom. I find it all extremely fascinating because these were recurring themes. The Panchtantra stands as a mighty example.
Animals being able to lend meaning to so many behavioural/personality traits is another aspect to consider. I have noted this to be alive in lullabies sung across languages. In India, we have jokes about the Ant and the Elephant, the villainous Fox, the tactful Crow. They have all been used as consistent characters. Characters who stay foolish, cunning or bad to ensure that we learn from their mistakes and turn out right.
The repeated actions done by these animals every night, coming out of their own slumbers for their nightly lullaby shift was my idea behind drafting this musical comedy. I saw the animals as stage actors reserving us a nightly show, keeping this specific lullaby that used to be sung to me in mind:
Some stanzas (in Hindi): Which translate to (in English):
So jaa meri Raani, so jaa meri Raani Take a nap, my Princess x2
Tujhko sunaaoon ek Raja ki kahaani Let me tell you the story of a great King
Raja ke khet mein sone ka daan Whose people believed that in the royal gardens
the magical seeds sown would yield pure gold!
Uski rakhwaali ko rakha Kallu Kisaan So, Kallu the farmer was hired to keep them safe.
Ek din chidiyon ne chun liye Raja ke daan. One day when some birds broke in and looted the granary
Raja ne kaat liye Kallu ke kaan. The angry king cut off Kallu's ears as punishment!
...
Choohe beyaahan ko chale, sher ki poti Meanwhile in the forest, a mischief of mice had set out
to attend the wedding of Lion’s grand-daughter.
Kissi ki dum chhoti thi, kissi ki dum moti Guests with tails short and fat had all come pouring in.
Khoob khaayi roti toh khul gayi dhoti They greedily ate up the free bread, oblivious to how
their drawstring pants were slipping off!
Kawwa bola kaanv The crow cawed
Billi boli meow The cat mewed
Cheenti ne kheench liya haathi ka paanv. And an ant tricked and tripped the mighty elephant!
Haathi gira dham He fell with a THUD.
Kahaani hui khatam To mark the end of the story.
So jaa meri Raani, so jaa meri Raani Now take a nap, my Princess. Take a nap (already).
Some characters from the story-board:
Some characters, vectorised:
