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 .