Translation: May your charming face ever shine like the full moon; May you hold eternal sway over the domains of beauty. By your amorous glance you have killed a poor man like me; How magnanimous of you? May God give you a long life. Pray do not be cruel lest you should feel ashamed of…
I stole a glance from Niẓam
Translation: Let the housewife say what she will, I stole a glance from the eyes of Nizam. His darling face and his charming form I have hidden in the depths of my heart. Let Khusrao perish at the feet of Nizam, I have just sold him a priceless maid [Khusrau himself] Khusrau! It…
Bulleh Shah-My Beloved Reveals Untold Secrets
Behad Ramzan Dasda Mera Dholan Mahi (My beloved reveals untold secrets) Transliteration and Translation Ve Di??? Bhena Dus Mullah Ouh Alif Seedha Kam Khat Aaya O Yaar ??? Hun Des Vataa Hun Ik Wat Aaya Sohna Meem Da Ghunghat Pa Ke Dekh… Ali Haidera Pehle Ahad Si Hun Ahmad Bun…
Amir Khusro in Love
Main To Piya Se Naina Laga Aayi Re Translation: Hey, I’ve just had an affair with my darling, Don’t care what the neighbourhood girls say; Just had an affair with my darling. Oh, his beautiful face, charming like an idol, I’ve just made a place in the bottom of his heart. I, Khusrau, give…
It’s Spring Again!
Amir Khusro wrote several poems about Basant, a pre-Islamic Panjabi/South Asian/Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring by flying kites, wearing yellow, carrying yellow flowers. A legend goes that Amir Khusro’s shaykh, Nizamuddin, was mourning the death of his nephew when Amir Khusro came with a whole Basant procession to cheer him up. Chisti Sufis have…
Hazrat ‘Alī in Nusrat’s Qawwals
Many of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s greatest qawwal performances feature lyrics about ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, probably originally deriving from the song, “Man Kuntu Mawla,” attributed to Amir Khusrow (d. 1325). Bulleh Shah (d. 1757) is said to have modified this song to create the popular qawwal “Mast Qalandar” in honor of the Sufi saint…
The path to the well is rough…
Two more gems from Amir Khusrau, Bahut kathin and Tori Surat: Bahut kathin Translation: The path to the well is too rough How can I fill my pitcher? When I went to fill my pitcher with water In my rush, I broke my pot. Khusro has given his whole life to you, O Nizam. Would you…
Every night, every day
https://vimeo.com/70399018 Lyrics and Translation Har shab manam futada, Ba girde sarai e tou Har roz ah o nala kunam az barai e tou Every night have I fallen, around the circle of Thy tavern every day, do I wail and cry, in yearning of Thee Jana ba iin shakista dil-bewafa ma shou Umre…
Envy of the ancient idols…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqSS7O7zKsM Translation: O you whose beautiful face is the envy of the idols of Azar (Abraham’s father and famous idol maker); However I describe you, your beauty is still lovelier. All over the world have I traveled; many a maiden’s love have I tasted; Many a beauty have I seen; but you are…
You make me forget myself…
Amir Khusro Translation: I dressed myself up to go see my Love but when I saw him, I forgot myself you robbed me of everything when our eyes met You made me drink love’s elixir and I got drunk when our eyes met My fair arms with green bangles you took by the…