mati, Stallion of India
maer Sira
Gina McKnight
rma ~ Artwork by Zorka Velickovic
Nihangs (a sect of Sikh
warriors who travel on horses
in the group of hundreds) are
known for their valor and
love for horses all over India.
As they are scattered all over
Punjab and other parts of India, their headquarters is in
Malwa Belt of Punjab. I was
appointed as a Professor at
the same place where the
headquarters of Nihangs is,
the place is basically a small
town called Talwandi Sabo. It was there where I saw Karamati for the first
time. I still remember that it was dusk. Karamati, tied to a big Bayan tree
and his head held high. His mane falling on his forehead, he was looking at
me as if he was trying to recognize me, know me, and was calling me.
Yes, he fascinated me, the biggest horse of the Dal (Nihang group). I
asked the guy accompanying me who was a Nihang who was that horse.
And over the big bowl of tea (Tidd Fookni, belly burning…that’s what they
call it) he told me the story of Karamati.
Karamati was the son of Neela Farangi (Blue British). That Neela
Farangi, Karamati’s sire, was (Gaddi Wala Ghora) the one on whose back
the Guru use to ride while the Nihangs use to celebrate their festivals. The
stallion Neela Farangi used to lead the procession of thousands of Nihangs
on horseback. In actual nobody used to ride the Neela Farangi as it is
thought that Guru Ji (Lord) is ridding the horse). So Neela Farangi was a
sacred horse of Nihang Dal. And after him now his son, Karamati, got the
crown to be called Gaddi wla Ghora (One which leads the procession). Yes, he deserved this position. He walked like that; looked like that.
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