From The Heart Of Rohi

A blog post I loved. Loved!

Tangled Up In Blue: ...Of The Bahawalpur Blues: I spent the last three years in a jungle. After a bit of R&R, I'm off to my next assignment tomorrow, Bahawalpur . I've been t...

Guest Post From The Blog 'Tangled Up In Blue': "...Of The Voice Of The Rohi"

I've no words to describe the beauty of the following post. 

If anything, it's a treasure trove for anyone in love!

It is of the voice of the Rohi! 

It has the essence of Rohi, in various different voices carrying it over the sound waves...

Don't trust my word, just click on the link, and find for yourself!

" Tangled Up In Blue: ...Of The Voice Of The Rohi ": If you stopped me on the street tomorrow and asked, "What's the proudest day of your life?" I wouldn't hesitate a second before answerin...

Pi Kar Bhi Kahan Jana!

Last night I came across a verse shared at twitter, that belonged to the following track. 

Raat se subh ho gai, ye kaif-e mastaaN khatum ho kay na dia! :)

This is the very track from where I had joined the fan club of this phenomenon they call Abida!

Abida Parveen's vocals rendering a Superb kalaam, supported by western instruments in a hybrid composition.

Main naara-e-mastana,  main shouqi- e- rindana
Main tashna kahan jaaon, pi kar bhi kahan jana


Main souz-e-mohabbat hoon, main aik qayamat hoon
Main ashk-e-nadaamat hoon, main gohar-e-yakdana


Main tahir-e-laahooti, main johar-e-malkooti
Nasoot ne kab mujh ko is haal mein pehchana


Main shamm-e- farozaan hoon, main aatish-e-larzaan hoon
Main sozish-e-hijraan hoon, main manzil-e-parwana


Kis yaad ka sehra hoon, kis chashm ka darya hoon
Khud toor ka jalwa hoon, hai shakl qalbhana


Main husn-e-mujassim hoon, main gesu-e-barham hoon
Main phool hoon shabnam hoon, main jalwa-e-janana


Main wasif-e-bismil hoon, main ronaq-e-mehfil hoon
Ik toota howa dil hoon, main shehar mein veerana

Che Goyem?

Hallaj steps away from the pulpit and climbs the stairs to the gallows. - Rumi

Aisa Ho?

Dil ishq main bey-payaan, sauda ho tou aisa ho, 

Darya ho tou aisa ho, sehraa ho tou aisa ho 

Ham sey nahin rishta bhi, Ham se nahin miltaa bhi, 

Hai paas vo betha bhi, dhoka ho tou aisa ho

Woh bhi raha begana, ham nay bhi na pehchana, 

Haan ay dil-e deewana, apna ho tou aisa ho! 

Ham ne yahi maanga tha, Uss ne yahi bakhsha hai, 

Banda ho tou aisa ho, daata ho tou aisa ho 

Iss daur main kya kya hai, rusvaai bhi lazzat bhi, 

Kaanta ho tou aisa ho, chubhta ho tou aisa ho

Ay Qais-e-janoon paisha Insha ko kabhi dekha? 

Vahshi ho tu aisa , rusvaa ho tu aisa ho!

Dil ishq main bey-payaan, sauda ho tou aisa ho, 

Darya ho tou aisa ho, sehraa ho tou aisa ho

Saaqi-Nama

Here's a joint!

Two different poets; Two singers. 

The point of commonality is the spirit of the words: Ruthless. Killing.

Aren't these the kind of words that take your heart away? 

These are. These not only take it away; these words tear it down, chop it up, smash it, squeeze it ... 

... and draw the elixir out. 

Drew the elixir out!

But kia karain kay 'nasha baqadr-e hosla-e badakhuar tha!'

Hum-Nawaee. Na Thi.

Following is a master piece by Naseer Turabi (it was a grave mistake to mention Addam as the poet earlier on, for which I apologize!) 

Sung differently, by two distinct voices, the two versions must not be compared, for each has its own flavor. Each bringing forth a newer dimension of heart ache that only the poet could envision. Or a listener might feel.

"Woh hamsafar tha, magar uss say hum-nawaee na thi" is poignant. And many a times, such a true story!

Tark e taulaqaat pe, roya na tu na mein,

Lakin yeh kya keh chain se soya na tu, na mein

Woh humsafar tha magar us say hum-nawaee na thi

keh dhoop chaaon ka alam raha, judaee na thi

Mohabbaton ka safar is tarha bhi guzra tha

Shikasta dil thay musaafir shikasta-paaee na thi

Adawatain theen, taghaful tha, ranjishain theen

Bicharhnay walay main sab kuch tha, bewafaee na thi

Bicharhtay waqt un aankhon main thi humari ghazal

Ghazal bhi woh jo kisi ko abhi sunayi na thi

Kabhi yeh haal keh donon main yakdili thi Naseer

Kabhi yeh marhala jaisay keh aashnaee na thi

Yeh Jalwa-Giri Kis Ki Hai!

Nuktacheen hai gham-e-dil usko sunaye na banay

Kya banay baat jahan baat banaye na banay

Bojh woh sar pe gira hai ke uthaye na uthay

Kaam woh aan paRa hai ke banaye na banay

Ghair phirta hai liye yoon teray khat ko ke agr

koi poochay ke ye kia hai tou chupaey na banay

Keh sakay kaun ke yeh jalwa-giri kis ki hai

Parda choara hai jo uss nay, ke uthaey na banay

Main bhulata tou hoon usko magar ay jazbaa-e-dil

Uspay ban jaaye kuch aesi ke bin aaye na banay 

Ishq par zoar nahin hai yeh woh aatish `Ghalib'

Ke lagaye na lagay aur bujhaye na banay

How Do I Draw THEE, O' Love!

Tell me, O' Darling...
How do I appeal to Thee, my Love!

Utha Hoon Aankhon Main Ik Khwaab-e Na-tamaam Liye

Semi-Final 2011 @ Mohali

For the winning side, congratulations! :)

For the Greens, you are loved. Pause.

Dedicated to the greens:  IF (click on the link to open a jewel box)

AND this ...

Hum Sehl Talab Kaun Say Farhaad Thay Laikin ....

..... Ab shehr main teray koi hum sa bhi kahan hai! 
(Faiz)




On his birth centenary, some of my most favorite Faiz pieces:

and finally .....

Hairaan Hua

I so desired to translate the following verses, but the certainty of my limitation in maintaining the artistry of the verse of the Sachal Sarmast, while making any such attempts was too strong to not be acknowledged.

So on this cold December night, leaning back in your comfy zone let your steamy cup of coffee be accompanied by the warmth of the magic that Abida ji effortlessly weaves with her ever strong poise ....

Humain bhi Jalwagah e Naaz par lay kar chalo Musa

Tumhain ghush aa gaya tou Husn e Jaanaa kaun daikhay ga

Hairaan hua, hairaan hua, hairaan hua, hairaan hua

Is Husn pe main, hairaan hua 

Dil Kis pe mera nadaan hua

Ye zulf paRi kion meray galay ye pech-ha-pech aur maar siyaah

Rukh mujhse chhupaya kion Tu nay jab Tujh pe ye dil nadaan hua

Ye Ghamza-e-Naaz ki faujkashi ae Dilbar Teri khaas ada

Kya dil pe mere jadoo hai kiya kya tan-mann sab mastaan hua 

Mansoor ho ya Sarmad ho Sanam, ya Shamsulhaq Tabrezi ho

Is Teri gali mein ae Dilbar har ek ka sar qurbaan hua

Teray jalwa-e-husn se har aashiq, furqat mein jala karta hai Sanam

Is Zuhd-o- rayakaari se mera yak baar ye dil nadaan hua

Is ishq ka Teray hai dawaa miskeen Sachal ko mere Sanam

kya khoob Teri is ulfat mein miskeen se main sultaan hua

A remixed version of the same is also available

Ja-ba-ja

A heart warming start to a lovely cold December night!


Sleep well folks!

Lyrics: Hazarat Shah Niaz
Vocalist: Abida Parveen

manum-maa nayaz-mandi ke be to nayyaazdaara
I am needful person, who needs you

gham-e-choon to naaz-nini behzaar naaz-dara
I will take for granted very dearly the sorrow of a beloved like you

tuu-e- afataab, chashman wa jamaal tust roshan
You are the sun; my eye is alight with your beauty

agar ast-o-baazgeeram be ke chashm e aaz-daaram
if I give up you , to whom I'll go


yaar ko humne ja-ba-ja dekha
kahin zahir kahin chhupa dekha
kahin mumkin hoa kahin wajib
kahin fani kahin baqa dekha
yaar ko humne ja-ba-ja dekha
kahin zahir kahin chupa dekha

kahien woh baadshaah-e-takht nasheen
kahin kaasa liye gadaa dekha
yaar ko humne ja-ba-ja dekha
kahin zahir kahin chupa dekha
kahin wo der libaas-e-mashokan
bar-sare naaz aur aada dekha
kahin zahir jahin chupa dekha
yaar ko humne ja-ba-ja dekha

kahin aashiq niyaz ki soorat
seena Girya-o-dil jala dekha
yaar ko humne ja-ba-ja dekha
kahin zahir kahin chupa dekha
yaar ko humne ja-ba-ja dekha

Post Courtesy: Lyrics and Translation by tauseefqau

Jo rung rangiya.. The Colour It Dyed

jo rang rangiya goorha rangiya
murshad wali lali hoo yaar

The colour it dyed, 

is tinted so deep

The hue of my guide, O friend 

koook dila mataan Rab suney

cha dard wandaan diyan aanhi hooo

Cackle o heart, so the Lord hears

Seek the ache, to not miss the 'hooo'

seena ta mera dardee bharyaaa
ander bharkan banhiii hoooo

Misery chokes this bosom of mine 

Blazes within a flaring 'hooo'

tailan baaj na balan mashalan
dardaan baaj na aanhi hooo

With out cinder, a fire wont light

Without plight, theres no spark of 'hooo'

atish nal yaraney laa k
khambkhat saran k nahi hoo

Romancing with the flames of a pyre, 

The accursed burn by the amber of 'hoo'!

jo rang rangiya goorha rangiya
murshad wali lali hoo yaar

The colour it dyed, 

is tinted so deep

The hue of my guide, O friend 

ookha jhera ishq-e-wala
sambhal k per nikalleeen o yaar 

Loving the Supreme is quite a task

Watch thy wings as you long o moth!

jo rang rangiya goorha rangiya
murshad wali lali hoo yaar

The colour it dyed, 

is tinted so deep

The hue of my guide, O friend 

main shahbaaz karan parvaazaan
wich aflaak karam de hooo
Like a hawk I soar 
Through the heights
of the Bounties of hooo


zabaan to mere kun baraber
horan kam kalam de hooo
Its "kun" alone that my tongue knows of 
Rest use their pen to talk of 'hooo'


aflatoon arastooo wargey
mein aggey kis kam de hooo
Kinds of Plato, kinds of Socrates
Make no match to mine hooo


hatim wargey jhak karooran
dar bahoo de mangdey hooo 
Countless are dregs like the wealthy Hatim
At the steps of (Sultan) Bahu who beg for 'hooo'


zulf siah wich ho yad-e-baiza,
oo chamkar dekhaeee o yaar
The black locks and the glowing hand
What marvels to witness o friend!


Allah
ishq mohabbat darya day wich,
ke mardana karyay hoo
Allah...
Through the ocean of ardor and  rapture
How to float like a brave heart!

jethay pawan ghazab diyan lehrannn,
katamm uthaaen gharyey hoo
Each vortex where it whirls the most
Its there that the loops break


oo jhar jhang balaen bailay,
vekh vekh na daryay hoo
Of those wild beasts and demons and barrens 
Let not just the sight daunt you 

naam faqir kadahe deraa
jab wich talab day maryey hoo
Why enshrine one self as a 'lowly humble' (faqeer)
When the desires keep stealing the breath of 'hooo'

Maulaa
bhulya shadhar mayray aayaa
kar kar naach dekhaee oo yarr.
Lord
The cast out Bullehya came to me
And capered dancing around O friend!

jo rang rangiya goorha rangiya
murshad wali lali hoo yaar

The colour it dyed, 

is tinted so deep

The hue of my guide, O friend 

Poet: Bulleh Shah
Singer: Abida Parveen
Inapt translation: mine

Ye Agar Sharaar Hota!

The following ghazal by Ghalib has been rendered such powerful vocals as that of Begyum Akhtar, Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Jagjit, Chitra, Tina Sani, etc. However, my favourite version is that by Habib Wali Muhammad. The lilt in his voice is just the right thing to have happened to this ghazal, a jaam do aatisha!

ye na thee hamaree qismat ke wisaal-e-yaar hota

agar aur jeetay rehtay yahi intezaar hota

terey waadey par jiyey ham to ye jaan jhoot jaanaa

ke khushee se mar na jaatay agar eitabaar hota

teree naazukee se jaana ke bandha tha ehed_booda 

kabhee tu na tor sakta agar usstuwaar hota

koi mere dil se poochay terey teer-e-neemkash ko

ye khalish kahaan se hoti jo jigar ke paar hota

ye kahaan ki dosti hai ke banay hain dost naaseh

koi chaarasaaz hota, koi ghamgusaar hota

rag-e-sang se tapakta wo lahu ke phir na thamta

jise gham samajh rahay ho, ye agar sharaar hota

gham agarche jaan_gulis hai, per kahaan bachain ke dil hai

gham-e-ishq gar na hota, gham-e-rozgaar hota

kahoon kis se main ke kya hai, shab-e-gham buri bala hai

mujhay kya bura tha marna agar ek baar hota 

huay mar ke ham jo ruswa, hue kyon na gharq-e-dariya 

na kabhi janaaza uthata, na kaheen mazaar hota 

usay kaun dekh sakta ke yagaana hai wo yaktaa 

jo dooee ki boo bhee hotee to kaheen do chaar hota

ye masaail-e-tasawwuf, ye tera bayaan 'Ghalib'! 

tujhay ham walee samajhate, jo na baada_khwaar hota

Abida - The Delight To Senses

I was venturing out on youtube looking for something from Abida Parveen, something that could be used as a potion, when the catalyst was amiss. 
Listening to her usually does that ... acts as a potion, a catalyst; a reflective mirror to glance into the nooks hitherto invisible. A solace. A knowing companion.

Strangely enough Abida Parveen hadn't always been there in my idols of melody. Infact there were times I hardly thought I could ever listen to her. Not my cup of tea, thank you!  

But, then things dont remain the same always, do they?

Main nara e mastana was the song from where I joined the bandwagon of this phenomenon they call Abida!

Later, learning the art of listening to her, like one masters the strokes while diving into the sea,  was something I fell into without realizing; Perhaps, because I loved one so strong and since Abida seemed to make the part of the package of the whole that I loved. The intoxication didnt permit the realization bit, it just happened, as if on its own.  There was no looking back then.

And like any other gift of love, I am so glad it happened.

There are a few tracks of her that have already been shared at this blog. Today I was looking for something new, some unheard piece of hers, and I found quite a few lovely tracks. The mood is almost the same in almost all the tracks, so is the feeling, and yet the way each track varies in intensity with the subtlety of her expression is simply amazing.

I have been enjoying a gala this morning.

Okay, this last one wasn't unheard of before, yet since it made such a tasteful part of today's menu, I wont miss this one out...

phir kuch is dil ko beqarari hai
sina zoya-e-zakhm-e-kari hai 

Ji Chahay to Sheesha Bun Ja: Be The Cup Be The Chalice

Ji Chahe To Sheesha Ban Ja, Ji Chahe Paimana Ban Ja 
Sheesha Paimana Kya Ban Na , Mai Ban Ja, Maikhana Ban Ja 


Be the goblet if you like, Or be the chalice if you want 
Whats there to be a goblet or a chalice, 
Be the wine, Or the fountain of wine


Mai Ban Kar, Maikhana Ban Kar, Masti Ka Afsana Ban Ja 
Masti Ka Afsana Ban Kar, Hasti Se Begana Ban Ja 


Of the wine, Or of the fountain of it, 
Narrate a tale of ecstasy
In living this tale of ecstasy, Be a stranger to the self


Hasti Se Begana Hona, Masti Ka Afsana Ban Na 
Is Hone Se, Is Ban Ne Sa, Accha Hai Deewana Ban Ja  


Forgetting thyself, And keeping of intoxication
Of this losing, Or this keeping, 
Finer is to lose to senses


Deewana Ban Jane Se Bhi, Deewana Hona Accha Hai 
Deewana Hone Se Accha, Khak-e-dar-e-jana Ban Ja 


Than this losing of the senses, Better is going crazy 
And better still of going crazed, 
Be quelled to dust at the beloved's step


Khak-e-dar-e-jana Kya Hai, Ahle-dil Ki Ankh Ka Surma 
Shamma Ke Dil Ki Thandak Ban Ja, Noor-e Dil-e-parwana Ban Ja 


The dirt at the beloved's door, Is but the Kohl for the lovers's eyes
Be a hail at the heart of flame, 
Or a burning torch in a moth's bossom


Seekh Zahin Ki Dil Se Jal Na, Kahe Ko Har Shamma Pe Jal Na? 
Apni Aag Me Khud Jal Jaye, Tu Aisa Parwana Ban Ja 


Seek to sizzle from Zahin's heart, Why hover around a flame?
The one that is kindled by its own torch, 
Thou be such a moth


Seekh Zahin Ki, Seekh Zahin Ki, Seekh Zahin Ke Dil Se Jal Na 
Tu Aisa Parwana Ban Ja…


See of Zahin, Hear of Zahin, Seek to sizzle from Zahin's heart 
Thou be such a lover ....

Lyrics: Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taaji
Singer: Abida Parveen
Music: Muzaffar Ali 

Inapt translation: mine