“Faraib-e-Nazar Hai Sakoon-o-Sabaat
Tarapta Hai Har Zarra-e-Kainat
Theherta Nahin Karwaan-e-Wujood
Ke Har Lehza Hai Taza Shaan-e-Wujood
Samajhta Hai Tu Raaz Hai Zindagi
Faqat Zauq-e-Parwaaz Hai Zindagi”

Roughly translated…

Perpetual stability is a deception of our eyes
For every particle in this world restlessly vibrates with change
The caravan of life does not stop to catch a breath
For in every moment, the journey of existence rejuvenates itself
You may think of this life as a mystery
Whereas life is merely your desires taking flight

“Aankh uthi mohabbat ne angrai li
Dil ka sauda hua chaandni raat mein
Unki nazron ne kuch aisa jadoo kiya
Loot gaye hum to pehli mulaqat mein”

Roughly translated…

“She lifted her eyes, and deep inside me
Love was aroused from its slumber
Our hearts were fatefully exchanged
In that beautiful moonlight bathed night

Her long gaze had some magical aura
That I did not quite understand; but this much I know
I was completely and truly robbed
In that very first meeting we ever had”

“The Bottle is Open,
The drink in the glass is dancing to it”

Raat Hai Mahtaab Hai Saqi
Sara Mausam Sharab Hai Saqi
Baz Lamhaat Aise Hote Hain
Jin Mein Peena Sawaab Hai Saqi

Somebody with a better understanding of Arabic and Urdu has to help me

’tis night now, ’tis moonlight now
The whole ambience is intoxicated
Every moment feels like where
Drinking is a reward unto itself

This particular rendition is by Ghulam Ali.

“saki sharaab la ki tabiyat udaas hai
mutrib rubab utha ki tabiat udaas hai
hai husn ka fusoon bhi ilaj-e-fasurdagi
rukh se naqab utha ki tabiyat udaas hai”

Before I attempt to explain…
Some background about the poet: Pakistan born, employed by the Indian Army, served in Iran and Iraq during the second World War, took to heavy drinking after seeing the violence of the War

Also “saki” refers to the lady who serves you the drink at the tavern

Now my attempt to explain a language that I have only a fleeting exposure to…

“Saki, please bring the wine: for I feel depressed today
Musician, please pick up your instrument: for I feel depressed today
The charm in your beauty is the only medicine for my distress
Please lift your veil, my love: for I feel depressed today”

First time I heard this song was about 20 years back. I was mesmerized by the tune as well the voice of the singer. Initially, I had the impression that this was a Kashmiri song. Much later I realized that the language is mostly Punjabi with some mixture of Dogri words, I believe. The voice of Hadiqa Kiani – from Pakistan – is absolutely sterling. The depth of her voice as well as her ability to move thru the notes is captivating. I will be remiss if I did not mention that the use of flute in this song is wonderful. The flute is the most appropriate instrument to emphasize the melancholic tune.

“Boohey barian
Ena lee kanda tap key,
Awa gi hawa ban key,
Boohey barian… hayee,
Boohey barian

Chand charayaan tey,
Saray looki pey takday,
Dongay paniyaan chey fer,
Deeway pae jalday”

I am not sure of all the words… but I believe she is referring to doors and the windows in the first sentence and telling her lover to come thru doors, windows and walls. Waft in like the wind to my presence, I believe is what she is saying. The last part is completely beyond me. I know Chand means moon. Is Dongay a boat? Paniyaan is water, I am fairly sure. I will leave you to reconstruct the meaning in your imagination…

Maybe somebody who understands Punjabi or Dogri can help out?

My friend Stephen and I were having an email exchange (about his passion and such). He reminded me of a couple of Tolkien’s stanzas that I had almost forgotten… Wonderful words…

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”

This used to be a favorite song of my mom. Perhaps the only Hindi song she would sit down and listen to. The poet was Indivar and the version my mom would listen to was rendered by Jagjit Singh. She never understood the words (Hindi was not her mother tongue) but the song has a lilting tune that can captivate anybody…

My favorite stanza:

“Jag ne chhinaa mujh se, mujhe jo bhi lagaa pyaraa
Sab jeetaa kiye mujh se, main har pal hi haaraa
Tum haar ke dil apna, meree jeet amar kar do”

Roughly translated…

“The world has snatched from me whatever I found love for
Everybody won against me; I lost every single time
This one time, you lose your heart to me and make my win immortal”

(sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan)

“Agar’che kisi baat par woh khafa hain

To achha yehi hai tum apni si kar lo

Woh maaney ya na manaey yeh marzi hai unki

Magar un ko purnam manaa kar to dekho”

Roughly translated (improvements welcome)

She seems to be upset about something
Perhaps it is best to just move on
It is up to her whether to accept me or not
But please try to convince her with all your passion

There is a clever play on the word “purnam” in the end. The last line can mean – try with your “full” force to convince OR try to convince her about “Purnam” – which was the name of the poet. In the old days in that part of the subcontinent, poets often embedded their names in their poems – in a form of copyright protection!

“Tu mileya te mil gayi khudayi ve
Hath jod akhaan payee na judaayi ve
Mar javangi je akh mein tho pheri
Dua na koi hor mangdi”

Somebody with a better grip on Punjabi needs to help me with the translation but I believe what the words mean are

I found my God when I found you
I now pray with folded hands that we be never separated
I will die if you ever take your eyes off me
I have no other prayer (than you)

“Chokher aloy dekhechilem
Chokher bahire
Ontore aaj dekhbo
Jokhon alok nahi re”

With the light of my eyes
I had seen the world outside
Today I am going to look within
Now that there is no light around