Ichchhadhari naag
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| Grouping | Mythical creature |
|---|---|
| Sub grouping | Snake |
| Other name(s) | naag, naagin |
| Country | India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka |
| Habitat | Naaglok |
Ichchadhari naag (female: ichchadhari naagin) are mythical shape-shifting cobras in Indian folklore. They are great devotees of Lord Shiva.
Legend
Per Indian mythology, a common cobra will become an ichchadhari naag or naagin (shape-shifting cobra) after 100 years of tapasya (penance). After being blessed by Lord Shiva, they attain their own human form and have the ability to shape-shifting into any living creatures. They could live for more than a hundred years without getting old.
Ichchadhari naag and naagin possess the gem called Naagmani, considered much more valuable than any precious stone, it has the power to revive. Legends tell of many people dying through snake bites when they try to steal the Naagmani.
When a naag or naagin is killed, the image of theirs killer will be imprinted in their eyes. The partner or family of that naag/naagin will identify the killers by this image and take revenge.
Naag and naagin will lose control and are forced to show their true form when they hear the sound of been, a wind instrument used by sapera (snake charmer). They are afraid of bel patra because it can hurt them, human use bel patra to protect themselves from naag and naagin.
The realm of naag and naagin is called Naaglok. Naaglok have different clans, the ruler of a clan is called Naagraj (king) or Naagrani (queen).
Naag and naagin's enemies are mongoose, eagle and peafowl.
Children's comics
The legends of ichchadhari naag and naagin have been used as a plot basis for many comics and stories. The comic book superhero character Nagraj ("Cobra-King") is also based on these legends. There is another famous Hindi comic character, Tausi, who was a male shape-shifting snake. Apart from these, the concept has been used for many children's short stories.[citation needed]
Films and TV shows
Many Bollywood films incorporate these legends, or the character of Nagraj, such as Nagin, Sridevi in the 1986 film Nagina, Reena Roy in Nagin (1976), and also Nache Nagin Gali Gali (1989).
In 2007, a television series called Naaginn began on Zee TV, in which Sayantani Ghosh played the role of a naagin.
In 2010, a horror adventure film called Hisss appeared, starring Mallika Sherawat as a naagin.
In 2015, a television series called Naagin began on Colors TV. Starring Mouni Roy and Adaa Khan as naagin. It became one of the highest-rated shows on Indian television.
In 2016, a soap opera Nagarjuna - Ek Yoddha started starring Nikitan Dheer, Mrunal Jain and Pearl v puri as ichchadhari naag.
In 2016, the soap opera Ichhapyaari Naagin started, starring Priyal Gor as a naagin.
Another television series which has a shape-shifting serpent role is Nandini, which started airing on 23 January 2017. It is simultaneously aired in four different Indian languages: Tamil (original version), Kannada (re-shot), Telugu (dubbed) and Malayalam (dubbed).
The first Pakistani serial about ichchadhari naagin titled Naagin aired on 17 April 2017.[1]
In 2022, Ishq Ki Dastaan - Naagmani aired on Dangal TV. Starring Aditya Redij and Aleya Ghosh as naag and naagin.
See also
References
- ^ "Geo Kahani launches new series". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2 May 2017.