Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Khabar-E-Tahayyur-E-Ishq Sunn..Beyond the Call of Love

"Khabar-E-Tahayyur-E-Ishq Sunn, Na Junoon Raha Na Pari Rahi" is one of the most famous kalaam of the 18th century mystic poet Siraj Aurangabadi. It's been sung and by multiple artists

I had heard this version by Abida Parveen some time ago and liked it.


But recently I discovered a version sung by Mehnaz Begum on SoundCloud and fell in love with it.

Listen to it here 


This time what drew me to it were the beautiful words. It talks of the ultimate state of bliss that is achieved in the quest of love for the Supreme- the state where the mad desire, the longing all  begin to disappear and the boundaries between the self and the Supreme begin to blur.As the self merges with the selfless one anticipates and awaits that ultimate revelation. And finally the union… which is nothing like expected because it is much beyond it. And it frees you in a way that you never could have imagined.

In this interesting clip from the movie Umrao Jaan in context of Umrao's  interest in poetry  the Moulavi explains the meaning of this same kalaam to Umrao.



And here’s how I understood and  interpreted it..my attempt at a translation.

Khabar-E-Tahayyur-E-Ishq Sunn, Na Junoon Raha Na Pari Rahi
Na Toh Tu Raha Na Toh Mein Raha, Jo Rahi So Be-Khabari Rahi

Paying heed to the wonder of love- forgotten is the longing, gone is the beloved
Neither you, Nor I remain, Just obliviousness- joyful and divine


Shah-E-Bekhudi Ne Ataa Kia, Mujhay Ab Libas-E-Barahanagi
Na Khirad Ki Bakhiyagari Rahi, Na Junoon Ki Pardadari Rahi

Then he draped me in stark robes, the Emperor of Ecstasy
Robes without seams of rationality, shorn of veils of desire


Chali Simt-E-Ghaib Se Aik Hava, Ke Chaman Zahoor Ka Jal Gaya
Magar Aik Shakh-E-Nihal-E-Gham, Jise Dil Kahe So Hari Rahi

The wind of destiny razed the garden of my existence, but
A tender branch of sorrow, call it my heart, continued to thrive


Nazar-E-Taghaful-E-Yaar Ka, Gila Kis Zuban Se Bayan Karoon
Ke Sharab-E-Sad-Qadaah Aarzu, Khum-E-Dil Mein Thi So Bhari Rahi

No words I have, to lament the indifferent glance of my beloved
Desires, a hundred glasses brimming with wine, filled the heart


Woh Ajab Ghari Thi Mein Jis Ghari, Liya Dars Nuskha-E-Ishq Ka
Ke Kitab Aql Ki Taaq Main, Jyun Dhari Thi Tyun Hi Dhari Rahi

O glorious moment, first glimpse of the lesson of Love
The book preaching wisdom, just lay there, useless, unused


Tere Josh-E-Hairat-E-Husn Ka, Asar Iss Qadar So Yahan Hua
Ke Na Aayine Main Jila Rahi, Na Pari Kuun Jalva Gari Rahi

So awestruck it was by your bedazzling allure
The mirror then could reflect, neither beauty nor being 


Kiya Khak-E-Aatish-E-Ishq Ne Dil-E-Benava-E-Siraj Ko
Na Khatar Raha Na Hazar Raha, Magar Aik Be-Khatari Rahi

My silent heart thus, was set ablaze by love
The sense of danger, the fear, were no more...  just a brazen , heedless me


There are other versions of its singing as well .

Here sung beautifully in the qawaali  form by  Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammed 



Another nice one by Shaukat Ali





Another Pakistani singer Abbas Ali has included this in his recently released fusion Sufi album Tamam Al Mast. Catch a clip of it here . Words written in the 1700's still being set to tune in 2014!

While looking all these up I also came to know that Ustad Amanat Ali Khan of the Patiala Gharana has sung it too. Haven't been able to find that one yet but would love to- so if anyone can point me to it...

And till then I will remain besotted with the Mehnaz Begum version. 


Sunday, February 16, 2014

Raag Bytes - Bhairavi

One Thumri- Five takes


Baat chalat nayi chunari rang daali- an old Bhairavi bandish






2. Shafqat Ali Khan renders it in an inimitable style – the style that is the identity of the Sham Chaurasi Gharana



3. A wonderful instrumental take by the great violin maestro Dr. N Rajam






Adapted as songs for 2 Hindi movies-


4. First Geeta Dutt sings it in the Film Ladki (1953)





5. And Mohd Rafi and KrishnaRao Chonkar in Rani Rupmati ( 1959)



And then there is a 6th one- A modern take by a band called Kabul. Not the best of singing, but just an example of how classical music offers so much room for adaptation, versatility…. And why it remains timeless!


Know of a 7th?- Please do share!