Did you know that the south Indian city of Mahabalipuram is also called, though not by many as “The land of Seven Pagodas”?
Mahabalipuram on the Map of India
If the term “Pagoda” is not familiar to you, I’ll give a small hint. The Konark Sun temple has the nickname ‘Black Pagoda’ while the Puri Jagannath temple is also called as the ‘White Pagoda’.
By now, you probably would have rightly guessed that a pagoda is nothing but another name for a temple. Let’s come back to Mahabalipuram/ 7 Pagodas, shall we?
There must be 7 temples in Mahabalipuram one after another, right?
The argument is correct but in reality, there is only one temple on the Mahabalipuram shore, called as the Shore Temple (No points for guessing here!)
This lone temple, built in the 8th century under the reign of a Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, stands at the shore of the Bay of Bengal. Legend has it thatsix other temples once stood with it. Remarkable as the Shore temple may seem, it is the six other temples that have gained the most interest.
Where are they now?
That is where things start getting really interesting. The common belief is that the other 6 temples are still right there, not more than 500m from the Shore temple. The sad part is that they are now submerged deep in the ocean.
I’ll try to demystify the myth/ reality behind the 6 lost temples point by point.
Ancient evidence: Very Unclear. There is a lack of complete written records and the legend has mainly propagated through storytelling. The locals believe that the god Indra became jealous of this earthly city and sank it during a great storm, leaving only the Shore Temple above water. Also, the fishermen believe that at least some of the other temples can be seen “glittering beneath the waves” from the fishing boats. Who knows what proportion of it is hogwash!
European Explorers: The first explorer to write about the 7 pagodas was John Goldingham, an English astronomer living in Madras in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He wrote an account of his visit and the legend in 1798. Goldingham mainly described art, statues, and inscriptions found throughout the archaeological site at Mahabalipuram. According to another guy J.W. Coombes, a British writer, the pagodas once stood on the edge of the shore, and their copper domes reflected sunlight and served as a nautical landmark. He claimed that modern people do not know for sure how many pagodas once existed. He believed that the number was close to seven (Shore temple + 6 lost temples)!
2004 Tsunami: Immediately before the 2004 tsunami struck the Indian Ocean, including the Bay of Bengal, the ocean water off Mahabalipuram’s coast pulled back approximately 500 meters. Tourists and residents who witnessed this event from the beach recalled seeing a long, straight row of large rocks emerge from the water.As the tsunami rushed to shore, these stones were covered again by water. However, centuries worth of sediment that had covered them was gone. The tsunami also made some immediate, lasting changes to the coastline, which left a few previously covered statues and small structures uncovered on the shore
Lion statue from 7th century B.C. that appeared after the December 26, 2004 tsunami
After the Tsunami: In April 2005, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Indian Navy began searching the waters off the coast of Mahabalipuram by boat, using sonar technology. They discovered that the row of large stones people had seen immediately before the tsunami were part of a 6-foot-high, 70-meter-long wall. ASI and the Navy also discovered remains of two other submerged temples and one cave temple within 500 meters of the shore. Although these findings do not necessarily correspond to the myth of the seven pagodas, they do indicate that a large complex of temples was in Mahabalipuram. This draws the myth closer to reality—and there are likely many more discoveries waiting to be found.
Remains of underwater structures off Mahabalipuram
Diver working on the site
Everything we just read above points towards one thing. While many of us look to the space with awe, we forget that an incredible vista of unexplored wonder is much closer to home, waiting for us to dive into. Miles beneath the water, there could be many sights we have never imagined. As we continue to improve our technology, more of the ocean’s beauty will be laid before us, but the oceans will likely still contain countless mysteries.
Here are all the questions asked in Civil Services (Mains) Examination- 2018, conducted as per the below schedule. The post includes all the questions asked in GS – I, II, III, IV and the Essay Paper.
alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India
A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge
Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere
Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task
SECTION – B
Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life
“The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values
A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both
Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it
Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 1
Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (10)
Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (10)
Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (10)
Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (10 )
Why is India taking keen interest in the Arctic region? (10)
Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (10)
What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (10)
“Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (10)
‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons. (10)
How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (10)
The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (15)
Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. (15)
Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (15)
“The ideal solution of depleting groundwater resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (15)
Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (15)
What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (15)
Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (15)
‘Women’s movement in India has not addresses the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (15)
‘Globalisation is generally said to promote cultural homogenisation but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.’ Elucidate.
‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (15)
Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 2
In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (10)
Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (10)
Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (10)
Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (10)
“The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (10)
“Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.
Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
E-governance in not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. (10)
“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (10 )
A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. (10)
Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine. (15)
How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India. (15)
Indian and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss. (15)
Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (15)
Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case. (15)
How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (15)
The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters. (15)
What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (15)
In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? (15)
Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 3
“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low income trap? (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries? (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (150 Words, 10 Marks)
What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State? (150 Words, 10 Marks)
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
How are the principles followed by NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber-crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same? (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 4 (ETHICS)
1. (a) State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. (150 words)
(b) Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples. (150 words)
2. (a) What is mean by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest? (150 words)
(b) “The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss. (150 words)
3. (a) What is mean by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest. (150 words)
(b) “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffett
What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain. (150 words)
4. (a) “In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly or by clear implication”. Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a public servant discharging his/her duties. (150 words)
(b) With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer. (150 words)
5. (a) Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bond by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies (150 words)
(b) Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration. (150 words)
6. What do each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context?
(a) “The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the preponderance between them is continually demanded. ”Abraham Lincoln ( 150 words) (b) “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. “ _ Mahatma Gandhi (150 words)
(c) “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” _ Tirukkural (150 words)
Section B
7. Rakesh is a responsible district level officer, who enjoys the trust of his higher officials. Knowing his honesty, the government entrusted him with the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries under a health care scheme meant for senior citizens.
The criteria to be a beneficiary are the following: (a) 60 years of age or above. (b) Belonging to a reserved community. (c) Family income of less than 1 Lakh rupees per annum. (d) Post-treatment prognosis is likely to be high to make a positive difference to the quality of life of the beneficiary.
One day, an old couple visited Rakesh’s office with their application. They have been the residents of a village in his district since their birth. The old man is diagnosed with a rare condition that causes obstruction in the large intestine. As a consequence, he has severe abdominal pain frequently that prevents him from doing any physical labour. The couple has no children to support them. The expert surgeon whom they contacted is willing to do the surgery without charging any fee. However, the couple will have to bear the cost of incidental charges, such as medicines, hospitalization, etc., to the tune of rupees one lakh. The couple fulfils all the criteria except criterion ‘b’. However, any financial aid would certainly make a significant difference in their quality of life.
How should Rakesh respond to the situation? (250 words)
8. As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road constructions projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around that area.
Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his 20 acres farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover.
Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant. (250 words)
9. It is a State where prohibition is in force. You are recently appointed as the Superintendent of Police of a district notorious for illicit distillation of liquor. The illicit liquor leads to many death, reported and unreported, and causes a major problem for the district authorities. The approach till now had been to view it as a law and order problem and tackle it accordingly. Raids, arrest, police cases, and criminal trials – all these had only limited impact. The problem remains as serious as ever.
Your inspections show that the parts of the district where the distillation flourishes are economically, industrially and educationally backward. Agriculture is badly affected by poor irrigation facilities. Frequent clashes among communities gave boost to illicit distillation. No major initiatives had taken place in the past either from the government’s side or from social organizations to improve the lot of the people.
Which new approach will you adopt to bring the problem under control? (250 words)
10. A big corporate house is engaged in manufacturing industrial chemicals on a large scale. It proposes to set upon the additional unit. Many states rejected its proposal due to the detrimental effect on the environment. But one state government acceded to the request and permitted the unit close to a city, brushing aside all opposition.
The unit was set up 10 years ago and was in full swing till recently. The pollution caused by the industrial effluents was affecting the land, water and crops in the area. It was also causing serious health problems to human beings and animals. This gave rise to a series of agitation thousands of people took part, creating a law and order problem necessitating stern police action. Following the public outcry, the State government ordered the closure of the factory.
The closure of the factory resulted in the unemployment of not only those workers who were engaged in the factory but also those who were working in the ancillary units. It also very badly affected those industry which depended on the chemicals manufactured by it.
As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of handling this issues, how are you going to address it? (250 words)
11. Dr X is a leading medical practitioner in a city. He has set up a charitable trust through which he plans to establish a super-speciality hospital in the city to cater to the medical needs of all sections of the society. Incidentally, that part of the State had been neglected over the years. The proposed hospital would be a boon for the region. You are heading the tax investigation agency of that region. During an inspection of the doctor’s clinic, your officers have found out some major irregularities. A few of them are substantial which had resulted in considerable withholding of tax that should be paid by him now. The doctor is cooperative. He undertakes to pay the tax immediately. However, there are certain other deficiencies in his tax compliance which are purely technical in nature. If these technical defaults are pursued by the agency, considerable time and energy of the doctor will be diverted to issues which are not so serious, urgent or even helpful to the tax collection process. Further, in all probability, it will hamper the prospects of the hospital coming up.
There are two options before you:
1) Taking a broader view, ensure substantial tax compliance and ignore defaults that are merely technical in nature. 2) Pursue the matter strictly and proceed on all fronts, whether substantial or merely technical.
As the head of the tax agency, which course of action will you opt and why? (250 words)
12. Edward Snowden, a computer expert and former CIA administrator, released confidential Government documents to the press about the existence of Government surveillance programmes. According to many legal experts and the US Government, his action violated the Espionage act of 1971, which identified the leak of State secret as an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he broke the law, Snowden argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave a justification for his “whistle blowing” by stating that he had a duty “to inform the public as to that which is done in there name and that which is done against them.” According to Snowden, the Government’s violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised national security, for which he should be held accountable.
Do you agree that Snowden’s actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case (250 words )
Sanson Ki Mala Pe (literally: On the rosary of breath) is among the most popular songs of the legendary vocalist, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and was first played by Khan when he first visited India in 1979. Personally, this was the first song that I ever heard by NFAK and so this one is pretty close to my heart.
This is a very lengthy Qawwali as you’ll see as you scroll down for lyrics/ translation. The lyrics are extremely well written with plenty of literary devices. Adding to that, Nusrat only performed this Qawwali when he did not have any paucity of time and therefore, all the live performances of ”Sanson Ki Mala” on YouTube, albeit not many in number are complete with no part left out. Surprisingly enough, it is a Hindu bhajan originally sung by Meerabai (c. 1498 – c. 1557 AD), i.e. more than 500 years back. The fact that NFAK, being a Muslim sang this with all his heart and devotion speaks volumes about the power of music which binds us together irrespective of one’s religion.
Without beating around the bush, here are the complete lyrics with translation.
ENJOY!
Aa Piya In Nainan Mein
Jo Palk Dhamp Tohe Loon
Naan Mein Dekhoon Gair Ko
Naan Mein Tohe Dekhan Doon
O beloved arise inside my eyes
Let me hold you within
I will not see any other
Nor will I let you
Haath Chudawat Jaat Ho Jo Nir Mil Jaan Ke Mohe
Hirdai Main Se Jaon To Tab Main Janoon Tohe
Parting from my hands and abandoning without a union
Now try leaving my heart and I shall see you
Neel Gagan Se Bhi Pare
Saiya Ji Ka Gaon
Yet lovelier than blue skies
Is the village of your dwelling
Darshan Jaal Ki Kamna
Pat Rakheo Ri Ram
I yearn for his appearance
Listen to me! O Lord
Abb Kismat Ke Haath Hai
Iss Bandan Ki Laaj
Now it’s all in the hands of destiny
Nobility and respect of this union
Maine To Mann Likh Diya
Sawariya Ke Naam
I have inscribed myself
In the name of my beloved
Woh Chatar Hai Kamni
Woh Hai Sundar Nar
Iss Pagli Ne Kar Liya
Sajan Ka Mann Ram
He is a melodious bird
He is a magnificent man
This foolish girl has taken
The beloved’s heart as the Lord
Jab Se Radha Shaam Ke
Nain Hue Hain Char
Shaam Banne Hain Radhika
Radha Ban Gaye Shaam
Since Radha Shaam befell
My senses have become one
Shaam became Radhika
And Radha became Shaam
MAIN BODY
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
APNE MAN KI MAIN JAANUUN AUR PI KE MAN KI RAAM
I know about my heart and god knows about the heart of my beloved
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
APNE MAN KI MAIN JAANUUN AUR PEE KE MAN KI RAAM
I know about my heart and god knows about the heart of my beloved
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PI KA NAAM
The name of my beloved
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
YEHI MERI BANDAGI HAI YEHI MERI POOJA
This is my worship and devotion
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAA…
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PI KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
EK KA SAJAN MANDIR MAIN EK KA PREETAM MASJID MAIN
Ones beloved is in the Temple and others beloved is in the Mosque
AUR MEIN
And Me
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PAPEEHAY OH PAPEEHAY
Oh pied cuckoo
TU YEH KIYOON AANSO BAHAATA HAI
Why are you crying weeping so profusely
ZUBAAN PE TERI PEE PEE KIS LIYEH REH REH KE AATA HAI
What is reason now and then cuckoo name of beloved on your tongue
SADA YE DARD O GHAM KI YOON DDARDMANDOON KO SUNATA HAI
Why do you always sing the song of pain and sorrow
JO KHUDHI JAL RAHA HOON AUR KIYOON US KO JALAATA HAI
The one who is already burning why you burn him again
KAATOON TORI CHOONCH PAHEEHA
Oh cuckoo I should cut your beak
RAAM DAROON PE LOON
You put salt on my wounds
MEIN PEE KI AUR PEE MORA TU PEE KAHAY HAI KAUN
I am beloveds and beloved is mine who are you to tell me about it
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAA…
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
Abb Kismat Ke Haath Hai
Now it is all in the hands of destiny
Iss Bandan Ki Laaj
Nobility and respect of this union
Maine to Mann Likh Diya Sawariya Ke Naam
I have inscribed myself In the name of my beloved
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
MEIN PEE KI MORAT KO POOJOON
I worship the idol of my beloved
MEIN PEE KI SURAT KO POOJOON
I worship the face of my beloved
HER DAM
All the time
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAA…
SAANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PE KE NAAM KAHOON MEIN PUJARI
I am worshiper of my beloved’s name
HER SAANS MEIN WARI SIMROON MEIN PEE KA NAAM
In every breath , with every breathe his name flows, his name is flowing
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
HUM AUR NAHI KACHO KAAM KE MATWARE PEE KE NAAM KE
It am no other use expec yarning for my beloveds name
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAA…
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
SAJNI BAATI KAB LIKHOON JO PREETAM HO PARDES
If my beloved is abroad in other nation, I should write love letters
TAN MEIN MUN MEIN PIYA BASAY BHEJON KISAY SANDES MEIN
In my body and in my soul my beloveds is present then whom I should send a message
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
HER HER MEIN HAI HER BASAY
God is present everywhere and everything
HER HER KO HER HAI HER KI AAS
And everyone longs for God
HER KO HER HER DHOOND PHIRI
I searched for God everywhere
AUR HER HAI MORE PAAS
But he is alongside me
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAA…
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
DEEN DHARAM SUB CHOOR KE MEIN TO
Leaving the religion and all rules of society
PEE KI DHUN MEIN SUD BUD KHOYI
I got entrapped in my beloveds love
CHIT JAAON GUN PEE PEE KE GAAON AUR NAHI KOI DOJA KAAM
Wherever I go, I glorify my beloveds name and I have no other job to do
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAA…
CHIT JAAON GUN PEE PEE KE GAAON AUR NAHI KOI DOJA KAAM
Wherever I go, I glorify my beloveds name and I have no other job to do
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
APNE MUN KI MEIN JAANON AUR PEE KE MUN KI RAAM
I know about my heart and god knows about the heart of my beloved
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAA …
APNE MUN KI MEIN JAANON AUR PEE KE MUN KI RAAM
I know about my heart and god knows about the heart of my beloved
AAA
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PREM KE RUNG MEIN AISEE DOOBI, BUN GAYA AIK HEE ROOP
In color of love, I droned myself in such way that we become one
PREM KE RUNG MEIN AISEE DOOBI, BUN GAYA AIK HEE ROOP
In color of love, I droned myself in such way that we become one
PREM KI MALA JAPTE JAPTE AAP BANI MEI SHYAAM
Beading the garland of love my beloveds name I myself became the God or shyaam,
I forgot about my own physical and spiritual existence
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PREM KI MALA JAPTE JAPTE AAP BANI MEI SHYAAM
Beading the garland of love my beloveds name I myself became the God or shyaam,
I forgot about my own physical and spiritual existence
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PREM KE RUNG MEIN AISEE DOOBI
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
PREM KE RUNG MEIN AISEE DOOBI
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
PREM KE RUNG MEIN AISEE DOOBI
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
AA PIYA IN NAINAN MEIN, MAIN PALK DHAMP TOHE LOON
Oh beloved get inside come into my eyes so I can hold you there
NAAN MEIN DEKHOO GAIR KO NAAN MEIN TOHE DEKHAN DOON
I will not see others and will not let you see others
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
PREETAM HUM TUM AIK HEIN, JO KEHEN SUNAN MEIN DO
Oh beloved we are one but we appear as two
HUM TUM AIK HEIN PREETAM HUM TUM AIK HEIN
Yes my beloved we are one we are one
MUN KO MUN SE TOLIYAH AUR TO MUN QUBOOL NA HO
If we clean the idea of self from our heart, all duality confusion will disappear
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
PREETAM TUMRE SUNG HAI APNA RAAJ SUHAAG
Oh beloved my kingdom my everything is in your company only
Without your company nothing is there
TUM NAAHI TO KACHO NAHI TUM MILE TO JAAGE BHAAG
Without you nothing is there if I find you, if we meet I would be very lucky
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
AUGAN POOJA PAAT TAJAY AUR LAGA PREM KA ROUG
On the way of worship, I got the disease of love
PREETAM KA BUS DHEYAN RAHAY YEHI HAI APNA JOOB
Beloved name should remain in my memory forever is my wish, worship
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
HAATH CHURAWAT JAAT HO, JO NIRMIL JAAN KE MOHE
You are leaving my hand without abandoning me without union meeting
HIRDE MEIN SE JAAWAT HO TAB MEIN JAANON TOHE
Try leaving my heart and I shall see you
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
HER DAM DEKHO MORA PEHARWA SADA RAHAT MORE GHAR NAAHI
In my heart, every time I see I see my beloved there
ANDER BAAHIR AAP WOHI HAI MEIN NAAHEN MEIN NAAHEEN
Inside and Outside he is only there I am nowhere , nowhere
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
JOGANYA KA BHES BANA KE PEE KO DHONDAN JAAON REE
Dressed like a worshipper, I am searching for my beloved
NAGRI NAGRI DWAARE DWAARE PEE KI SHABAD SUNAON GI
In every state on every door, I will sing about you oh my beloved
TARAS BIKHARI JAG MEIN HO KE DARSHAN BHICHYA PAAON GI
Like a beggar in this world, I am searching for your vision your glimpse
TAN MUN UN PER WAROON PEE KI JOGANYA KEHLAOON REE
I sacrifice my body and soul for my beloved so I will be known as his worshipper
AISE DOOBI PREM KE RUNG MEIN
In a color of love I drowned myself in such a way that
PREM KE RUNG MEIN AISE DOBI BUN GAYA AIK HE ROOP
In color of love, I droned myself in such way that we become one
PREM KE RUNG MEIN AISE DOBI BUN GAYA AIK HE ROOP
In color of love, I droned myself in such way that we become one
PREM KI MAALA JAPTE JAPTE AAP BANI MEIN SHAYAAM
Beading the garland of love my beloveds name I myself became the God or shyaam,
I forgot about my own physical and spiritual existence
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PREM KI MAALA JAPTE JAPTE AAP BANI MEIN SHAYAAM
Beading the garland of love my beloveds name I myself became the God or shyaam,
I forgot about my own physical and spiritual existence
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PREETAM KA KUCH DOSH NAHI HAI, WO TO HAI NIRDOSH
My beloved is not guilty He is innocent
PREETAM KA KUCH DOSH NAHI HAI, WO TO HAI NIRDOSH
My beloved is not guilty He is innocent he is blemish less
APNE AAP SE BAATEIN KER KE HOO GAYI MEIN BADNAAM
Like insane person by talking with myself, I got a bad repute , bad name
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
APNE AAP SE BAATEIN KER KE HOO GAYI MEIN BADNAAM
Like insane person by talking with myself, I got a bad repute , bad name
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PREM PIYALA JAB SE PIYA HAI
Since I drank the love from the glass of love
PREM PIYALA JAB SE PIYA HAI, JEE KA HAI YEH HAAL
Since I drank the love from the glass of love my condition is such that
TAARO PE NEEND AA JAYE KAANTON PE AARAM
On burning coils I can sleep and thorns I can rest
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
JEEVAN KA SHINGAR HAI PREETAM
My beloved is the beautification adornment of life
JEEVAN KA SHINGAR HAI PREETAM, MAANG KA HAI SINDOOR
My beloved is the beautification adornment of life and vermilion in my hair
PREETAM KI NAZROON SE GIR KER JEENA HAI KISS KAAM
When fallen from the eyes of my beloved what is the use of such living
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PREETAM KI NAZROON SE GIR KER JEENA HAI KISS KAAM
When fallen from the eyes of my beloved what is the use of such living
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
AAAAA
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
PEE KA NAAM
My beloved’s name
SANSON KI MALA PE SIMRUUN MAIN PEE KA NAAM
I bead my beloveds name on the garland of my breaths
This is the best version present on the internet at present. Do watch!
I started my previous post with Jeff Buckley and I am going to do the exact same thing here again.
So, there is this 9-minute video on YouTube, an audio rather, of Jeff performing live at Sin-é, NY city in 1993. Nusrat had performed there a few days ago too and a guy in Nusrat’s audience who was present at Jeff’s performance too asked him if he knew Nusrat. The question, as random as it may sound gave us something that will forever be remembered by music lovers. I am not going to disclose what followed next. You’ll have to listen to the performance yourself
If you listen to Jeff singing ‘Halka Halka Suroor…’, it will automatically bring a smile to your face. Jeff Buckley, when singing and mispronouncing nearly every word in the song, stands for every music lover enamored by an artist singing in an alien language. On one hand, it’s almost frightening how close he gets to the feel of a Nusrat song – the impassioned wails, the improvisations, the fact that he is singing the part of Rahmat Ali, the high-pitched backing singer that you hear on every one of Nusrat’s live shows. On the other, it’s hard not to be swayed by the the earnest appeal to the crowd to “do it like they do it in Pakistan”, urging them to clap in time with the song.
The thing to understand here is that “Buckley never made a secret of his love for Pakistani musician Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, but Nusrat—often acknowledged as the greatest Qawwali singer of the modern era—isn’t exactly the kind of guy who’s easily covered by Westerners unfamiliar with the tonalities of Sufi music. But, fan that Buckley was, he persevered anyway. In this performance, it’s the casualness with which Buckley tosses off “Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai” that surprises most of all. What begins as a conversation with his audience about an artist he loves (his “Elvis,” even) turns into what seems to be an impromptu, jokey imitation.
But it’s not!
During his infatuation with Qawwali (he reportedly owned 400 cassettes of Qawwali recordings), Buckley actually studied Urdu pronunciation so that his phonetic approximations would sound faithful to the language. This is no half-assed cultural parody, but a fully-integrated part of Buckley’s musical background. It’s hard to say if the audience’s initial laughter was inspired by the fact that Buckley begins the song just as he begins a lot of tossed-off goofs at his shows (in fact, directly following “Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai,” Buckley attempts a Qawwali-inspired run at “Smells Like Teen Spirit”) or by some discomfort with the culturally unfamiliar or by a similar discomfort with a white, American artist quite possibly veering into political incorrectness. But they’re quickly won over by an artist who treats Nusrat’s devotional song with respect and seriousness—and a fair bit of joy—and they clap along.
Sadly, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is gone and there can never be any other Nusrat. Sure, almost every high-pitched singer on every talent show in India tries to sing Nusrat songs, but they are mostly insipid rehashes, sans personality or individuality.
While we are on the topic, Bollywood recently butchered Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Ye Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai to pieces while the film director got Aishwarya Rai and Rajkummar Rao to romance and eat chowmein to it :
Before we get to the lyrics and translation, there is one performance of this qawaali that derserves a super special mention. Less than 6 months after India won it’s first Cricket world cup, Nusrat was in West Birmingham, England on 3rd November 1983. He sang many of his trademark Qawaalis like Jogi de naal and Saason ki Maala. Towards the end, there was one more song that he performed, its length being 68 minutes. Words probably wouldn’t suffice but it was a masterpiece in its truest sense, about three or four different qawwalis rolled into one. In fact at 68 minutes this is the 2nd longest Nusrat recording I’ve come across. Rumor has it that at Rishi Kapoor’s wedding in 1979 he performed this qawwali for two and a half hours straight. Sadly no recording exist of that performance!
In awe of every glance of the cup-bearer, I drank
I drank playing with the waves of joy.
ai rahmat-e-tamaam merii har Khataa mu’aaf maiN intihaa-e-shauq meN ghabraa ke pii gayaa
O all-merciful! Please forgive all my wrongs
I drank confounded by the extreme desire.
piitaa baGhair izn ye kab thii meri majaal dar-pardaa chashm-e-yaar kii shah paa ke pii gayaa
I do not dare to drink without permission
but the patronage of veiled eyes of my beloved beckoned.
zaahid ye merii shoKhii-e-rindaanaa dekhnaa rahmat ko baatoN baatoN meN bahlaa ke pii gayaa
O abstinent! Look at the mischievousness of my drinking
I drank by befriending the forgiveness [of God].
uudii uudii ghaataa’eN aatii haiN mutriboN kii navaa’eN aatii haiN
Purple clouds are over-cast
and the sound of music is all around.
kis ke gesuu khule haiN saavan meN mahkii mahkii havaa’eN aatii haiN
Whose tresses are open in the rains?
The winds are perfumed.
aao sah’n-e-chaman meN raqs kareN saaz lekar ghaataa’eN aatii haiN
Let us dance in the garden courtyard
the clouds brought music [with them].
dekh kar unkii ankhRiyoN ko “Adam” maikadoN ko havaa’eN aatii haiN
After seeing her eyes O Adam!
I can feel the ambience of tavern.
paas rahtaa hai duur rahtaa hai ko’ii dil meN zaruur rahtaa hai
Near and far, somebody lives
somebody do lives in my heart.
jab se dekhaa hai unkii aaNkhoN ko halkaa halkaa suruur rahtaa hai
From the time I have seen her eyes
I remain mildly intoxicated.
aise rehte haiN vo mere dil meN jaise zulmat meN nuur rahtaa hai
My beloved lives in my heart, like
light lives in darkness.
ab “Adam” kaa vo haal hai har qadam mast rahtaa hai chuur rahtaa hai
“Adam” is of such a disposition that at every step
he remains intoxicated and ecstatic.
ye jo halkaa halkaa suruur hai ye terii nazar kaa qusuur hai ke sharaab piina sikha diyaa
This mild intoxication
is because of your eyes,
that taught me drinking.
tere pyaar ne terii chaah ne teri bahkii bahkii nigaah ne mujhe ek sharaabii bana diyaa
Your love and your longing,
your intoxicating glances
made me a drunkard.
sharaab kaisii, Khumaar kaisaa ye sab tumharii navaazisheN haiN pilaayii hai kis nazar se tuune ke mujhko apnii Khabar nahiiN hai
What wine, what intoxication
all this is [due to] your kindness.
You served me [wine] with your eyes such
that I have forgotten myself.
saaraa jahaaN mast, jahaaN kaa nizaam mast din mast, raat mast, saher mast, shaam mast mast shiisha, mast subuu, mast jaam mast hai terii chashm-e-mast se har Khaas-o-aam mast
The whole world is ecstatic, the order of the world is ecstatic.
The day is ecstatic, so is dawn and so is evening.
The glass, cup and wine are all ecstatic.
Because of your intoxicating eyes, everyone and everything is ecstatic.
ye jo saaqii har tarah kii tere maiKhaane meN hai vo bhii thoRii sii jo in aaNkhon ke paimaane meN hai
Of all the wines you have in your tavern
serve me a little from your eyes.
sab samajhtaa huuN terii ishqbaari nazar ai saaqii kaam kartii hai nazar, naam hai paimaane kaa
I understand your alluring glances
that cause intoxication, instead of wine.
teraa pyaar hai bas merii zindagii
Only your love is my life.
na namaaz aatii hai mujhko na vuzuu aataa hai sajdaa kar letaa huuN jab saamne tuu aataa hai
Neither I know prayers nor ablutions,
I prostate whenever you come in front of me.
maiN azal se bandaa-e-ishq huuN mujhe zuhd-o-kufr kaa Gham nahiiN mere sar ko dar teraa mil gayaa mujhe ab talaash-e-haram nahiiN
I am a follower of love since the beginning of life
[and] I do not care for piousness or irreligiousness.
My head has found your house,
now I do not search for the mosque.
merii bandagii hai vo bandagii jo ba-qaid-e-dair-o-haram nahiiN mera ek nazar tumheN dekhnaa baa-Khudaa namaaz se kam nahiiN
My devotion is such devotion
that is not bound by the mosque and the temple.
When I see you once
by God, it is no less than a prayer.
teraa pyaar hai bas merii zindagii
Only your love is my life.
qayaamat meN teraa daaGh-e-muhabbat lekar uThuungaa terii tasviir us dam bhii kaleje se lagii hogii
On the day of judgment, I would rise with the scars of your love
your image would be clinging to my heart on that day.
kyunkii
because
teraa pyaar hai bas merii zindagii
Only your love is my life.
terii yaad hai merii bandagii jo terii Khushii, vo merii Khushii ye mere junuuN kaa hai mo’jizaa jahaaN apne sar ko jhukaa diyaa vahaaN maine Kaaba banaa diyaa
Your remembrance is my prayer
[and] your wish is my wish.
This is the miracle of my frenzy
that where ever I prostrated
a mosque was made there.
mere baad kisko sataaoge?
On whom would you inflict pain after me?
Dil-jaloN se dil-lagii acchii nahiiN rone vaaloN se haNsii acchii nahiiN dillagii hii dillagii meN dil gayaa
It is not nice to play with the emotions of sufferers,
it is not good to laugh at the mourners.
I lost my heart in [just in] play.
O! meraa dil gayaa, dil gayaa, dil gayaa
O my heart is gone!
Khudaa ke liye apnii nazroN ko roko varnaa meraa dil gayaa, dil gayaa, dil gayaa
For God’s sake change your glances, else
my heart is gone.
merii tarah Khudaa kare teraa kisii pe aaye dil tuu bhii kalejaa thaam ke kahtaa phire ke haaye dil
I pray to God that you also fall in love with someone
and suffer in separation with hands on your heart.
meraa dil gayaa, dil gayaa, dil gayaa
My heart is gone.
dillagii hii dillagii meN dil gayaa dil lagaane ka natiijaa mil gayaa maiN to rotaa huuN ke meraa dil gayaa tum kyuuN hanste ho tumheN kyaa mil gayaa?
I lost my heart just in fun
and got the measure of falling in love.
I cry because my heart is lost
[but] why do you laugh, what did you get?
acchaa phir…..
Okay then…..
mere baad kisko sataaoge? mujhe kis tarah se miTaaoge? kahaaN jaa kar tiir chalaaoge? merii dostii kii balaayeN lo mujhe haath uThaa kar du’aaeN do tumheN ek qaatil banaa diyaa
To whom would you inflict pain after me?
How would you take me out of your life?
Where would you cast those arrow-like glances?
Value my friendship
[that] helped you to gain murderous charm.
mujhe dekho Khvaaish-e-jaan-e-jaaN maiN vohii huuN “Anwar”-e-niim jaaN tumheN itnaa hosh thaa jab kahaaN na chalaao is tarah tum zubaaN karo meraa shukriyaa meh’rbaaN tumheN baat karnaa sikhaa diyaa
Watch me, O my desire of life!
I am the same suffering “Anwar”
You were not even in your senses at that time
[so] don’t argue with me in such a manner
[but] offer thanks to me
that I helped you articulate yourself.
Note: Anwar is the name of the poet.
ye jo halkaa halkaa suruur hai ye terii nazar kaa qusuur hai ke sharaab piina sikha diyaa
This mild intoxication
is because of your eyes,
that taught me drinking.
Lyrics: Jigar Moradabadi, Abdul Hameed Adam, Anwar Jogi
Here are the top 5 NFAK performances of “ Halka Halka Suroor” as per me!
Birmingham (1979): Had this been longer, this would’ve been my clear favorite. Because this is one of Nusrat’s first concerts recorded, it sounds like a completely different song. There are a lot of lines which I never heard Nusrat sing again in any other performance in the next 20 years till the day he died. Google searching those lines too doesn’t return anything substantial. So, trust me, this one is special!
First recorded version!: Though I don’t usually like studio versions because they tend to kill that rawness and audience reactions that a live performance has but this one is pretty rare. Just like the above performance, this one has some ‘never seen again’ lines. Nusrat straightaway jumps to the main body of the song at 1:30 mark in a 30 minute performance, something that is extremely rare. This one doesn’t bother with intros or alaaps; it’s pedal to the metal from start to finish.
” The first time I heard the voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was in Harlem, 1990. My roommate and I stood there, blasting it in his room. We were all awash in the thick undulating tide of dark Punjabi tabla rhythms, spiked with synchronized handclaps booming from above and below in hard, perfect time.
I heard the clarion call of harmoniums dancing the antique melody around like a giant, singing wooden spiders. Then all of a sudden, the rising of one, then ten voices hovering over the tonic like a flock of geese ascending into formation across the sky.
Then came the voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Part Buddha, part demon, part mad angel…his voice is velvet fire, simply incomparable. Nusrat’s blending of classical improvisations to the art of Qawwali, combined with his out and out daredevil style and his sensitivity, puts him in a category all his own, above all others in his field.
His every enunciation went straight into me. I knew not one word of Urdu, and somehow it still hooked me into the story that he weaved with his wordless voice. I remember my senses fully froze in order to feel melody after melody crash upon each other in waves of improvisation; with each line being repeated by the men in the chorus, restated again by the main soloists, and then Nusrat setting the whole bloody thing aflame with his rapid-fire scatting, turning classical Indian Solfeggio (Sa, Re, Gha, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) into a chaotic/manic birdsong. The phrase burst into a climax somewhere, with Nusrat’s upper register painting a melody that made my heart long to fly. The piece went on for fifteen minutes. I ate my heart out. My roommate just looked at me knowingly, muttering, “Nusrat…Fa-teh…A-li…Khaaan,” like he had just scored the wine of the century. I felt a rush of adrenaline in my chest, like I was on the edge of a cliff, wondering when I would jump and how well the ocean would catch me: two questions that would never be answered until I experienced the first leap. “
– Jeff Buckley on NFAK
I have been itching to write something about Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for more than a year now but couldn’t find the right words to pen down my thoughts. I began listening to Nusrat around 2 years ago after stumbling upon one of my friend’s collection of his music. He had something around 2GB of his performances on his laptop which literally blew my mind. Since then, his qawwalis have been an integral part of my life, initially helping me through some tough times, and over the time getting to the point where now it’s really the only music I listen to! ( (I now proudly own around 40GB just of his Live performances 🙂 )
The sad part is that the audience for NFAK and Sufi music, in general, is declining rapidly. I will try to explore in this blog series, Nusrat’s best performances, one song at a time so that people who are genuinely interested could at least take a dip into the vast ocean of Sufi music!
I’ll start with a song by NFAK that probably has his most live performances available on the internet, every single one clearly distinguishable from the other in spite of having the exact same lyrics and tune. The song has ample scope of variations in the 30 odd minute performance, something which Nusrat willingly exploited leaving behind some gems for us to listen to.
“Ni main jaana jogi de naal” was written by Bulleh Shah, a 17th century Sufi poet. Like all his poems, he writes about his relationship with the lord as that one between two lovers. The poem, later sung by countless singers including NFAK is about the extreme yearning and desire one has to meet his ‘Jogi’. The word ‘Jogi’ can mean the almighty or one’s beloved as one wishes to interpret. The lyrics are extremely well written but it was Nusrat who took it to an entirely different level. ‘Jogi de Naal’ has been in Nusrats arsenal since his very early performances. The main body of the Qawaali starts somewhere after 1/3rd of the performance length is done (Around 10-minute mark in a 30-minute Qawaali) and the pace keeps on building after that. Towards the end, Nusrat, like a magician used to bring out ‘Ankhiyan Udeek Diyan’ which never failed to bring the audience into a state of frenzy.
Slightly digressing from the original topic, I’d like to talk a bit about Sufi Music. If you look at it though, “Bringing the audience into a state of frenzy” is what Sufi music is all about. The Qawwali is supposed to be the messenger who leaps empty-handed into the abyss and returns carrying messages of love from the Beloved (Allah). These messages have no words, per se, but at the high point of a Qawwali performance, they come in bursts of light into the hearts and minds of the members of the audience. This is called Marifat, the inner knowledge, and it is in the aim of the Qawwali tradition to bring the listener into this state: first through the beauty of the poetry and the weight of its meaning; then, eventually, through the Qawwali’s use of repetition; repeating the key phrases of the poem until the meaning has melted away to reveal the true form to the listener.
If you listen to Nusrat long enough, at times you’d find him in such a trance while singing that you’d be sure that the world does not exist for him any longer. The effect it has is gorgeous. These men do not play music, they are the music itself.
So, enjoy the performances linked below and check out the lyrics with translation provided if you face any trouble understanding!
1) Makkeh gaya gal mukde naheen
2) Pawain so so jummay parrh aeey
Going to Makkah is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of prayers are offered
3) Ganga gaya gal mukde naheen
4) Pawain so so gotey khaeey
Going to River Ganges is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of cleansing (Baptisms) are done
5) Gaya gaya gal mukde naheen
6) Pawain so so pand parrhaeey
Going to Gaya is not the ultimate
Even if hundreds of worships are done
7) Bulleh Shah gal taeyon mukdee
8 ) Jadon May nu dilon gawaeey
Bulleh Shah the ultimate is
When the “I” is removed from the heart
9) Parrh parrh alam fazal hoya
10) Kadee apnay aap nu parrhaya ye naeen
[He] Read a lot and became a scholar
But [he] never read himself
11) Ja ja warrda mandir maseetey
12) Kadi man apnay which warrya ye naeen
[He] goes enters into the temple & mosque
But [he] never entered into his own heart
13) Aewaien roz shaitan naal larrdaan
14) Kadee nafs apnay naal larrya ye naeen
He fights with the devil every day for nothing
He never wrestled with his own ego
15) Bulleh Shah asmani udeeyan pharrda
16) Jayrra ghar baitha onu pharrya ye naeen
Bulleh Shah he grabs for heavenly flying things
But doesn’t grasp the one who’s sitting at home
17) Ratee jagayn tay shaikh sada wayn
18) Parr raat nu jaagan kutay, tay to utay
Religious scholars stay awake at night
But dogs stay awake at night, higher than you
19) Ratee bhonkon bass na karday
20) Fayr ja larraa which sutay, tay to utay
They don’t cease from barking at night
Then they go sleep in yards, higher than you
21) Yaar da buha mool na chhad-dey
22) Pawain maro so so jutay, tay to utay
They [dogs] don’t leave the beloved’s doorstep
Even if they’re beaten hundreds of times, higher than you
23) Bulleh Shah utth yaar mana lay
24) Naien tay bazi lay gaay kutay, tay to utay
Bulleh Shah get up and make up with the beloved
Otherwise dogs will win the contest, better than you
25) Raanjha chaak na aakho kurryo
26) Nee aynu chaak kehndee sharmawan
O friends, don’t call Ranjha a shepherd
I shy away from calling him a shepherd
27) May jaee aan lakh heeraan iss nu
28) Tay may kiss gintee which aawan
I am like a thousand Heers to him
Who am I, like countless others
29) Takht hazaray da eh malik
30) Tay may Heer sayal sada waan
He’s the ruler of Hazara’s throne
And I am forever the plain Heer
31) Bulleh Shah Rub kook sunay
32) Tay may chaak dee chaak ho jawan
Bulleh Shah may God hear my wail
And I’ll become shepherded by the Shepherd
33) Raanjha jogi aa ban aya
34) Aey ney anokha bhayche wataya
Ranjha became a Jogi and arrived
He exchanged into a unique disguise
35) Ahdo-n Ahmad naam dharaya
36) Nee may jana Jogi dey naal
He changed his name from Ahad (One God) to Ahmad (Prophet Mohammad PBUH)
I’m going together with Jogi
37) Koi kissay day naal koi kissay day naal
38) May jogi day naal naal
Someone’s with someone else, this one’s with that one
I’m together with Jogi
39) Jidoon dee may jogi dee hoyee
40) May which may na reh gayee koi
Since I have become Jogi’s
I have no “I” left in me
41) Ranjha Ranjha kardee
42) Nee may aapay Ranjha hoee
Repeating Ranjha Ranjha
I became Ranjha myself
43) Sadyo nee maynu Peedo Ranjha
44) Heer na akho koi
Call me Ranjha
Nobody call me Heer
45) May naheen woh aap hay
46) Apney aap karay dil joi
It’s not me, it’s he himself
He amuses his own self
47) Jiss day naal may neun lagaya
48) Ohdey wargee hoye sayyon
The one with whom I connected my heart
I became just like him, O friends
49) Jogi meyrey naal naal
50) May jogi day naal naal
51) Nee may jana jogi day naal
Jogi is with me
I am with Jogi
I’m going together with Jogi
52) Kannee mundaran pa kay
53) Mathay tilak laga kay
After putting earrings in my ears
and decorating my forehead with Tilak
54) Nee aye jogi naeen
55) Koi roop hay Raab da
Hey he’s not [a] Jogi
He’s some form of God
56) Bhayce jogee da iss nu phab-da
57) Iss jogi mayra joorra khassya
He’s disguised as Jogi
This Jogi has attracted me
58) Aye jogi mayray munn which wasya
59) Such aakhan aye qasmay Quran ay
This Jogi has established residence in my heart
I swear by the Quran it’s true
60) Jogi mayra deen eman ay
61) Iss jogi maynu keeta rogee
Jogi is my belief and faith
This Jogi has marked me
62) Nee may iss jogi
63) Hun hore na jogee
Hey I belong to him
Now I’m not worth any one else (Now there’s no other Jogi)
64) Tarr gaye way may tarr gayee loko
65) Akh jogi nal larr gaye loko
I’m floating, I’ve drifted across, O people
My eyes inter-meshed with Jogi’s, O people
66) Maynu jogan jogee dee aakho
67) Heer salayte mar gaye loko
Call me Jogi’s female Jogi
Heer is dead, O people
68) Khayrray karday koorriyan gallan
69) Jogi dey mayrrhay may cir tay jhallan
In Khayrray they have deep talks
I have to listen to accusations about
70) Hore kissay nu kuj na janan
71) Janan tay jogi nu janan
I don’t know anything about anyone else
If I know anything, I only know Jogi
72) Iss da paya kissay na paya
73) Iss da hay do jug uttay saya
No one has attained what he has attained
His shadow is on both worlds
74) Iss diyan dhumman do jug dhummiyan
75) Iss diyan juttian arsh nay chummian
His fame is celebrated in both world
His shoes were kissed by Heaven
76) Aye jogi jogi mat wala
77) Hath which Ill’Allah dee mala
This Jogi is full of wonders
In his hand is the rosary of “There is Nothing But One God”
78) Nee naam hay iss da kamli wala
79) Jay jogi ghar away mayray
Hey, his name is [Mohammad] “The One With The Shawl”
If Jogi comes to my home
80) Muk jawun sub jhagray tayray
81) Nee may lavan seenay naal
82) Lakhan shagan mana kay
All your fights will end
I will embrace him
And celebrate a million praises
83) Bulleh Shah ik jogi aya
84) Dar saday aynay dhuan paya
Bulleh Shah a Jogi came To our door….(… ?… )
85) Aynay lut layee Heer sayal
86) Aya bhayce wata kay
He stole away Heer of Sayal
He came in a disguise
Here are the top 5 NFAK performances of “Jogi de Naal” as per me!
Birmingham (1979) : Though the audio quality is poor as compared to the other 4 performances but this performance holds a very special place in my heart for two reasons. First is the sargam form 32:16 – 34:06 – this is the very best a qawaali can get. Second is the extra elaborate introduction to the main body of the song which starts at 12:30 mark.
UK (1988): The way the pace builds up in this performance is amazing. The audio quality is very good too!
Paris (1988): This is the famous Paris concert of 1988 which I want to talk about in detail here. This Concert performance of NFAK was nothing less than ” The First Contact” of the French audience present in the crowd with Music of “Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan”. When coming out of the concert, most of them felt deeply moved or even transported to different reality (as they themselves reported), the last two hours were imprinted on their lives forever…. NFAK was in his best improvisation mood that day, placed in front of an almost French crowd, who he knew wouldn’t understand a word he utters, sargams and fireworks were the best he could do, and it led to some of the best improvisations ever. The song selection was perfect, the afternoon Concert opened up “Ankh beparwaah naal lagi luk luk rona pai gaya” ( I Fell in Love with a Heartless Man, and Was Forced to Weep in Secret). Nusrat had to engage the audience, so within minutes of his performance, he jumped into fireworks, this time more powerful (and maybe more rock n roll, his aim was to make french relate their music to his music). Second song “Nee Mai Jana Jogi De Naal” (O, I will leave with the Yogi) showcased NFAK’s understanding of Music, he changed and played with melodies throughout the song and the improvisation was out of the world music this time ( Initially NFAK took time to think what he exactly wanted to do, and what he did, I don’t think even he knew that it was Quintessence of human singing).. he kept going on and on … Another great masterpiece came in “Ya Mustafa Noor ul Huda, Sani tera Koi Nahi”, It was sang with traditional Qawwali basics fused with a great improvisation that can literally give you Goose bumps….
Unknown Year!: This has to be from sometime around 1990 based on my experience. The setting is perfect with the audience in front enjoying a first-hand account of Nusrat’s genius.
Southall (1983): This is the longest performance among the ones listed above which automatically implies more scope of variations and sargams. So, sit back and enjoy!
