Biha

Among the Gorkhas, where traditions reign,

Marriage takes forms, a varied terrain.

Let's wander through the paths they tread,

Where love and customs gently spread.

a) Chori Biha - Theft Marriage:

In whispers soft, beneath moon's light,

A love blooms sudden, out of sight.

He steals her heart, a daring feat,

In secrecy, their vows they greet.

No time for courtship's gentle sway,

Their love unfolds in night's array.

With whispered vows, they flee the fold,

In love's embrace, their tale is told.

b) Zari Biha - Marriage by Paying Penalty:

A woman's heart, a precious prize,

Her consent sought in lover's eyes.

To pay the price, a penalty fair,

In love's pursuit, they boldly dare.

From hand to hand, the coins exchange,

As vows are sworn, their hearts arrange.

With honor paid, a new bond forms,

In love's embrace, their spirit warms.

c) Senzi Zari Biha - Widow Marriage:

In shadows cast by sorrow's plight,

A widow finds her guiding light.

No social chains to hold her down,

In love's embrace, a new love's crown.

With solemn grace, she finds her way,

In widowhood, a brighter day.

With compensation, honor shown,

In love's embrace, she finds her own.

d) Magi Biha - Arranged Marriage:

In whispers shared under the starry skies,

Two families meet, with hopeful eyes.

With mutual consent, the knot is tied,

In love exchanged and their hearts allied.

Arranged with care, by kin's decree,

A union forged, in unity.

With blessings shared, their journey starts,

In love's embrace, they share their hearts.

In Gorkha community, love's different forms,

From stolen glances to vows sworn.

In every union, love's sweet refrain,

In a lovely union, they find their gain.

~Krishna Acharya

BIO: Krishna Acharya is an aspiring writer/poet from Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya. A post graduate in English Literature and currently employed as PGT ENGLISH at PMSHRI School, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Gomati, Tripura. He is the founder and Chief Editor of the poetic blog The Bard and the Ballard.