Sama-Chakeva Lok Geet (Maithili Folk Songs)
Significance & Importance
Sama-Chakeva is among the most distinctive festivals of Mithila — a folk tradition rooted in a Krishna-era legend. Sama, daughter of Krishna, was unjustly cursed by her father after the spy Chugla bore false witness against her. Her brother Sambha undertook severe penance to liberate her, and Lord Krishna restored her to human form. The festival celebrates the eternal bond between sisters and brothers. For seven nights, Mithila villages echo with these unaccompanied folk songs sung by groups of sisters around clay figurines of Sama, Chakeva, Vrindavan, the slanderer Chugla (whose face is symbolically burned on the final night), and birds. On Kartik Purnima, brothers symbolically push the figurines into a pond — bidding farewell with the prayer that sisters return next year safely. The tradition is now recognised as Bihar's living intangible cultural heritage.
English Transliteration
Sama khelai chakeva khelai,
Daalim dukh-dukh hoy.
Bhayya humar lambata jeeyathu,
Kartik mein parchhin hoy.
Chugla chunari pahirao,
Vrindavan-chugla, naah.
Vrindavan ke phool todi-todi,
Sama bahini ke haath.
Ugu he Suruj Dev,
Sama bahini ke aangan;
Bhayya humar dheere-dheere chalathin,
Daada humar adhik anand.