"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
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.