"Chirja" (

Devanagari Devanagari ( ; in script: , , ) is an Indic script used in the Indian subcontinent. It is a left-to-right abugida (a type of segmental Writing systems#Segmental systems: alphabets, writing system), based on the ancient ''Brāhmī script, Brā ...

: चिरजा) is a

devotional song A devotional song is a hymn that accompanies religious observances and rituals. Traditionally devotional music has been a part of Hindu music, Jewish music, Buddhist music, Islamic music and Christian music. Each major religion has its own tra ...

Rajasthani Rajasthani may refer to: * something of, from, or related to Rajasthan, a state of India * Rajasthani languages, a group of Indic languages spoken there * Rajasthani people, the native inhabitants of the state * Rajasthani architecture, Indian ar ...

and Gujarati literature as a

prayer File:Prayers-collage.png, 300px, alt=Collage of various religionists praying – Clickable Image, Collage of various religionists praying ''(Clickable image – use cursor to identify.)'' rect 0 0 1000 1000 Shinto festivalgoer praying in front ...

to the female form of divine,

Shakti Shakti (Devanagari: शक्ति, IAST: Śakti; 'energy, ability, strength, effort, power, might, capability') in Hinduism, is the "Universal Power" that underlies and sustains all existence. Conceived as feminine in essence, Shakti refer ...

. Chirja is a new poetic form in Shakti-Kavya (Shaktik poetry) in Rajasthani literature. Chirjas are primarily sung by women especially during

Jagran Jagarana (), also rendered Jagran, Jagarata (), and Jaga is a Hindu ritual, practised across the India. It comprises the performance of all-night vigils, as well as puja, songs, and dances for the veneration of a deity. A jagarana is generally ...

s (night awakenings) during the worship of goddess. The word Chirja is derived from the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...

term ''Charya''.

Etymology

The word Chirja is derived from the

term ''Charya''. The Sanskrit word 'Charya' means performance of religious rites and practices, worthy of wandering ascetics, such as meditation, penance, etc. The Prakrit lexicons cover 'conduct' and 'religiou rituals' under the meaning of the word 'Chariya'. In Rajasthani lexicons, 'Charya' stands for prayer to the goddess sung in musical modes.In the Mahayana Buddhism, 'Charya' indicates the whole range of practices observed to help achieve the ultimate goal, Nirvana. In the 'Vajrayana' branch, however, 'Charya' denotes 'Tantrika' performances when some "padas' were sung which came to be known as 'Charya pada' or 'Charyagiti'.

Types

Chirjas are of two types: Sagau Chirja and Chadau Chirja. Sagau Chirja are devotional and praise the goddess in eulogical terms while Chadau Chirja are sung in the time of need, to rescue the devotees from ailments and difficulties through divine assistance from the goddess. A large number of Chirjas have been composed mainly by the

Charans Charan (IAST: Cāraṇ; Sanskrit: चारण; Gujarati: ચારણ; Sindhi: چارڻ; IPA: cɑːrəɳə) is a caste in South Asia natively residing in the Rajasthan and Gujarat states of India, as well as the Sindh and Balochistan prov ...

Rajputs Rājpūt (, from Sanskrit ''rājaputra'' meaning "son of a king"), also called Thākur (), is a large multi-component cluster of castes, kin bodies, and local groups, sharing social status and ideology of genealogical descent originating fro ...

, and Rawals. Rawals of Rajasthan are well known for utilising Chirjas in their religious performances. Chirjas are popularly sung for Hindu goddesses like Avad Mata(Swangiya Mata) and

Karni Mata Karni Mata (Hindi language, Hindi: करणी माता, or Bhagwati Karniji Maharaj), known by various names such as Bhagwati, Mehaai, Jagdamba, and Kiniyani is a Devi, Hindu Goddess of power and victory described as a warrior sage, who ...

References

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Etymology

Types

References

Further reading