Sucha Singh Soorma: Difference between revisions

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(New page: Sucha Singh is a folk legend (one of the famous Punjabi Kisse) in Punjab. He is widely admired in Punjabi culture for upholding the honour of his family by killing his sister-in-law Balbir...)
 
m (i have no idea how to do the plural of yaar)
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Sucha Singh is a folk legend (one of the famous Punjabi Kisse) in Punjab. He is widely admired in Punjabi culture for upholding the honour of his family by killing his sister-in-law Balbiro and her extra-marital lover Ghukkar, who at one time was his own best friend.
The story of Sucha Singh is now one of the famous Punjabi Kisse (a folk legend).
Morality and family honor are very important to the people of India.  


==Balbiro and Ghukkar's Killings==
==Balbiro and Ghukkar's Killings==
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===Balbiro's Wedding to Naraina===
===Balbiro's Wedding to Naraina===


Balbir Kaur aka Balbiro aka Biro was married to a man Juaarh Singh in a village at the border of Patiala-Sangrur. She was a lustful and greedy wife, and when her husband failed to fulfill her expectations, she, according to various theories, poisoned him. Having done that very innocently, she and her parents invite other marriage proposals (as you might understand, she would not be expected to be married to a a very able person because of her widowhood, given the traditions in Punjab ). Having heard about this invitation, Sucha Singh Jawanda and Ghukkar Mall Chahal, residents of village Samaon near Sangrur, go to see her and speak to her for Sucha's elder brother Narain Singh.
Balbir Kaur (also Balbiro or just  Biro) was the wife of Juaarh Singh, in a village on the border of Patiala and Sangrur. The story goes that her husband failed to tend to her lustful and worldly desires. The  theory is that she poisoned him in such a manner that his death seemed natural. As Sikh women are allowed to re-marry she and her parents invited other marriage proposals. But, as you might understand, she would not be expected to attract a very able or desirable person because of her widowhood, given the traditions in Punjab. Having heard about this invitation, Sucha Singh Jawanda and Ghukkar Mall Chahal, residents of Samaon a village near Sangrur, when to see her and speak to her on behalf of Sucha's elder brother Narain Singh.


She accepts the offer for getting married to Naraina on a few conditions. She asks them to load her with jewellary on the wedding, give her freedom in terms of running the house, doing other chores, eating, drinking etc. By the way, she relished drinking liquor and eating meat and chicken. (these as you might again understand were things quite far-fetched to women folk in Punjab). Intending to get Naraina married ( he was an addict to opium, as Biro would claim it later ), they agree upon all her conditions. Of course she was beautiful too.
She accepted the offer of marriage to Naraina on a few conditions. She asked them to load her with jewellary on the wedding, to give her freedom in terms of running their home, doing other chores, eating, drinking etc. By the way, she was also fond of liquor and ate meat and chicken. (theseyou might again understand, were not things quite unusual for women folk in Punjab). Set upon  geting Narain married (he was addicted to opium, as Biro would later claim), they agree upon all her conditions. Did I forget to mention that she was beautiful as well.  


===Growing Relationship With Ghukkar===
===Growing Relationship With Ghukkar===
 
After their marriage, she was provided with whatever she desired within the families social and financial limits. As Sucha and Ghukkar were very close friends they would often meet at Sucha's place. As Ghukkar began to frequent his visits, he decided to propose to Balbiro. She was hesitant because of her brother-in-law Sucha but at the same time was attracted to Ghukkar, who was a landlord, a wrestler and an influential person in the village.
After marriage, she was provided with whatever she desired within the families social and financial limits. As Sucha and Ghukkar were very close friends they would often meet up at Sucha's place. As Ghukkar began to frequent his visits, he decided to propose to Balbiro. She was hesitant because of her brother-in-law Sucha but at the same time was attracted to Ghukkar, who was a landlord, a wrestler and an influential person in the village.


===Ghukkar's Wily Scheme===
===Ghukkar's Wily Scheme===


As per the scheme, Ghukkar sympathised with Sucha on his financial plight and suggested that they should join the army in Multan. As they go to get recruited, Ghukkar on the pretext of feeling homesick comes back to the village and openly indulged in sex and drunken revelries with Biro.
As per the scheme, Ghukkar sympathised with Sucha on his financial plight and suggested that they should join the army in Multan. As they went to enlist, Ghukkar pretending to be homesick returned to his village, leaving his friend to join the army. Returning to his village, he and Biri (now his best friends wife), non to discreetly, had sex and drunken revelries with Biro.


===Sucha Singh's Return===
===Sucha Singh's Return===
Aware of the rumors now spreading around the village Biro’s husband, a submissive person, wrote to Sucha explaining the situation to him. Sucha came back with the intention of resolving things, he conveyed messages to Ghukkar, and asked some of the wiser  folk of the village to do the same, but Ghukkar ignored all their advice. In the meantime, Biro tried to pacify Sucha from taking any extreme step.


Biro’s husband, a submissive person, wrote to Sucha explaining the situation to him. Sucha comes back with the intention of resolving things, conveyed messages to Ghukkar, called upon wiser folk of the village, but Ghukkar did not pay heed or oblige to any instructions. In the meantime, Biro tried to pacify Sucha from taking any extreme step.
----------
 
Juaan deor de khauf se, paein naar nu haul, Rafal dunaali vekhke, Biro kare makhaul. [
Juaan deor de khauf se, paein naar nu haul, Rafal dunaali vekhke, Biro kare makhaul.
needs translation]
-------


Sucha usually responded by beating her up for bringing this to his house. Biro tried everything, from changing her stance and saying that Ghukkar forced her into doing this --
Sucha usually responded by beating her up for bringing such trouble to his house. Biro tried everything, from changing her story -- saying that Ghukkar had forced her into doing this --


Biro ro-ro deor nu kahaani dassgi, jaal vich gheri vi bateri fassgi. Baahle dukh katte nikkal bhambaur se, mallo-malli aanwda ghukkar zor se.
Biro ro-ro deor nu kahaani dassgi, jaal vich gheri vi bateri fassgi. Baahle dukh katte nikkal bhambaur se, mallo-malli aanwda ghukkar zor se.


-- to meeting up with Ghukkar to identify a solution, tried to convince her friends to explain it to Sucha that she and Ghukkar were lovers, just like the famous Heer Ranjha etc, and even threatened Sucha with dire consequences because majority of the village was on Ghukkar’s side.
She and Ghukkar hatched upon a plan, they tried to convince their friends to explain it to Sucha that she and Ghukkar were star crossed lovers, like the famous Heer Ranjha, or Leili and Majnoon. They even threatened Sucha with dire consequences as the majority of the village had sided with Ghukkar’s the landlord.


===The Showdown===
===The Showdown===
Ghukkar organized a singing programme (Akhara) and on this pretext called upon his various allies from other villages as well.
Nerre-terre baasak nagar Chahalaan de, daru maas veswa patte ve vailaan de, Chobar bulaale saare deke vaadhi ai, ghukkar pind waale ne sadaale dhadi ai. [again translation needed]


Ghukkar organized a singing programme (Akhara) and on this pretext calls upon his various allies from other villages as well. Nerre-terre baasak nagar Chahalaan de, daru maas veswa patte ve vailaan de, Chobar bulaale saare deke vaadhi ai, ghukkar pind waale ne sadaale dhadi ai.
Basically, the stage was now set for a face to face confrontation between these one time best friends. The moment came when Biro was passing by and was commented upon by Ghukkar as being his property/possession/mistress. And he asked Biro to comeover, sit down and enjoy  the company of his friends. Biro obliged. Meanwhile Ghukkar and his friends got drunk and  made audible threats on Sucha's life. Hearing of this, Sucha  loaded his rifle and showed up and challenged Ghukkar and his yaars (buddies) to face him in this battle of egos. Ghukkar’s allies seeing the weapon and Sucha’s high spirits, sheepishly turned tail and ran away.  


Basically, the stage was now set for a face to face confrontation between these one time best friends. The moment came when Biro was passing by and was commented upon by Ghukkar as being his property/possession/mistress. And he asked Biro to come to him and enjoy with him in the company of his friends. Biro obliged. Ghukkar and his friends got drunk and threatened Sucha who prepared himself his rifle and single-handed challenged Ghukkar and his allies to face him in this battle of egos. Ghukkar’s allies seeing the weapon and Sucha’s high spirits, sheepishly just ran away. Sihtt jaan chhaviyaan gandaase chhodge, pal vich saare hi yaaraane todge. Belt gale ch kaartoos sann ge, vekh ke rafal nu hawayiyaan bann ge.
Sihtt jaan chhaviyaan gandaase chhodge, pal vich saare hi yaaraane todge. Belt gale ch kaartoos sann ge, vekh ke rafal nu hawayiyaan bann ge. [translation]


Sucha seeing Ghukkar’s friends running for their life, confronts Ghukkar who pleads for his life. Sucha would not listen, and fired right into Ghukkar from point blank (as they say) after which he killed one of Ghukkar’s friends who was brave enough to come back and try to avenge his friends death. Modhe naal laawe chakk ke machine nu, dabbke stud bhare magazine nu, Mall vanni chhadde jor-jor shistaan, der na lagawe taahr deve kishtaan.
Sucha seeing Ghukkar’s friends running for their life now faced down Ghukkar, who pleaded for his life. Ignoring his pleas Sucha, fired his rifle at point blank range into Ghukkar's face. Seeing this one of his companions, who had run, bravely returned only to be killed, as well.


Filled with rage and vengeance, Sucha then kills his sister-in-law who had in the meantime run home. Goliyaan de naal bhann sitte pathhe ji, Biro te ghadola digg paein kathhe ji. Pai geya bhadaaka kaun jhalle sajjno, sarad-sarad goli challe sajjno.
Modhe naal laawe chakk ke machine nu, dabbke stud bhare magazine nu, Mall vanni chhadde jor-jor shistaan, der na lagawe taahr deve kishtaan. [      ]


Sucha committing those murders, ran from his village and went west towards Muktsar. Police came really close looking for him, and had some local courageous men rewarded for looking for him. One pathan caught up with Sucha and challenged him. Sucha was the first one to shoot though and kills the pathan too. Jor leya rafal nu andar khes de, hune naam likh deyaan marabbe es de.
Filled with rage and vengeance, Sucha then tracked down and killed his sister-in-law who had, in the meantime, run home.
 
Goliyaan de naal bhann sitte pathhe ji, Biro te ghadola digg paein kathhe ji. Pai geya bhadaaka kaun jhalle sajjno, sarad-sarad goli challe sajjno.
 
Now a mass murderer Sucha headed towards Muktsar. The Police came really close once while looking for him, then they posted a reward for his capture. One pathan caught up with Sucha and challenged him. Again Sucha, the first to shoot, killed the pathan too.  
 
Jor leya rafal nu andar khes de, hune naam likh deyaan marabbe es de.




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===Murder of Muslim Oppressors===
===Murder of Muslim Oppressors===
It was a year later when Sucha surfaced again. This time, on his way back to his village to see his brother, he came across an old Hindu woman in tears, sitting outside her house in her village of Bargaadi near Kotkapura. Inquiring, he came to know that some savage Muslims in the village had been ill-treating the Hindus. They had even killed and butchered their cattle. As if that wasn't enough for the cow worshiping Hindus to watch, they then cooked the meat (usually, as is their custom, leaving it half raw) and had a feast which they forced the Hindus to join. Now for those of you who do not know, this for a Hindu and one who has been a lifelong vegetarian is a deed which puts a serious deed in their 'karma', effectively they are then no longer a Hindu.


An year passed after the incident in Samaon that Sucha resurfaced again. This time, on his way back to his village to see his brother, he came across an old Hindu woman crying sitting outside her house in a village Bargaadi near Kotkapura. Upon inquiring, he came to know that some savage Muslims in the village were ill-treating the Hindus .. so much so that they forcible took their cattle away and killed it and feasted eating the meat, while forcing the Hindus to eat it too. Sucha went to the scoundrels and tried to stop them as they were about to kill another cow. This interference infuriated the Muslims who went ahead with the killing anyway. Sucha shot five of them down while a few others managed to run away.
Sucha was outraged, his Khalsa blood boiled, if Guru Teg Bahadur could die to stop such torture of Hindus, well with three murders already under his belt, the prospects for these nefarious Muslims didn't look good. Finding the scoundrels just as they were about to kill another cow he unleashed a verbal barrage upon them. His interference infuriated them but they started to kill the cow anyway. In a flash Sucha dropped five of them, while a few others managed to run away.


===Sahib Kaur's Murder===
===Sahib Kaur's Murder===
 
Later, Sucha joined a group of dacoits and running havoc in the area. Soon enough, another situation very familiar arose and required his discretion. A widow and a mother of two sons, Sahib Kaur (the elder of the sons, Basant Singh was in his early teens) in village Gehri in Bathinda, started hanging out with another influential man from the same village. Her kids tried to stop her but she would not listen. On the contrary, she got her elder son beaten up by her lover Gajjan Vaili. Basant made contact with his paternal uncle, Ran Singh, who was coincidentally in the army too (just like Sucha). This infuriated Ran but he although had heard the story of Sucha, did not feel he was brave enough to carry out justice there. But he knew that Sucha was around in the area making loots and all. He managed to convey the message to Sucha about the problem his sister-in-law (Sahib Kaur) had put his family in. Sucha responded quickly and killed both Sahib Kaur and Gajjan Vaili.
Later, Sucha joined a group of dacoits and ran havoc in the area. Soon enough, another situation very familiar arose and required his discretion. A widow and a mother of two sons, Sahib Kaur (the elder of the sons, Basant Singh was in his early teens) in village Gehri in Bathinda, started hanging out with another influential man from the same village. Her kids tried to stop her but she would not listen. On the contrary, she got her elder son beaten up by her lover Gajjan Vaili. Basant made contact with his paternal uncle, Ran Singh, who was coincidentally in the army too (just like Sucha). This infuriated Ran but he although had heard the story of Sucha, did not feel he was brave enough to carry out justice there. But he knew that Sucha was around in the area making loots and all. He managed to convey the message to Sucha about the problem his sister-in-law (Sahib Kaur) had put his family in. Sucha responded quickly and killed both Sahib Kaur and Gajjan Vaili.


==Capture of Sucha Singh==
==Capture of Sucha Singh==

Revision as of 12:23, 11 August 2008

The story of Sucha Singh is now one of the famous Punjabi Kisse (a folk legend). Morality and family honor are very important to the people of India.

Balbiro and Ghukkar's Killings

Balbiro's Wedding to Naraina

Balbir Kaur (also Balbiro or just Biro) was the wife of Juaarh Singh, in a village on the border of Patiala and Sangrur. The story goes that her husband failed to tend to her lustful and worldly desires. The theory is that she poisoned him in such a manner that his death seemed natural. As Sikh women are allowed to re-marry she and her parents invited other marriage proposals. But, as you might understand, she would not be expected to attract a very able or desirable person because of her widowhood, given the traditions in Punjab. Having heard about this invitation, Sucha Singh Jawanda and Ghukkar Mall Chahal, residents of Samaon a village near Sangrur, when to see her and speak to her on behalf of Sucha's elder brother Narain Singh.

She accepted the offer of marriage to Naraina on a few conditions. She asked them to load her with jewellary on the wedding, to give her freedom in terms of running their home, doing other chores, eating, drinking etc. By the way, she was also fond of liquor and ate meat and chicken. (these, you might again understand, were not things quite unusual for women folk in Punjab). Set upon geting Narain married (he was addicted to opium, as Biro would later claim), they agree upon all her conditions. Did I forget to mention that she was beautiful as well.

Growing Relationship With Ghukkar

After their marriage, she was provided with whatever she desired within the families social and financial limits. As Sucha and Ghukkar were very close friends they would often meet at Sucha's place. As Ghukkar began to frequent his visits, he decided to propose to Balbiro. She was hesitant because of her brother-in-law Sucha but at the same time was attracted to Ghukkar, who was a landlord, a wrestler and an influential person in the village.

Ghukkar's Wily Scheme

As per the scheme, Ghukkar sympathised with Sucha on his financial plight and suggested that they should join the army in Multan. As they went to enlist, Ghukkar pretending to be homesick returned to his village, leaving his friend to join the army. Returning to his village, he and Biri (now his best friends wife), non to discreetly, had sex and drunken revelries with Biro.

Sucha Singh's Return

Aware of the rumors now spreading around the village Biro’s husband, a submissive person, wrote to Sucha explaining the situation to him. Sucha came back with the intention of resolving things, he conveyed messages to Ghukkar, and asked some of the wiser folk of the village to do the same, but Ghukkar ignored all their advice. In the meantime, Biro tried to pacify Sucha from taking any extreme step.


Juaan deor de khauf se, paein naar nu haul, Rafal dunaali vekhke, Biro kare makhaul. [ needs translation]


Sucha usually responded by beating her up for bringing such trouble to his house. Biro tried everything, from changing her story -- saying that Ghukkar had forced her into doing this --

Biro ro-ro deor nu kahaani dassgi, jaal vich gheri vi bateri fassgi. Baahle dukh katte nikkal bhambaur se, mallo-malli aanwda ghukkar zor se.

She and Ghukkar hatched upon a plan, they tried to convince their friends to explain it to Sucha that she and Ghukkar were star crossed lovers, like the famous Heer Ranjha, or Leili and Majnoon. They even threatened Sucha with dire consequences as the majority of the village had sided with Ghukkar’s the landlord.

The Showdown

Ghukkar organized a singing programme (Akhara) and on this pretext called upon his various allies from other villages as well.

Nerre-terre baasak nagar Chahalaan de, daru maas veswa patte ve vailaan de, Chobar bulaale saare deke vaadhi ai, ghukkar pind waale ne sadaale dhadi ai. [again translation needed]

Basically, the stage was now set for a face to face confrontation between these one time best friends. The moment came when Biro was passing by and was commented upon by Ghukkar as being his property/possession/mistress. And he asked Biro to comeover, sit down and enjoy the company of his friends. Biro obliged. Meanwhile Ghukkar and his friends got drunk and made audible threats on Sucha's life. Hearing of this, Sucha loaded his rifle and showed up and challenged Ghukkar and his yaars (buddies) to face him in this battle of egos. Ghukkar’s allies seeing the weapon and Sucha’s high spirits, sheepishly turned tail and ran away.

Sihtt jaan chhaviyaan gandaase chhodge, pal vich saare hi yaaraane todge. Belt gale ch kaartoos sann ge, vekh ke rafal nu hawayiyaan bann ge. [translation]

Sucha seeing Ghukkar’s friends running for their life now faced down Ghukkar, who pleaded for his life. Ignoring his pleas Sucha, fired his rifle at point blank range into Ghukkar's face. Seeing this one of his companions, who had run, bravely returned only to be killed, as well.

Modhe naal laawe chakk ke machine nu, dabbke stud bhare magazine nu, Mall vanni chhadde jor-jor shistaan, der na lagawe taahr deve kishtaan. [ ]

Filled with rage and vengeance, Sucha then tracked down and killed his sister-in-law who had, in the meantime, run home.

Goliyaan de naal bhann sitte pathhe ji, Biro te ghadola digg paein kathhe ji. Pai geya bhadaaka kaun jhalle sajjno, sarad-sarad goli challe sajjno.

Now a mass murderer Sucha headed towards Muktsar. The Police came really close once while looking for him, then they posted a reward for his capture. One pathan caught up with Sucha and challenged him. Again Sucha, the first to shoot, killed the pathan too.

Jor leya rafal nu andar khes de, hune naam likh deyaan marabbe es de.


Later Exploits

Murder of Muslim Oppressors

It was a year later when Sucha surfaced again. This time, on his way back to his village to see his brother, he came across an old Hindu woman in tears, sitting outside her house in her village of Bargaadi near Kotkapura. Inquiring, he came to know that some savage Muslims in the village had been ill-treating the Hindus. They had even killed and butchered their cattle. As if that wasn't enough for the cow worshiping Hindus to watch, they then cooked the meat (usually, as is their custom, leaving it half raw) and had a feast which they forced the Hindus to join. Now for those of you who do not know, this for a Hindu and one who has been a lifelong vegetarian is a deed which puts a serious deed in their 'karma', effectively they are then no longer a Hindu.

Sucha was outraged, his Khalsa blood boiled, if Guru Teg Bahadur could die to stop such torture of Hindus, well with three murders already under his belt, the prospects for these nefarious Muslims didn't look good. Finding the scoundrels just as they were about to kill another cow he unleashed a verbal barrage upon them. His interference infuriated them but they started to kill the cow anyway. In a flash Sucha dropped five of them, while a few others managed to run away.

Sahib Kaur's Murder

Later, Sucha joined a group of dacoits and running havoc in the area. Soon enough, another situation very familiar arose and required his discretion. A widow and a mother of two sons, Sahib Kaur (the elder of the sons, Basant Singh was in his early teens) in village Gehri in Bathinda, started hanging out with another influential man from the same village. Her kids tried to stop her but she would not listen. On the contrary, she got her elder son beaten up by her lover Gajjan Vaili. Basant made contact with his paternal uncle, Ran Singh, who was coincidentally in the army too (just like Sucha). This infuriated Ran but he although had heard the story of Sucha, did not feel he was brave enough to carry out justice there. But he knew that Sucha was around in the area making loots and all. He managed to convey the message to Sucha about the problem his sister-in-law (Sahib Kaur) had put his family in. Sucha responded quickly and killed both Sahib Kaur and Gajjan Vaili.

Capture of Sucha Singh

Police tracked Sucha down in Kotshamir, a village close to Gehri, after this incident. He was hanged in Gehri.

Khich lainde phatta jeya lagge na phattka, vajjeya hulaara dhaun khaagi jhatka, Suche de nikkle praan pal mein, bolke jaikaara tandi paali gal mein