Sohni–Mahiwal: A Timeless Love Story

Hello readers,

You must have heard a song 'Par Channa De' by coke studio, nowadays it most popularised in this instragarm world, Today i want to discuss what is means and a tragic story behind this song. 

'Par Channa De' literally: Let me cross

There is a tragic story behind this song, a love story of Sohni and Mahiwal is one of the most famous tragic romances of Punjab and Sindh. Along with tales like Heer Ranjha, Mirza Sahiba and Sassi Punnun, it reflects the rich emotional heritage of South Asia. Even today, this centuries-old legend continues to inspire music, poetry and storytelling. One of the most beautiful modern connections to this tale is the Coke Studio song “Paar Chanaa De,” which brings the mood and spirit of the story back into the modern world.

A story of Sohni-Mahiwal

Sohni was the daughter of Tula, a potter from the town of Gujrati in Punjab. She decorated the clay pots her father made, painting them with delicate floral patterns. Her beauty and artistic skill made her well known, and people admired her talent.

A wealthy trader from Bukhara, Izzat Baig, once stopped in Gujrat on his way along the trade route between Bukhara and Delhi. The moment he saw Sohni, he fell deeply in love. He kept returning to the potter’s shop every day, buying pots only to see her again.

Sohni also began to love him, and their bond grew stronger. Izzat Baig sent his companions back home, taking work in Sohni’s household. Because he looked after the family’s buffaloes, people began to call him Mahiwal. The two lovers met quietly, but their growing closeness soon became the talk of the town.

Sohni’s parents did not approve of her love for Mahiwal. Without her consent, they arranged her marriage to another potter. Sohni was taken away in a doli, but her heart remained with Mahiwal.

On the other side of the Chenab river, Mahiwal gave up everything and began living like a faqir in a small hut. Every night, Sohni would come to the riverbank, and Mahiwal would swim across to meet her. Even when he was injured, he continued to show his devotion.

When Mahiwal became too wounded to swim, Sohni decided to cross the river herself. She depended on a baked clay pitcher to help her stay afloat. Every night she hid it in the bushes and used it to reach her beloved across the Chenab.

But one day, her sister-in-law learned her secret. She replaced Sohni’s baked pitcher with an unbaked one, which would soften and dissolve in water. That night, when Sohni stepped into the river, the pitcher melted, and she was taken by the strong waves.

From across the river, Mahiwal saw her struggling. He jumped into the water to save her, but the river carried him away too. Their tragic love ended in the very river that had been the path between them.

How 'Par Channa de' connects with this?

Coke Studio’s “Paar Chanaa De” does not retell the entire story, but it captures the spirit and atmosphere of the Sohni–Mahiwal romance. The song reflects the same moments of danger, darkness and courage that belong to the legend. It brings listeners back to the riverside where Sohni faced the wild Chenab at night, holding on to her clay pot and her hope of meeting Mahiwal.

The song becomes a bridge between the ancient folklore and the modern listener. It allows the emotional world of Sohni and Mahiwal to live again — the fear, the longing, the faith in love, and the tragic destiny that awaited them. In this way, “Paar Chanaa De” works as a musical reminder of one of Punjab’s most powerful stories.

The story of Sohni–Mahiwal remains unforgettable because it celebrates love that fought against society, distance and danger. Through songs like “Paar Chanaa De,” this timeless romance continues to reach new generations. The legend travels across centuries, reminding us of the strength and sacrifice that true love can carry — even across a dark and stormy river.

Refrences: Punjabi World. “Sohni Mahiwal – a tragic romance story.” PunjabiWorld.com, 19 Apr. 2009, Web Archive, web.archive.org/web/20190323101658/http://punjabiworld.com/Creative-Punjab/Legends-of-Punjab/sohni-mahiwal.html. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

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