Dam a Dam Mast Qalandar - Jafar Husain Khan

Whenever I listen to Jafar Husain Khansaheb I am reminded of an old discussion about ras.

Not just the ras that is similar to nectar or sheera, words often used to describe the sweetness of singing, but also the ras which is the mood of the raag being sung. Whatever Khan saheb may be lacking in loudness he more than compensates with the ras in the recital of melody. "Mast Qalandar" is one such example of a sufiana kalam that is meant to be sung with much gusto and a powerful passion. So much so that often it gets the listener to beysaakhta stand up and start to dance. Khansaheb may not inspire you to dance, yet the style of this special recital will touch the heart through the feelings conveyed.

O laal meri pat rakhio bala jhoole laalan, 

Sindri da Sehvan da, sakhi Shabaaz kalandar, 

Dama dam mast kalandar, Ali dam dam de andar

(O the red robed, May I always have your benign protection, Jhulelal (as he was affectionately called ). O, the lord,the friend and the Sire of Sindh and Sehwan ( or Serwan ),The red robed God-intoxicated Qalandar, The lord in every breath of mine, glory unto to you)

Chaar charaag tere baran hamesha, 

Panjwa mein baaran aayi bala jhoole laalan
Sindri da Sehvan da, sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, 

Dama dam mast Qalandar, Ali dam dam de andar

(Your shrine is always lighted with four lamps, And here I come to light a fifth lamp in your honor )

Hind Sind ( some also sing Ghanan ghanan ) peera teri naubat vaaje, 

Naal vaje ghadiyaal bala jhoole laalan,
Sindri da Sehvan da sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, 

Dama dam mast kalandar, ali dam dam de andar

(Let your heroic name ring out in Hind & Sindh ( or lets the gongs bell loud ), 

Let the gong ring loud for your glory day and night by the people ( ghariyal - watchman, symbolism of night )

Har dam peera teri khair hove, Naam-e-ali beda paar laga jhoole laalan, 

O naam-e-ali, O naam-e-ali beda paar laga jhoole laalan, 

Sindri da sehvan da sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, 

Dama dam mast Qalandar, Ali dam dam de andar

( O Lord, may you prevail everytime, everywhere, I pray of oyur well being, 

In the name of Ali, I pray to you to help my boat cross (the river of life) in safety)

http://ajitkumarsharma.blogspot.com/2008/06/o-lal-meri-pat-dama-dam-mast-qalandar.html