During our last visit to Texas, we met with my best friend from undergrad, Chandan and his girlfriend, Estella. While I shall write about our wonderful trip and visit to Dallas and San Antonio some other time, this entry is related to a wonderful song that I listened to and have been wanting to own the CD of for the last 4 months. En route to San Antonio,Bulleh Shah (1680-1757) Chandan played a CD with one of the most beautiful songs/verse that I have heard in a long time in his car. Rabbi Shergill, someone I had not been exposed to before, with his really soothing voice sung this beautifully written verse by Bulleh Shah (18th century Punjabi Sufi poet and humanist) in an amazing composition with all the modern instruments. An awesome song! So good that I turned down the offer to take the mp3. Instead, I wanted pay and buy a CD so that the singer (and everyone associated with the song/album) gets his due.
Unfortunately, despite looking frantically at all places in the bay-area for over 4 months, I am yet to find a place that actually carries one. My only alternative (and no, it's not available via amazon either), wait 'til a friend/family member travels to this side of the world and would be willing to bring one....
For those who are intrigued, here's the written version and one of it's translations (I am not sure if it is the most correct one). You have to listen to really understand...
Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun | Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not a believer inside the mosque, am I |
Na maen momin vich maseet aan Na maen vich kufar diyan reet aan Na maen paakaan vich paleet aan Na maen moosa na pharaun. Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun Na maen andar ved kitaab aan, Na vich bhangaan na sharaab aan Na vich rindaan masat kharaab aan Na vich jaagan na vich saun. Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun. Na vich shaadi na ghamnaaki Na maen vich paleeti paaki Na maen aabi na maen khaki Na maen aatish na maen paun Bulleh!, ki jaana maen kaun Na maen arabi na lahori Na maen hindi shehar nagauri Na hindu na turak peshawri Na maen rehnda vich nadaun Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun Na maen bheth mazhab da paaya Ne maen aadam havva jaaya Na maen apna naam dharaaya Na vich baitthan na vich bhaun Bulleh , ki jaana maen kaun Avval aakhir aap nu jaana Na koi dooja hor pehchaana Maethon hor na koi siyaana Bulla! ooh khadda hai kaun Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun | Nor a pagan disciple of false rites Not the pure amongst the impure Neither Moses, nor the Pharoh Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not in the holy Vedas, am I Nor in opium, neither in wine Not in the drunkard`s intoxicated craze Niether awake, nor in a sleeping daze Bulleh! to me, I am not known In happiness nor in sorrow, am I Neither clean, nor a filthy mire Not from water, nor from earth Neither fire, nor from air, is my birth Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not an Arab, nor Lahori Neither Hindi, nor Nagauri Hindu, Turk (Muslim), nor Peshawari Nor do I live in Nadaun Bulleh! to me, I am not known Secrets of religion, I have not known From Adam and Eve, I am not born I am not the name I assume Not in stillness, nor on the move Bulleh! to me, I am not known I am the first, I am the last None other, have I ever known I am the wisest of them all Bulleh! do I stand alone? Bulleh! to me, I am not known |
Translation Courtesy: Chowk.Com
Note: If someone knows of a store where I can buy this in the bay-area, please do drop me a comment with the name of the place and address.
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