Archive for May, 2013
Delirium
May 5th, 2013, posted in BoYs, POEtRY.., Sufism
The mystics invited me to their gathering
On the way, a strange man met me on the road
He stood before me, eclipsing the sun in his black robes
He said, “Come to the carnival insteadâ€
I followed him like a ghost crossing into another world
Where everything is spoken through symbols and metaphor
I watched as we passed through the crowded fair
Of old and young lost in the recreation of ancient folklore
Wizards with their tarot cards, magicians in medieval costumes
Mimes trapped in their imaginary prisons
Fire breathers lighting up the sky in wonder
Appearing like dragons in the imagination of children
A sun-colored butterfly fluttered amidst the strange
I followed its flight to a stone-faced audience
Watching the puppet show of Crusaders and Saracens
Hypnotized by the centuries of cruelty and violence
My eyes sank in sorrow
Not realizing that the man I came with
Vanished into the unknown
Leaving only a compass around my neck
It pointed to a tall, thin man watching me with his gothic eyes
A crystal ball levitating in the palm of his hand
I looked inside and saw myself soaring through clouded skies
He veiled the image and invited me into the large tent behind him
“Come, step inside,†he said
Walking through, I listened to the magical bells
Echoing in peaceful jubilee
As a garden bloomed on the concert stage
With rose petals raining like dream-like fantasy
A young girl dressed as a princess
Whirling beneath the falling tulips
With a halo hovering over her head
And a precious smile painted on her lips
She reminds me of the ocean’s dance
When I was another child
Dreaming about portals in the sea
And escaping far, far away into self-exile
For a moment, it was all happiness and bliss
Like living in a floating sphere vibrant with color
Like beautiful words blown into the wind
Touching skin and heart softly like an Angel’s kiss
But how transitory that was
When the wild lights began to spiral
And I heard those crazy circus clowns
Laughing wickedly on their unicycles
Their laughter reminds me of hellfire
Roaring through those endless fields of mine
Burning every flower, slaughtering every dream
Leaving nothing left to grow, nothing left to find
They juggled their sharp and deadly blades
Grinning at the audience like cardboard cartoons
Each dagger spinning and slicing through the air
I can only hear violence and murder in their tune
As if they were putting on a sadistic show
Where I was the dummy flown to the highest cloud
Only to have my strings cut and fall below
Deep into the heart of the darkest abyss
I left the tent, not wanting to stay any longer
Yet it were gypsy strings that called me to another street
Beyond the ferris wheel where families gathered
Beyond the swan boats where Lovers drifted upon the lake
I saw the fiddle player sitting upon a stage
Next to a luminous unicorn glowing like a star in Heaven
A magician bowed her head as the marveled audience clapped
Her eyes searched through the sea of faces and met mine in unison
She smiled and said, “I need a volunteerâ€
As if it was instinct and meant to be
I rose my hand and made my way through the masses
She opened her hand, waiting for me
Like a savior offering eternal refuge and escape
Our fingers touched, our hands merged
I felt my heart tremble as a current rippled inside
She drew me silently up the steps
Like I was the seeker and she the guide
“This Way,†she whispered
While walking me to a double-sided door
Nothing behind it, nothing within
Just a frame of wood, nothing more
She wrapped a blindfold around my eyes
Mystified and blinded in darkness
She told me I could remove it soon
After I opened the door and walked inside
I took my careful steps, hoping for answers
And closed the door behind me
I finally removed the blindfold
Only to find myself in a hall of spiraling mirrors
I turned around and reached for the knob
But watched it unscrew and fall to the crimson floor
Pounding at the door, I heard nothing from the other side
The past sealed shut – no other way but forward
I walked to the center of the room
Watching infinite reflections follow myself
Gazing deep into my own eyes, I saw a storm gather
The joys, the pain, the misery, the light, the gloom
I became lost in my own self
Not wanting the heart’s agony anymore
A desire to flee from this shell swept over me
A desire I never recognized before
I thought to myself and longed for escape:
I’d rather be a statue in the water fountain
Engraved with a smile on my face
Handing out roses to the lonely souls
Who just want to live in a beautiful place
I’d rather be a voice in your mind
Telling you that it’s going to be ok
As you drive home alone late at night
Dwelling on your sorrows and contemplating suicide
I’d rather be the ever-present spirit of Love
Holding you in arms, whispering comfort in your ears
As you weep over your broken heart
And wallow in unwanted fear
I’d rather be a guardian Angel
For an innocent prisoner sitting on death row
Adoring her paintings and releasing her from the shackles
Carrying her beautiful soul into the next life
I’d rather be a drop of rain
Kissing your cheek for comfort
Or a ray of light from the sun
Reminding your heart that it will shine again
I’d rather be the gentle breeze blowing through your hair
Accompanied by the magical tune of the santour
A sheet of wind wrapping around you
Carrying your imagination to a distant seashore
I’d rather be a vision of a better world
Rushing into the arms of artists and activists
Celebrating in tears of joy as each and every dream
Is made real and manifest
I’d rather feel nothing
No anger, no hate, no pain
No one to hurt, no one to blame
Nothing to take, nothing to gain
“I†would rather not exist
And suddenly, the hallway erupted in laughter
My eyes darted down both ends of the room
Before realizing it came from my reflection in the mirror
“Why do you laugh?†I ask
“Because you are the real lunatic,†he answered
Mysteriously, he stepped out of the reflection
Standing in front of me, he said: “Yet you remain a cowardâ€
“For all you know how to do is merely speak of non-existenceâ€
Without warning, like a being possessed
I broke the mirror with my fist
And with one swift motion
I slit my clone’s throat with a blade of glass
The blood splashed on the mirrors
The entire glass hallway shattered – Kshhh!!
The pieces flew into my skin
As the ground beneath me shook like an earthquake
I fell through the floor
And found myself tumbling through outer space
Debris floating around me as I plunged deeper
I became surrounded by stars, distant planets and nebulae
Comets, meteors, galaxies whirling in darkness
I spun like a pinwheel, spiraling in every direction
My arms extending, my fingers reaching
Reaching for something in desperation
Reaching for Love, hope, beauty
For happiness, joy, euphoria
For peace, balance, tranquility
For life, home – something, anything!
My skin turning pale
My body surrendering
My blood freezing to ice
My heart beginning to fail
A voice enters my mind – Look, over here!
I turn and see Simurgh – my old Friend
Soaring through the heavens like a shooting star
Oh, Simurgh, I thought you were dead
Carried by the solar winds
She swoops above me – bloodied from our past
Before I could smile, her talons dig into my chest
And violently tears me open
My screams suffocated by the cosmic void
Only tears and blood can trickle from my eyes
When murdered by the Friend of Love
Only the soul can fill the universe with my endless cries
Amidst the pain, I heard sound emerge in space
I saw Simurgh pulling stars with her flapping wings
Energy and light – They raced in my direction!
I heard music! – Like a symphony of strings!
Luminous orbs of plasma gathering like an ocean
And swirling like a solar typhoon
I heard them whistling through the dark
As they charged towards my open wound
I heard the orchestra’s crescendo
The chant of mystics resounding
The passion drums pounding
Duum! Duum! Duum!
I understood now
As the realization came to me
“Death before deathâ€
The Way to eternity
O Giver of Love and Mercy!
You have cut me open
Pull Your storm
Into me
Flames shooting out of my eyes
And infinite rays of light beaming in every direction
As my heart swallowed Heaven’s fire
Every star filling me with divine resurrection
I have exploded into infinity
Sailing to that Love I cannot name
Expanding forever with the universe
Bidding farewell to yesterday’s “meâ€
And upon those memories of sorrow, I smile at you
I am Supernova
And you are Stargazer
Watch the multi-colored flame
Of my Being shine anew
Note : I found this online
Lyrics/Translation of Dannah Pah Danna by Akhtar Channal and Komal Rizvi
May 4th, 2013, posted in LYRiCS
A shepherd introduces his beloved to the wonders of his land, invoking famous rivers and mountains of Balochistan. Through this patriotic anthem, imbued with shades of a pastoral romance, the poet presents a message of friendship and amity.
Here is the Lyrics of Danna Pah Dannah/ Lal Merti Patt By Akhtar Channal and Komal Rizvi, with translation in Roman Urdu and English
جي با ترا
ji ba tara
live long !
اڑئے! خطي کھبڑي باوا کنا بش مبو
a?ae khatti khaba?i baawa kana bashmabo
hey ! Khatti and Khabri, my sons, wake up !
صاÙØŒ دے Ù¹Ú© تسونے
saaf de ?ik tissune
it’s light, the sun has risen high
اڑئے Ù¾ÙŠØ±Û Ù†Ù…Ø§ جنگي خان
a?ae peerah numa jangi khaan
hey! your grandfather, Jangi Khan
مولئے بے بالا سندھ ء٠سرمس
molae be baala sindh i sarmas
has already crossed the Mula River and reached Sindh
نم داسکان خاچانورئے
num daaskaan khachaanorae
and you are still sleeping !
پري
prri
(sound made to lure cattle to water)
برا
brra
(sound made to herd cattle)
Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ù¾Û Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ø¯Ø§ ننا
daanah pah daanah da nana
among the multitude of grains (in the world), mine is this grain (you)
دوستي لگانے نا ننا
dosti laggaane na nana
(now that) you and I have grown to be friends
Øاجت اÙÚ© ÚºÙ†Û’ ٹران Ø¡ÙŽ نا
haajat affak nane ?raan a na
we have no need of anything
جي جي جي جي سا کنا
ji ji ji ji sa kana
O live, live, my darling breath
Ø³Û Ú©Ù…Ø¨ مارا Ù¾ جا کنا
sehkumb maaraap ja kana
Sehkumb and Marap are my places
جي جي جي جي مندري
ji ji ji mandari
O my gentle, petite lady
بر Ûيتس کرک کنتوں اندري
bar heets karak kanton andari
come aside with me to talk in privacy
جي جي جي جي سومرو
ji ji ji ji soomaro
O, my good sir, Soomro (the prince who came between two lovers)
Ú©Ù¾Û Ø®ÙˆØ§Ø¬Û Ø®Ø¯Ø§ سے زور
kapah khwaajah khuda se zor
desist, sir, for God is powerful (in retribution)
Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ù¾Û Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ú¯Ø§
daanah pah daanah daanah ga
(among the) multitude of grains, this grain has
دل Ø¨Ø±ØªÛ Ù…Ù†ÙŠ Ø¯Ø±Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ú¯Ø§
dil burtah mani durrdaanah ga
this lovely pearl has stolen my heart
جي جي جي جي با ترا
ji ji ji ji ba ta ra
may you live long, live long !
تو Ø¨Ø±ØªÛ Ø¡Ù Ù…Ù†ÙŠ ضعيپيں دلا
tau burtah i mani zaeepain dila
you have stolen my fragile heart
جي او
ji o
live long !
جي با ترا
ji ba ta ra
may you live long
او قلو وطن٠خان ءَ نا
o qallo watann-i khaan a na
Kalat is our Khan’s country
دا تخت٠بلوچستان ءَ نا
da takht-i balochistaan a na
this is the capital of Balochistan
بر ديرے ارک ددران ءَ نا
bar deere urak dudraan a na
come and see the water of the Dudran spring
نوري ءَ نصير خان ننا
noori a naseer khaan nana
Naseer Khan Noori is our Khan
ائے ØµØ¯Ø®Û ÙˆØ·Ù† Ú©Ù† جان ننا
ae sadkha watan kin jaan nana
We devote our lives to our country
ÛÙˆ Ú©Ú†Ú¾ÙŠØŒ خراسان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
ho kachchhi khuraasaan wah wah wah
Kachhi and Khurasan – oh excellent !!
Ûربوئي، مرجان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
harboi marjaan wah wah wah
Hills Harboi and Marjan – oh excellent !!
نوري نصير خان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
noori naseer khan wah wah wah
Naseer Khan Noori – oh excellent !!
چلتن٠شاشان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
chiltano shaashaan wah wah wah
Hills Chiltan and Shashan – oh excellent !!
مولÛ٠بولان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
mulao bolaan wah wah wah
Rivers Mula and Bolan – oh excellent !!
راس Ú©ÙˆÛ٠رخشان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
raaskoho rakhshaan wah wah wah
hills Ras Koh and river Rakhshan – oh excellent !!
Ú©ÙˆÛ٠سليمان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
koh-i sulemaan wah wah wah
Mount Sulaiman – oh excellent !!
تخت سليمان ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û ÙˆØ§Û
takht sulemaan wah wah wah
Peak Sulaiman – oh excellent !!
وادي وادي گھوميں
waadi waadi ghoomen
let’s trip from valley to valley
آ پربت پربت جھوميں
aa parbat parbat jhoomen
let’s swing from mountain to mountain
تو خوشبوؤں کا جھوکا
tu khusbhooon ka jhoka
you’re a gust of heady fragrance
تيرا امرت سا ÛÛ’ Ù„ÛجÛ
tera amrat sa hai lahjah
your words are like nectar
تو دريا موج کنارÛ
tu darya mauj kinaarah
you’re the sea, the wave and the shore
تجھے ديکھے ÙŠÛ Ø¬Ú¯ سارا
tujhe dekhe ye jag saara
at you this whole world gazes
تو پھول کنول کا
tu phool kanwal ka
you are the lotus flower
تو شعر غزل کا
tu she’r ghazal ka
you are a verse of poetry
تو جادو تھل کا
tu jaadu thal ka
you are the magic of the desert
تو خواب پنل کا
tu khwaab punnal ka
you are the dream of Punnun (the Prince of Kech)
جي او
ji o
live long !
جي با ترا
ji ba ta ra
may you live long !
Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ù¾Û Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ú¯Ø§
daanah pah daanah daanaga
(among the) multitude of grains, this grain has
دل Ø¨Ø±ØªÛ Ù…Ù†ÙŠ Ø¯Ø±Ø¯Ø§Ù†Û Ú¯Ø§
dil burtah mani durrdaanah ga
this lovely pearl has stolen my heart
نوں Ø¬Ø³ØªÛ Ù†Ú©Ø§Úº Ù¾Ø±ÙˆØ§Ù†Û Ú¯Ø§
noon justah nakaan parwaanah ga
now she doesn’t pay heed to her devoted moth
جي جي جي جي با ترا
ji ji ji ji ba ta ra
live, live, live, live long
تو Ø¨Ø±ØªÛ Ø¡Ù Ù…Ù†ÙŠ ضعيپيں دلا
tau burtah i mani zaeepain dila
you have stolen my fragile heart
=جي او
ji o
live long !
==================================================
او لعل ميري
o laal meri
O Red-robed one
او لعل ميري پت رکھيو بلا جھولے لعلن
o laal meri pat rakhiyo bala jhoole laalan
pray preserve my good name forevermore, O Jhoole Laal
سندھڑي دا، سيÛون دا سخي Ø´Ûباز قلندر
sindh?i da sehwan da sakhi shahbaaaz qalandar
of Sindh, of Sehwan, Gracious Shahbaz Qalandar
دما دم مست قلندر – ØÙ‚
damaadam mast qalandar – haq
in each rapturous breath is the qalandar (wandering ascetic) – Truth !
علي دا Ù¾Ûلا نمبر – ØÙ‚
ali da pahla number – haq
Ali is first in rank – Truth !
دما دم مست قلندر – ØÙ‚
damaadam mast qalandar – haq
in each rapturous breath is the qalandar – Truth !
سخي Ø´Ûباز قلندر
sakhi shaahbaaz qalandar
Gracious Shahbaz Qalandar
او لعل ميري ÛÙˆ لعل ميري
o laal meri ho laal meri
O Red-robed one, O Red-robed one
Ûند سندھ پيرا تيري نوبت واجے
hind sindh peera teri naubat waaje
in both Hind and Sindh, trumpets and drums sound in your honour
نال وجے گھڑيال بلا جھولے لعلن
naal waje ghariyaal bala jhoole laalan
with that the brass gong strikes the hour, O Jhoole Laal
سندھڑي دا، سيÛون دا سخي Ø´Ûباز قلندر
sindh?i da sehwan da sakhi shahbaaaz qalandar
of Sindh, of Sehwan, Gracious Shahbaz Qalandar
سخي Ø´Ûباز قلندر – ØÙ‚
sakhi shahbaaz qalandar
Gracious Shahbaz Qalandar
دما دم مست قلندر – ØÙ‚
damaadam mast qalandar
in each rapturous breath is the qalandar – Truth !
علي دا Ù¾Ûلا نمبر – ØÙ‚
ali da pahla nambar
Ali is first in rank – Truth !
دما دم مست قلندر – ØÙ‚
damaadam mast qalandar – haq
in each rapturous breath is the qalandar – Truth !
علي رگ رگ دے اندر – ØÙ‚
ali rag rag de andar – haq
Ali in each quivering pulse – Truth !
دما دم مست قلندر – ØÙ‚
damaadam mast qalandar – haq
in each rapturous breath is the qalandar – Truth !
سخي Ø´Ûباز قلندر – ØÙ‚
sakhi shahbaaz qalandar – haq
Gracious Shahbaz Qalandar – Truth !
قلندر لعل قلندر – ØÙ‚
qalandar laal qalandar – haq
Gracious Shahbaz Qalandar – Truth !
Øسيني لعل قلندر- ØÙ‚
husaini laal qalandar – haq
Husain’s slave, Laal Qalandar – Truth !
دما دم مست قلندر – ØÙ‚
damaadam mast qalandar
in each rapturous breath is the qalandar – Truth !
علي دم دم دے اندر
ali dam dam de andar – haq
Ali in each gasp and breath – Truth !
دما دم مست قلندر – ØÙ‚
damaadam mast qalandar
in each rapturous breath is the qalandar – Truth !
سخي Ø´Ûباز قلندر – ØÙ‚
sakhi shahbaaz qalandar – haq
Gracious Shahbaz Qalandar – Truth !
ÛÙˆ لعل ميري ÛÙˆ لعل ميري
ho laal meri ho laal meri
O Red-robed one, O Red-robed one
مست
mast
Rapt !
ØÙ‚
haq
Truth !
کچکول Ú©Ù„Ø§Ø¨Û Ú©Ù…Ø± Ø¨Ø³ØªÛ Ø§Ù„Û?ÙŠ
kachkol kulaabah kamar bastah ilaahi
iron band and begging bowl in hand, the religious mendicant is always ready
دستارے پرسينے ثنائي
dastaare purseenen sanaai
wearing the customary turban, he sings God’s praises
قلندر Ø´Ø§Û Ù‚Ù„Ù†Ø¯Ø±
qalandar shaah qalandar
qalandar king qalandar
عرش Ù¾Û Ù‚Ù„Ù†Ø¯Ø±
‘arsh pih qalandar
in the highest sphere is the qalandar
Ùرش Ù¾Û Ù‚Ù„Ù†Ø¯Ø±
farsh pih qalandar
on the earth is the qalandar
غچ نوبت اوج کي نشاني
ghach naubat auj ki nishaani
the clang of drums is the mark of touching the zenith
تÙقان Ú©ÙŠ لڑائي سے Øسيني گدا کيا کر
tufqan ki la?aai se husaini gada kiya kar
in the battle against hunger, practice the self-denial of Husain
مرشد کا Ûاتھ Ù¾Ú©Ú‘ کر
murshid ka haath pakar kar
taking hold of the Guide’s hand
Ø§Ù„Ù„Û Ú©Ø§ نام ليا کر
allah ka naam liya kar
take the name of God !