Dhola-Maru: Rajasthan's Timeless Love Story of Loyalty and Resilience

• The Dhola-Maru love story, originating around the eighth century, is a significant part of Rajasthan's history, akin to Heer-Ranjha and Sohni-Mahiwal.
• Dhola (Shalvkumar of Narwar) and Maru (Maruvani of Poongal) were married as toddlers due to a political agreement during a famine, but Dhola later forgot his first wife.
• Maru's father, King Pingal, sent a Dhooli (folk singer) to Narwar, who, through Malhar Raag songs, reminded Dhola of his forgotten marriage.
• Despite facing conspiracies and enemies, Dhola journeyed to Poongal on his black camel to bring Maru back to Narwar.
• The tale, which also includes Dhola's second wife Malvani eventually accepting Maru, is a rich depiction of Rajasthani folk life, music, and enduring love, still celebrated in folk songs today.