Gopike - Nandanam

Gopike – Nandanam

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Gireesh Puthencherry

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude – The song “ Gopike “ from the film Nandanam is like the heartache of everybody who has experienced love . This song comes when Balamani , the character played by Navya Nair, faces impediments in uniting with the love of her life ,Manu, the character played by Prithviraj Sukumaran . The raag “ Megh “, on which the song is set,is like drenching oneself in sorrow in the incessant rainfall of grief .

Gopike hridayam our venshanku pole

Oh maiden of Vrindavan – Your heart is like a white conch shell which produces a meditative and soothing sound

Thira vyadhakalil vingunuvvo

Your heart sobs in unending worries

Eatho vishadmam snehadra sagaram

Uruki ninte karalil

An unknown grief, wet by the water of the loving ocean, melts in your heart .

Eatho vibhatam padum sopanam ganam pole

Your dawn sings a song just like the “ Sopana sangeetham “  ( songs sung standing on the steps leading to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple )

Gandharva hridayam meetum hindola ragam pole

The “ Hindol “ raga is plucked by the heart of the celestial singer in heaven. 

Pranadrdamayi nin manasam

Your heart melts in love .

Oru poorna chandrodayam kadaline alamalaye

Punarunna pole swayam marunnu

You forgot yourself in love as the full moon embraced the waves in the ocean.

Dhyanichu nilkkum poovin kanal minnal elkkum ravil

The flower meditating on the smouldering embers was hit by the lightning in the night

Ganam churathhum nenjin mridu tantri takarum novil

Ekanthamayi nin sreelakam

The sanctum sanctorum of your prayer room becomes desolate just like the grief when the tender strings producing the song in the lute of the heart break .

Oru swarna deepankuram kattinte neduvirpinal pidyunna pole

Swayam polinnnuvo

Did you burn yourself down in sorrow just like the golden flame flickers in the presence of the sighs of the breeze ?

Postlude – The song is an ode to the pangs of separation of Goddess Radha, who burns herself in the fire of her heart due to separation from Lord Krishna . She spends most of her time meditating in her love for Lord Krishna, wandering in the groves of Vrindavan . The first line of the song compares the heart of the heroine to that of a conch shell, which produces a soothing and meditative sound on mildly blowing it . The lyricist mentions the Hindol raga, in which the word “ Hindol “ refers to the swing . Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha were rocked in the swing by their maiden friends infinite times during the monsoon season during their amorous pastimes in Vrindavan . The dawn is said to sing “ Sopana sangeetham “ which refers to raag Hindol being a morning raga . Raag Hindol personifies the beauty and the love felt by Lord Krishna for the maidens of Vrindavan . The second stanza compares Goddess Radha to a flower standing on smouldering embers and meditating in contemplation in her love for “ Shyamsundar Krishna “ . Goddess Radha is said to burn in sorrow like the flame of a lamp . 

Sreela Vasantham - Nandanam

Sreela Vasantham – Nandanam

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Girish Puthenchery

Singer – KJ Yesudas

Prelude – The song “ Srila Vasantham “ from 2002 movie Nandanam has captivated my imagination due to its sprightful melody set in raag “ Yaman Kalyan “ . It’s a vibrant song which showcases the nuances of the dance of divine love between the couple Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha . Composer Raveendran has brought different hues of raag Yaman Kalyan with its vigour and vibrancy analogous to the dance steps of the maidens of Vrindavan and Lord Krishna .

Srila vasantham pili uzhinnu

Mathurayil pournami ayi

When the auspicious spring strokes the peacock feather , a full moon rises in Mathura.

Gopi hridayam tharilathamayi

Gopi's ( cowherd maiden ) heart trembles in Vrindavan  ( grove of holy basil plants)

Madhava sangamam ayi

Radha Madhava sangamam ayi

The union of Goddess Radha and Lord Krishna takes place .

 

Nin neela kannil nanam mashi ezhuthum yamam

Ee mayakannan neeyam madhu nukarum neram

Oh Goddess Radha ! – The shyness applies collyrium in your eyes in the night . The illusionary Lord Krishna kisses your honeyed lips .

Akasha kadambil viriyum our nakshatra kurunnum

The small star blooms above the burflower tree , spreading in the sky.

Yamuna yile neer ola parappil

Theliyum our ra thinkal thidambum

The moon's reflection glimmers upon the Yamuna,like the temple deity carried in procession.The reflection of the moon, which is like the replica of the deity taken out during festivals and everyday rituals of the temple, appears in the expanse of the Yamuna river's water. 

Shruti murukum amrita sangeeta layavum onnavum

Athiya rasoltsavam

There is immense joy in the dance of divine love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha as the musical pitch gets tightened . The nectarean music embraces the rhythm,  and they become  one . 

 

Ee sandhya ragam kattin chirakaniyum yamam

Ee venna Kannan ninnil veen aliyum neram

Oh Goddess Radha ! – This is the night when the evening melody develops wings of air . This is the time when the butter thief Lord Krishna lays his forehead on your lap and melts in your embraces .

Nin pattin swarangal

Manasil our then vandayi parannum

Oh Lord Krishna ! - The notes of your song fly like bees drinking nectar.

Pranayalaya sindhuram nukarnum

The rhythm of your music kisses the vermillion in my forehead

Muralikayil anandam thirannum

I search for joy in the music of your flute. 

Rasa bharita sugandha sammoha

Vasantha magantam ananda maroltsavam

The dance of divine love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha is filled with the fragrance of nectarean flowers and is enchanting . It is filled with joy and splendour just like the festival of Kamadev( the god of desire and love )  when he strikes nature with arrows made of flowers from the sugarcane bow in the spring season when mango trees are in full bloom . 

Postlude – The amorous pastimes of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha have enthralled poets and minstrels since time immemorial . The songs and poems written about the divine dance of love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha are infinite,  each unmatched in beauty to the other . Lyricist Gireesh Puthencherry brings a song as colourful as the spring from his repertoire of words . The first stanza brings out one of the pastimes of Lord Krishna and maidens of Vrindavan when they splash water against each other in the river of Yamuna . The second stanza describes how the spring season synchronises with the festival of colours “ Holi “ when the squirt gun of Lord Krishna sprays water into millions of streams filled with vermillion , pollen powder , camphor , musk ,etc., at the maidens of Vrindavan . The lyricist speaks of the spring season as the festival of Kamadev ( god of desire and love )when he strikes  nature with his arrows made of flowers from the sugarcane bow to set the stage for the dance of divine love between Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha .

Varmukile Vanil Nee - Mazha

Varmukile Vanil Nee – Mazha

Composition – Raveendran

Lyrics – Yusuf Ali Kecheri

Singer – KS Chitra

Prelude – The song “ Varmukile Vanil Nee “ , composed in raag Jog, describes the pangs of separation of Bhadra from Ramanuja Shastrigal,  played by Samyuktha Varma and Biju Menon, respectively,  in the film “ Mazha “ . This song is directly taken from the story of the separation of Goddess Radha from Lord Krishna due to the curse from Sridama, who was the guard of the chamber of Lord Krishna in Goloka ( abode of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha ) . 

Varmukile vanil nee vannu ninnal

Ormakalil shyama varnan

When the beautiful cloud comes in the sky , the dark- hued “ Shyamasundar “ ( Lord Krishna ) appears in my memories.

Kaliyadi nilkkum kadanam nirayum

The divine dance has stopped, and my heart is filled with grief.

Yamuna nadiyay mizhi neer vazhiyum

The course of the river Yamuna has its gurgling water made of my tear drops.

 

Pandu ninne kand nalil pili nirthi manasam

The time I beheld you in the past , my heart spread like a peacock feather .

Mandahasam chandanam ayi

Hridaya ramana

Oh lover !  , charming and pleasing to the heart – My gentle smile has cooled like sandalwood paste .

Innante vaniyil kozhinnu pushpangal jeevante thalangal

The flowers which shed from the branches in my garden are like the beats in the music of life .

 

Annu nee en munnil vannu poovaninju jeevitham

My life bloomed like a flower when you came in front of me.

Thenkinakal nandanamayi

Nalina nayana

Oh lover whose eyes are like lotus ! – My honeyed dreams have become like the divine garden of heaven .

Pranayama viraham niranja vazvil porumo veendum ?

Will you come back to this life filled with love and separation ?

Postlude – This story of film “ Mazha “,based on “ Nashtapetta Nilambari “ by eminent writer Kamala Das, is a tribute to the mythological story of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha and their separation of 100 years . In this film, just like Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha got separated , Bhadra and Ramanuja Shastrigal get separated due to opposition from Bhadra’s parents to their alliance . Just like Goddess Radha had to marry Abhimanyu even though her eternal love was Lord Krishna , here Bhadra had to marry a software engineer, Chandran ( played by Lal ) according to her parents’ wishes . Just like Goddess Radha pines for Lord Krishna , here Bhadra remembers Ramanuja Shastrigal , her first love . The lyricist Yusuf Ali Kecheri had done justice to the song by bringing the themes of the Braj Bhoomi ( land on the banks of river Yamuna ) like the flowing of the river Yamuna , the divine dance of love , the pleasure gardens of Vrindavan ( Grove of basil plant ) . This is a song to look out for those who want to immerse themselves in the divine love of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha . 

Padayatra - Job Kurien and Harish Sivaramakrishnan

Padayatra – Job Kurien and Harish Sivaramakrishnan

Composition – Job Kurien

Lyrics - Engadiyoor Chandrasekharan

Singers - – Job Kurien and Harish Sivaramakrishnan

 

Prelude – The song “ Padayatra “ by Job Kurien is a dedication to his friend Ajay, who went on a journey to the Himalayan mountain ranges searching for the divine and uniting with the supreme soul, leaving the past .

Ennile chudu thalamayi our yathrayi padayathrayi

A beat ignites in my heart . I start a journey on foot .

Gathakalame kulir ormayi our yathrayi padayathrayi

The times that have passed by come as memories cooling my heart .

Parayan maranna vakumayi manatharil arida

Who has come in my flower- like heart to speak what has been left unsaid ? 

Nira deepame kinavu pol enn kannil ekuvan

You give my eyes the sight of the lamp's light burning brightly like a dream.

Nizhal pole , azhal ale , vel nile padayatra

I am accompanied by my shadow , burning heat  and salubrious rays of the sun on my journey.

 

Kalam arivukalale , alivukalale , poo mazha pole

Time with its knowledge and mercy outpours on earth like rain laden with flowers. 

Mannil nila nilavin ponalayale nadalayangal

The earth is lit by the blue moonlight .The golden waves of the ocean create a rhythm of music . 

Varadayakamayi swarasagaramayi

I am being blessed by the ocean of notes of music. 

Janimokshamavumayi puthu jeevanumayi

I have been released from the cycle of death and rebirth, and I awaken to new life . It means my soul has united with the divine .

Nizhal pole , azhal ale , vel nile padayatra

I am accompanied by my shadow , burning heat and salubrious rays of the sun on my journey

Postlude – The first stanza of the song describes the journey on foot to the Himalayan mountain ranges by Ajay ( singer’s friend ) . As he starts his journey , the memories of the time gone by appear in front of his eyes . The unspoken words of those people who wanted to speak to him appear in his heart . He is only accompanied by his shadow , the gurgling rivers that he passes by and the sunlight . Based on the theme of karma ,time with its knowledge of the deeds of humans in their past lives grants them happiness , sorrow and benevolence in the current life . Ajay happens to be a singer or a musician who is blessed by the goddess of performing arts with the knowledge of music , melody , rhythm and beats in this current life . Finally, as he reaches his destination,  he leaves his current life and unites with the divine . This song speaks about liberating oneself from materialistic desires and spiritually uniting with the supreme soul, which is the ultimate goal of human life .  

Kalam - Job Kurien

Kalam – Job Kurien

Composition – Job Kurien

Lyrics – Engadiyoor Chandrasekharan

Singer – Job Kurien

Prelude – The song “ Kalam “ by Job Kurien is a haunting melody which is a tribute to his great- grand aunt, who led a respectful and dignified life being a spinster in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, which was a tough decision to make at that point of time . She was a teacher and toiled hard in the land to grow crops . Half of the fortune she had was given to charity, and the other half was passed on to her kith and kin . This song is picturised on the theme of the spirit of the great-grand aunt who comes to visit the home which the singer had built on the land which was passed on to him from her through his father . The singer shows his respect to his great grand aunt and welcomes her into his home to show that her riches were taken care of with love and the singer has immense respect towards her . 

Kalam

Kalam pon poovin kalam

Season, season of the spring with golden blossoms . 

En nejin eenam thedunith are

I don’t know whom the tune in my heart searches for.

Elelam padanai varavai mayathe oro janmangal bandangal nirvale

Various lifetimes and relationships come abound unerased to sing together.

En kannil parunnoru alayale teliyunne etho nalangal thalangal nirayale

Rising waves ,  flames and beats of music are formed in a line before my eyes.

En jeeva nalam ennile nalam alunu nile kannun en chare

The flame of my soul , the flame of my life, burns bright and is seen near me .

 

Kalam pon poovin kalam

Season, season of the spring of golden blossoms.

En nejin eenam thedunith are

I don’t know whom the tune in my heart searches for

Mele mukil adum nerath niram ezhum manath kanavellam cheloth

The dreams are nearby when the cloud swings and the rainbow shines in the sky.

Ariyathen athmavil aliyunne

Marayathen akathalril theliyunne

You unknowingly  melt in my heart .You shine , undying , deep within my mind.

Ariyathen athmavil aliyunne

Oro tarayum nerayum theliyunne

You unknowingly melt in my heart . You show me the honest way to lead life and to differentiate between what is right and wrong .

Postlude – The song “ Kalam “ is a celebration of relationships, which are primary for the well -being of any human being . The first stanza of the song reminisces about the various relationships and lifetimes which pass with the seasons of time . The rising waves and the igniting flames are compared to the heartbeat of the singer . The singer is indebted to his ancestors with whom he shares the relationship of blood,  and he senses their presence near him always . The second stanza of the song shows how the singer is indebted to his ancestors for instilling good values in him and showing him the right way to lead life by setting a high benchmark with the way they led their lives during their lifetimes . 

Ab Ke Hum Bichde - Mehdi Hassan

Ab Ke Hum Bichde – Mehdi Hassan

Composition – Mehdi Hassan

Lyrics – Ahmed Faraz

Singer – Mehdi Hassan 

Prelude – “ Ab Ke Hum Bichde “ is a poem penned by Ahmed Faraz and sung by ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan . “ Raag Bhupeshwari “ to which the song is set,  brings out the pangs of separation of the lover from the beloved . As the withered flowers inside the pages of a book are a testimony to the saccharine feeling of love when they were in full bloom and full of life , this song brings out the lamentation of the beloved in memories of the past . 

Ab he hum bichde to shayad khwabon main mile

Jis tarah sukhe hue phul kitabon main mile

Now that we have parted,maybe we will meet in dreams, just like how wilted flowers meet inside the pages of books .

 

Dhoondh ujde hue logon main wafa ke moti

Yeh khazane tujhe mumkin hain kharabon main mile

Search for pearls of loyalty among the miserable and dejected people   . You are likely to find this treasure in ruins.

 

Gham- ye – duniya bhi gham-e – yar main shamil kar lo

Nasha badhta hain sharaben jo sharabon main mile

The intoxication of the wine deepens with each glass of wine, just like the grief of the world is added to the grief of separation from the beloved .

 

Tu khuda hain na mira ishq farishton jaisa

Donon insan hai toh kyuun itne hijaboon main mile .

You are neither God nor my love, like that of the angels . If we both are humans , why do we have to meet each other in veils of secrecy ?

 

Ab na vo main na woh tu hai na vo maazi hai “ faraz “

Jaise do shaks tamanna ke sarabon men milen .

Oh Faraz ! Neither you nor I remain the same . It is not like the times of the past .  It’s like two people meet in the mirage of their desires .

Postlude – The emotive poetry by “ Ahmad Faraz “ in the silhouette of ethereal singing by Mehdi Hassan in “ Raag Bhupeshwari “ brings out the yearning of the lover . From the words of the poetry, it seems like two people who have fallen in love amidst class differences . Due to the resistance from the family of the beloved , the couple had to part ways . Now that they have parted ways, the only possibility for the lover to meet the beloved is in dreams,  just like the withered flowers which meet inside the pages of the book . Red roses have always symbolised love and are usually kept as a souvenir by the lovers inside books as a memory to cherish . 

The lyricist speaks of how fidelity and faithfulness in relationships are found in the unlikeliest of the places, as the lover belongs to a low class of society . The third couplet describes how the world causes grief every day to the lover ,which, along with his separation from the beloved , multiplies the sorrow by leaps and bounds .The lover resorts to drinking to forget his sorrows and is in an inebriated state after drinking wine, one glass after the other .   In the fourth couplet , the lover questions the norms of the society where the lover is barred from meeting the beloved . The meeting between a male and a female was resisted by elders in olden times,  as it was considered against the modesty of a woman to mingle with a man. Men and women were generally segregated into groups considering the safety factor of women . The lyricist questions such strict standards of the society as to why he should meet his beloved in secrecy when they both are not exalted like the God and the angels . 

The fifth couplet tells how the lover and his beloved have undergone changes to the different experiences of life . Their present reflects and is a result of their past experiences . The lover feels like their whole union is just like two people meeting in an illusion of desires . The lyricist wants to convey that there can be plenty of desires in people, but one cannot guarantee that all of them get fulfilled . The lover has lost his hope of uniting with his beloved . The song is really an ode to all the star-crossed lovers who had dreamt of a happily ever after that turned into nights nursing the mental wounds of separation and heartache . 

Bhooli Bisri Chand Umeedein - Mehdi Hassan

Bhooli Bisri Chand Ummedein – Mehdi Hassan

Composition – Mehdi Hassan

Lyrics – Razi Tirmizi

Singer – Mehdi Hassan 

Prelude – The song “ Bhooli Bisri Chand Umeedein “ is a dulcet melody which has captivated me since the time it was performed by Shuja Haider and Aima Baig in Coke Studio Pakistan . It was only recently I came to know the original song was sung by ghazal maestro Mehdi Hassan Saheb . The lyrics are penned by Razi Tirmizi . 

Bhooli bisri chand ummedein

Chand fasane yaad aye

I remembered a few hopes and tales from the past .

Tum yaad aye

Aur tumhare saath zamane yaad aye

I remembered you and the times spent with you .

 

Dil ka chaman shadab tha

Phir bhi khaak si udti rehti thi

The garden of my heart was verdant with greenery, yet the dust of withered petals drifted in the air . 

Kaise zamane e gham e jana

Tere bahane yaad aye

I remembered all the moments of grief of the past because of you.

 

Hasne walon se darte they

I feared people who laughed at me . 

Chup chup kar ro lete they

I used to cry in silence.

Gehri gehri soch main doobe

Do deewane yaad aye

I remembered two lovers who were immersed in deep thoughts .

 

Thandi sard hawa ke jhonke

Aag lagakar chod gaye

The cold mild blow of air left, igniting a fire in mind.

Phool khile shakon pe naye

Aur dard purane yaad aye

Flowers bloomed upon the boughs, and I remembered the old wounds .

Postlude – I tried to travel through the mind of the lyricist, and from what I could decipher , it’s the emotions of the lover who has got separated from the beloved . Love is a complex emotion, and there are only a few in the world who are able to work it through its ups and downs . The first line of the song explains how the emotion of love has its own expectations and desires . The lover reminisces about the moments the lover spent with his beloved . It is not always possible to fulfil all the expectations due to many constraints . In the beginning stages of love , the heart of the lover felt like a garden blooming with vibrant colours of flowers, and there was joy everywhere as he celebrated the feeling of love with nature . But at the same time there was the apprehensiveness of the unpredictability of love, like  the dust of wilted flowers blowing off in the air due to separation from the beloved. 

The lover remembered all the moments of grief felt when the beloved got separated from him . The separation of the beloved from the lover had such a drastic impact on him that he used to get scared when people used to mock and laugh at him in his state . He used to cry silently, dealing with his emotions alone . His plight made him remember about two lovers deeply immersed in thoughts, thinking of bringing their love to fruition and dreaming of a happily ever after . The cold blow of air ignited a fire in the mind of the lover as he recollected all his memories spent with his love . The blooming of the flowers in the boughs made the lover remember about the old wounds . The vicissitudes of nature bring myriad memories into the heart of the lover .  

Baat Karni Mujhe Mushkil - Mehdi Hassan

Baat karni mujhe mushkil – Mehdi Hassan

Composition – Mehdi Hassan

Lyrics – Bahadur Shah Zafar

Singer – Mehdi Hassan 

Prelude – The ghazal “ Baat Karni Mujhe Mushkil “ brings the breeze of the mountain in “ Raag Pahadi “ enthralling music lovers . The song was written by Mughal king Bahadur Shah Zafar who was also a poet . This ghazal by Mehdi Hassan Saheb takes one to a trance with its mellifluent melody . 

Baat karni muje mushkil kabhi aisi toh na thi

Jaisi ab hai teri mehfil kabhi aisi toh na thi

I feel difficult speaking to you - I was never like that  before . Your soiree is so elegant . It was never like that before .

 

Le gaya chin ke aaj kaun tera sabr-o-qarar

Beqarari tujhe aae dil kabhi aisi toh na thi

Oh heart ! Who has taken away your patience and calm ? The heart is restless .It was never like that before .

 

Unki ankhon ne khuda jaane kiya kya jaadu

Ki tabiyat miri maaeil kabhi aisi toh na thi

Only God knows what magic she has done to me with her eyes that I am attracted to it . It was never like that before .

 

Chasm-e – qaatil meri dushman thi hamesha lekin

Jaise ab ho gayi qaatil kabhi aisi toh na thi

The murderous,  intoxicating eyes were always my foes . But now I have been slain by the entrancing eyes of yours .It was never like that before .

 

Kya sabab tu jo bigdata ‘zafar’ se har bar

Khu teri hur- shamail kabhie aisi toh na thi

Oh beloved ! What is the reason that you get offended with Zafar every single time . Your attributes are like those a celestial nymph of exquisite beauty . It was never like that before .

Postlude – The lover speaks about the time when he  realises he is in love and compares it with the time he never felt such an emotion . The lover is feeling shy and nervous to talk to the beloved after he realizes he is in love with her . He starts feeling her soiree is resplendent as never before as he feels butterflies in his stomach . The heart of the lover is always anxious these days,  anticipating and thinking about the beloved every moment . The dazzling eyes of the beloved, which tell many unspoken  stories,  have captivated the lover . The lover says that the beloved behaves like a celestial nymph of unmatchable beauty,  and he doesn't know the reason why she gets offended with him every time after throwing tantrums . Bahadur Shah Zafar’s poem is a playful unspoken tete -e – tete between the lover and her beloved in their minds . 

Shola Hoon - Jagjit Singh

 

Shola Hoon – Echoes by Jagjit Singh

Composition – Jagjit Singh

Lyrics – Muzzafar Warsi

Singer – Jagjit Singh

Prelude – The raag “ Yaman Kalyan “ -based ghazal “ Shola Hoon “  from maestro Jagjit Singh is music to the ears . This song has enthralled ghazal lovers from time to time . I came across this song when I was searching for raag “ Yaman Kalyan “ songs on the internet . The lyrical word play by Muzzafar Warsi is a revelation in itself with hidden insights in the core of the song 

Shola hoon bhadakne ki guzaarish nahi karta

I am a flame , I don’t request to burn brighter.

Sacha muh se nikalta hai , koshish nahi karta

The truth comes out of my lips, though I don't make an effort for it .

 

Girti hui deewar ka hamdard hoon lekin

Chadte hue sooraj ki parastish nahi karta

I sympathise with the plight of the falling wall, yet I don’t worship the rising sun .

 

Maathe ke pasine ki mahek aye n ajis se

Who khun mere jism main gardish nahin karta

The odour of the sweat which doesn’t appear on my forehead - that blood doesn't circulate through my body. 

Hamdard-e-ehbaab se darta hun muzzafar

I fear , Muzaffar, the sympathy of friends and loved ones.

Main zakhm toh rakhta hoon , numaish nahin karta

I keep wounds in my heart,  though I don’t show it outwards .  

Postlude – I thought about this song multiple times when I played it but was able to decipher it after a long time . The first line of the song describes the ambitiousness and motivated nature of the lyricist in achieving his goals and grinding through daily life without giving up in times of adversity . The second line describes the ways of the world when everyone lies multiple times to survive and escape the contemptuousness of the society . They lie blatantly so that the society doesn’t judge them and paint a rosy picture of their life where everything is perfect . In this complex world of lies , truth comes out of the lyricist’s mouth,though he doesn’t try for it . It gives us a hint about the lyricist’s character,  where he is an odd one out among the majority of the people who follow the crowd . 

The second couplet is quite thoughtful, where the majority worship people in high echelons of society and superiors to be in their good books . This can be their knack to get benefits out of them and for selfish reasons to stride through life . But our lyricist is a person who sympathises with people in times of strife and hardships , but at the same time, he doesn’t worship or do sycophancy of elites and the establishment . He prefers to give respect to people based on their merit , quality , knowledge and talent . 

The third couplet tells us about the stress and strain which the lyricist undergoes in developing his skills through hard work  and sheer determination. It means if he doesn't attain his  goals through painful effort producing sweat , it is not a part of his life force, which is blood.  The fourth couplet speaks about how the lyricist keeps his wounds and hurt in his heart rather than sharing it with friends and displaying his emotions . He believes in keeping one’s wounds in one’s own heart rather than expecting sympathy from others by sharing them which doesn’t help us in any way in healing . He prefers time to heal his wounds rather than humans . This ghazal acts as a driving force for those who find themselves at odds with society in following a path not followed by the majority . The lyricist motivates us to follow our own unique path to achieve our goals even though it may take time, but at last we will find our feet in this long journey of life . 

Pyar Ka Jazba - Ahmed Hussain and Mohammed Hussain

 

Pyar Ka Jazma Naya Rang Dikha Deta Hai - Shaam-e-Ghazal 

Composition – Ahmed Hussain , Mohammed Hussain

Lyrics – Mohammed Usman Arif Naqshbandi

Singers – Ahmed Hussain , Mohammed Hussain

Prelude – The song “ Pyar Ka Jazba “ is a gift from the musical duo of the Hussain brothers , Ahmed Hussain and Mohammed Hussain, to music lovers across the world . I came across this song accidentally on You Tube and was immediately drawn to the song . The lyrics are by Mohammad Usman Arif Naqshbandi, which explore the theme of love . 

Pyar ka jazba naya rang dikha deta hain

The passion of love reveals new colours everywhere.

Ajnabi chehre to mehboob bana deta hain

It turns the face of the stranger into that of a beloved. 

 

Mausam- e- gul heen nahin phoolon ka tohfa – e-dosth

The season of spring is not only a vagary of nature but also a friendly gift of a bouquet of flowers.

Mausam-e -gul kabhi kante bhi bicha deta hain

Sometimes the spring season also spreads a carpet of thorns in the way.

Ajnabi chere to mehboob bana deta hain

Pyar ka jazba

 

Apne chehre ke kise daag nazar aate hain

Who notices the blemish on one's own face?

Waqt har shaqs ko aaina dikha deta hain

Time shows the mirror to everyone.

Ajnabi chere to mehboob bana deta hain

Pyar ka jazba

 

Shab ki tanhai ke sannate main aksar koi  

Dil ki dhadkan pe tera geet suna deta hain

In the stillness of night's solitude , often one hears your song in the heartbeat .

Ajnabi chere to mehboob bana deta hain

Pyar ka jazba

Postlude – The starting line of the song by the lyricist strikes a chord with the listeners when the love in the nascent age brings colour to our lives and there is splendour everywhere around . The lines describe how a face unknown to us till this time suddenly changes to that of the lover in no time . 

The second stanza describes the pleasure and pain of being in love . Love brings along with it a bouquet of flowers,  just like the gift of the spring season spreading exuberance everywhere . At the same time it brings along with it impediments , uncertainties and turmoils in the form of thorns . The lyricist has used the flower and its parts to describe the emotions in the mélange of love . 

The third stanza goes in a philosophical way, speaking about how the people of the society, instead of looking at flaws in their own character, rejoice by blaming others . But time shows the mirror to everyone as destiny teaches a lesson to everyone for their vanity and ego . I think this stanza means how the people in love are looked down upon by society for going against its mores .The third stanza shows the grief that separation from the beloved brings to the lover . In the absence of the beloved in the solitude and darkness of the night , the lover hears her song in the heartbeat . This is a lilting song from the melodic repertoire of the Hussain brothers .  

 

Aaaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo - Badal Aur Bijli

Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo – Badal aur Bijli

Composition – Sohail Rana

Lyrics – Fayyaz Hashmi

Singer – Habib Wali Mohammad

Prelude – Words are too short to describe the emotions in this timeless classic “ Aaj Jane Ki Zid Na Karo “ penned by Fayyaz Hashmi and composed by Sohail Rana . The song was originally sung by Habib Wali Mohammed Saheb for the film “ Badal aur Bijli “ and popularised by Malike – e – Ghazal ( Queen of Ghazal ) Farida Khanum ji . I first came across a cover version of this song by Akriti Kakkar on You Tube . I have spent innumerable nights thinking about this song and the raag “ Yaman Kalyan “ compelling us to travel to a celestial land . 

Aaj jane ki zid na karo

Oh beloved ! Don’t be persistent in going away from me.

Yoon heen pehlu main baithe raho

Please sit beside me.

Aaj jane ki zid na karo

Oh beloved ! Don’t be persistent in going away from me

Haye mar jaayenge hum toh lut jaayenge

Aisi baatein kiya na karo

Oh beloved ! I will die in lamentation . I will be robbed of my happiness . Don’t say such words to me .

Aaj jane ki zid na karo  

 

Tum heen socho zara kyun na rokein tumhain

You just think why I shouldn't stop you from leaving. 

Jaan jaati hain jab uthke jaate ho tum

I cease to live when you get up and leave me.

Tum ko apni kasam jaan ­- e -  jaan

I swear by you, my dearest, every word I have just said. 

Baat itni meri maan lo

Oh beloved ! just listen to me

Aaj jane ki zid na karo

 

Waqt ki qaid main zindagi hai magar

Life is imprisoned by time . 

Chand gadiyan yahi hain jo azad hain

There are only a few moments which are free.

In ko kho kar meri jaan – e – jaan

Umr bhar na taraste raho

Oh beloved ! Don’t lose these precious moments and yearn for them for the rest of your life. 

Aaj jane ki zid na karo

 

Kitna masoom rangeen hai yeh sama

How innocent and colourful is the soiree.

Husn aur ishq ki aaj meeraaj hai

Today is the pinnacle of beauty and love.

Kal ki kis ko khabar jaan -e- jaan

Rok lo aaj ki raat ko

Oh beloved ! Who knows what awaits tomorrow . Hold onto today’s night .

Aaj jane ki zid na karo

Postlude – The lamentation of the lover when the beloved is persistent in going away is beautifully captured in this song . Love is a mysterious emotion. The rapturous moments it gives to the lover by just being with the beloved are just enthralling . There is an unknown joy of just spending moments together in silence even if there is nothing to speak of. The aching which is brought to the lover just by the thought of separation from the beloved is an eternal theme which poets have explored since time immemorial . 

The second stanza speaks about how human beings are imprisoned by time, spending their lives in pursuit of earning their living and fulfilling their obligations, when love comes as a magical visitor which gives them meaning in this earthly life . The moments spent in love are the only priceless moments which make life worth living . Life is too short to be rushed upon , and it’s important to take it one day after the other and enjoy the feeling of just being with our love and make treasured memories so that we don’t regret it later . 

The third stanza speaks about how the atmosphere is filled and at the zenith of beauty and splendour of the beloved . We are beings who wish that that time would just stop moving forward so that we can capture the precious moments and just be with our love . The poet speaks about how our life should revolve around the present and not in anxiety of the future because we never know what awaits us . The song “ Aaj jane ki zid na karo “ will be eternal ,evoking the echoes of all the people who have experienced love .