Tori Surat ke Balihari - Hazrat Amir Khusrau

Habib A Niazi's style of singing focuses on melody
and he manages to get to the essence of the poetry.

the melodious voice of jafar husain khan baduni

Tori surat ke balihari, Nijaam

Sab sakhiyan mein chundar mori mailee,
Dekh hansain nar naari,
Ab ke bahar chundar mori rang de,
Piya rakh lay laaj hamari, Nijaam.
Sadqa baba Ganj-e-Shakar ka,
Rakh lay laaj hamari, Nijaam.
Qutab, Farid mil aaye barati,
'Khusrau' raajdulaari, Nijaam.
Kouo saas kouo nanad say jhagday,
Hamko aas tihaari, Nijaam.
Tori surat ke balihari, Nijaam.
---

trans: http://www.angelfire.com/sd/urdumedia/lyrics.html

Beholding your appearance, Oh Nijaam
I offer myself in sacrifice.
Amongst all the girls, my scarf is the most soiled,
Look, the girls are laughing at me.
This spring, please dye my scarf for me,
Oh Nijaam, protect my honour.
In the name of Ganj-e Shakar (Nizamuddin Aulia's pir),
Protect my honour, Oh beloved Nijaam.
Qutab and Farid have come in the wedding procession,
And Khusrau is the loving bride, Oh Nijaam.
Some have to fight with the mother-in-law,
While some with sisters-in-law,
But I have you for support, Oh Nijaam.

Bakhubi ham cho mah tabinda baashi - Jaffar Husain Khan Badauni

____________________________________________________
Recital : Qawwal Jaffar Husain Badauni
____________________________________________________


 Bakhubi hamcho meh tabinda baashi;
 Bamulk-e dilbari paayindah baashi

May your charming face ever shine like the full moon;
May you hold eternal sway over the domains of beauty.

Man-e darvish ra kushti baghamzah;
Karam kardi Ilahi zindah baashi.

By your amorous glance you have killed a poor man like me;
How magnanimous of you? May God give you a long life.

Jahan sozi agar dar ghamza aayi
Shakar-rezi agar darkhanda baashi


Ze qaid-e dojahan azad gashtam;
Agar tu hum-nashin-e bandah baashi.

I shall be set free from the bonds of the two worlds
If you become my companion for a while.

Jafaa kam kun ki farda roz-e mehshar;
Baru-e aashiqan sharmindah baashi.

Pray do not be cruel lest you should feel ashamed of yourself
Before your lovers on the day of judgment.

Barindi-o bashokhi hamcho Khusrau;
Hazaran khanuman barkandah baashi.

By your wanton playfulness you must have destroyed
Thousands of hearts of lovers like that of Khusrau.

Chaap Tilak Sab Chheeni - Hz. Amir Khusrau

08 Chaap Tilak Sab Chheeni from Tasawwuf on Vimeo.

We were truly fortunate to have Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad with Ali Akbar Razi Ghayoor Moiz Mustafa Qawwal, Hamza Akram QawwalQawwal Tehseen Farid at our home recently in a small and intimate gathering. 

The evening will forever remain in my memory for its soft style of singing. This 47 min Chaap Tilak contains many special moments with lots of girahbandi which one would expect from such a long rendition. I'd like to thank both the singers and the listeners for helping create such a beautiful atmosphere. Most of all to Pasha Mohamad Khan and McGill for being instrumental in bringing them to Canada and showcasing Pakistani singers at the University and Amir Ali Alibhai for the events at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto.

Others who deserve a special thanks are the generous friends Arshad Saeed, Javed Somra and Mustafa Hamid from Ottawa.

Guftam ke Shireen az Qamar ~ Amir Khusrau

This rendition is quite different from what we are normally used to hearing.
Also a few beautiful verses including in the girrahbandi that are new.

Guftam ke roshan az qamar, gufta ke rukhsar-e-man ast
guftam ke shireen az shakar, gufta ke guftar-e-man ast 

Guftam tareeq-e-aashiqi, gufta wafadari buwad
guftam makun jaur-o-jafaa, gufta ke iin kaar-e-man ast

Guftam ke marg-e-aashiqan, gufta ke dard-e-hijr-e-man
guftam iilaaj-e-zindagi, gufta ke deedar-e-man ast

Guftam ke houri ya pari, gufta ke man shah-e-butan
guftam ke Khusrau na-tavaan gufta parastar-e-man ast

~ Amir Khusrau

Eid Gah e Maa Ghareeban Kou-e-Tou - Amir Khusrau

Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia

Ustad Farid Ayaz & Abu Muhammad Qawwal Party
@ Montreal

Eid Gah e maa ghareeban kou-e-tou,
inbisat e eid deedan, rou-e-tou 

Sud hilal-e-eid qurbaannat kunam
aye hilal-e-maa, hamein ab, rou-e-tou

Kaba-e-Dil Qibla e jan rou-e-tou 
sajda gah-e-ashiqan ab, rou-e-tou 

Ya Nizamuddin ab rou-e-illah
jumla mehboobaan ghulam-e, rou-e-tou

~ Hazrat Amir Khusrau

Man Banda e aan - Amir Khusrau

In fond memory of Mehdi Hasan

Celebrating a life filled with huge contributions to our rich culture. 
Pakistan's beloved Mehdi Hassan diedon June 13, 2012 in Karachi.


Recital: Mehdi Hassan (Pakistan)

Man banda e aan ruh e ke didan na gozarand
Diwana e zulf e ke kashidan na gozarand

Az tashnegiyam shola zanad sina o az dur
Sharbat beynomayand o cheshidan nagozarand

Ya rab, che azab ast bar in morgh e gireftar
Besmil na pasandand o paridan nagozarand

Sad chak shoda sina o sad para shoda dil
Wa'in beykhabaran jame daridan nagozarand

Sad khar e jafa khord ze hijrane too Khusrow
Ah ar  gol e az bagh e tou chidan nagozarand

~ Amir Khusrau

trans: 

The Unseen and Unknown's follower am I

Intioxicated by the tresses that can niether be pulled nor passed by

A fire rages from afar,, from the thirst that lies within

the sweet nectar I am shown but not allowed to taste

O Lord, what agony is this caged bird suffering

when its sacrifice is not desired, nor release allowed

The chest has been rent assunder, the heart in tatters

and yet these igonorant ones dont allow me to tear off my raimant

Hundreds of thorns has Khosrow borne, in seperation from Thee

O woe, that not a flower from Thy garden am I allowed to pluck

~ Farrokh Namazi

Jan Zetan Burdi ~ Amir Khusrau

Jan zetan burdi wa darjani hunooz;
Dard-ha daadi wa darmani hunooz.
Aashkara seen-e am bashugaafti;
Hamchunan dar seen-e pinhani hunooz.
Ma za girya chun namak bagudakhtim;
Tu bakhunda shukr afshani hunooz.

~ Amir Khusrau

 You carried the soul from (my) body – and yet,
 You are still in the soul;
You have given pains – and are still the remedy;
Openly you split my breast Yet,
you are still hidden in my heart.
You have destroyed the kingdom of my heart
With the sword of coquetry,
 And are still a ruler in that place….

 [trans by A.Schimmel]

Raag Bahar - Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sings Khurau Bandish

This rendition of Raag Bahar is simply 25 minutes of bliss.


Hazrat Khwaja sang khailiye dhamaal
baees e Khwaja ral ban than baithe
beech mein hazrat rasool e sahib e jamal
hazrat khwaja sang khailiye dhamaal

~ Hazrat Amir Khusrau
----------------------

Sakal ban phool rahi sarson,
Ambva moray, gesu phulay,
Koyal bolay daar daar,
Aur gori karat singhaar,
Malaniyan gadhwa lay aayin karson,

Tarah tarah kay phool mangaaye,
Lay gandhva haathan mein aaye.
Nijamuddin kay darwajay par,
Aawan keh gaey shoakh rung,
Aur beet gaye barson.

~ Hazrat Amir Khusrau

Aamadey Bey Qatl-e-Mann - Amir Khusrau

   Ustad Iftekhar Ahmad Qawwal
What an amazingly beautiful recital by Ustad Iftekhar Ahmad Qawwal @ Anees Miyan's Mehfil (Urs of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in 2011). A truly emotive experience.

Aamadey bey qatl-e-mann, en shokh sitamgari
Een turfa tamasha been, na karda gunah gaare

Gar nam-o-nishan-e-mann, pur sang be go qasid
Awara-o-majnoon ne, rusva sar-e-bazari

Ae isiye bimara, dar hijr-e-ranj o ram
Shayad na khabardari, az halat-e-bimari

 Khwahi ke shifa baashad, beemar-e-mohbbat ra
Gar jura khuda raze, az sharbat-e-deedare

 Dar lazat-e-deedar ash, khusrau che to a guftam
Sar dadam uja dadam, na deeda rukh-e-yaare

 ~ Amir Khusrau

The complete mehfil is available at naadsaagar.com. Feel free to become a member and enjoy all the wonderful music of intimate small mehfils from the collections of generous listeners. Thank you Irfan Zuberi for helping set this up for all to enjoy.

Chaap Tilak - Hz. Amir Khusrau - The Amazing 40+ minute rendition

 Starting with a lovely sazeena and continuing with a long satisfying alaap including taankari, this has got to be the mother of all Chaap Tilaks. .

I recall my friend Vaqar Ahmed sitting close to the qawwals and shaking his head with joy during the alaap. Seeing this body language Abu Muhammad briefly stopped midway and said "mulahiza farmaiye, mujhay barda maza aa raha hai. kuchh log jo yahan par gerdan hila ke jo tareef ker rahay hein. mujhe ehsaas ho raha hai ke classical bhi yahan bohat sarey log samajh rahe hein" . For those who haven't this 40 min+  rendition before it will be a special treat.

It develops from a slow and pensive tone to a robust finale and lots of ups and downs in between. baqaul Farid Ayaz saheb ke "ik behta huwa darya hai. lehron mein utrao chardhao ki tarah hai qawwali". This one contains a whole lot of beautiful girahbandi including verses from Kabir.

Finally a wonderful Khusrau tarana at 36.00 which is even more appealing with the powerful singing of the chorus. Enjoy!

Ay chehra-e zeba-e tu - Hazrat Amir Khusrau

Recital at the recent Jashn-e-Khusrau Festival arranged by IPAC and Kuch Khaas in Islamabad.
Here "Ay chehra-e zeba-e tu rashk-e butan-e azari" is appropriately followed by 
the Khusrau kalam "Tori Soorat ke Balhari Nijam"

Ay chehra-e zeba-e tu rashk-e butan-e azari;
Har chand wasfat mikunam dar husn-az-aan zebatari.
Aafaq ra gar deedah am mehr-e butan warzeedah am;
Bisyar khuban deedah am lekin tu cheez-e degari.
Man tu shudam, tu man shudi, man tan shudam, tu jan shudi;
Taakas nagoyad baad azeen man deegaram tu deegari.
Khusrau ghareeb ast-o gada uftadah dar shehr-e shuma;
Baashad ki az behr-e khuda, su-e ghareeban bangari.

Eng Trans:

O you whose beautiful face is the envy of the idols of Azar
(Abraham's father and famous idol maker);
You remain superior to my praise.
All over the world have I traveled;
many a maiden’s love have I tasted;
Many a beauty-star have I seen; but you are something unique.
I have become you, and you me; I have become the body,
you the soul; So that none hereafter may say
that “I am someone and you someone else.”
Khusro a beggar, a stranger has come wandering to your town;
For the sake of god, have pity on this beggar
and do not turn him away from your door.

(trans. Dr. Hadi Hasan)

recording credit: Sahar Haroon
trans and poetry: http://www.angelfire.com/sd/urdumedia/love.html

Khabaram raseed imshab ki nigaar khuahi aamad - خبرم رسید امشب کہ نگار خواہی آمد

bohat achhay andaz mein pardha hai ye hazrat amir khusrau ka kalam
These qawwals are sons of Ustad Bahauddin Khansaheb


Najmuddin Saifuddin Qawwal from Karachi recite Khusrau

Khabaram raseed imshab ki nigaar khuahi aamad;
Sar-e man fidaa-e raah-e ki sawaar khuahi aamad.
Ham-e aahwan-e sehra sar-e khud nihada bar kaf;
Ba-umeed aanki rozi bashikaar khuahi aamad.
Kashishi ki ishq daarad naguzaradat badinsaa;
Ba-janazah gar nayai ba-mazaar khuahi aamad.
Balabam raseed jaanam fabiya ki zindah maanam;
Pas azan ki man na-maanam bacha kar khuahi aaamad.

خبرم رسید امشب کہ نگار خواہی آمدسرِ من فدائے راہے کہ سوار خواہی آمد

بہ لبم رسیدہ جانم تو بیا کہ زندہ مانمپس ازاں کہ من نمانم بہ چہ کار خواہی آمدہمہ آہوانِ صحرا سرِ خود نہادہ بر کفبہ امید آنکہ روزے بشکار خواہی آمد

بیک آمدن ربودی دل و دین و جانِ خسروچہ شود اگر بدینساں دو سہ بار خواہی آمد

English Translation:

Tonight there came a news that you, oh beloved, would come –
Be my head sacrificed to the road along which you will come riding!
All the gazelles of the desert have put their heads on their hands
In the hope that one day you will come to hunt them….
The attraction of love won’t leave you unmoved;
Should you not come to my funeral,
you’ll definitely come to my grave.
My soul has come on my lips (e.g. I am on the point of expiring);
Come so that I may remain alive -
After I am no longer – for what purpose will you come?

Notes

Translation added from the site
http://www.alif-india.com/love.

Ae ri Sakhi ri Morey Khwaja Ghar Aaye - Amir Khusrau

Taj Muhammad Shad Muhammad Nasir Niazi Qawwal

ae ri sakhiri morey khwaja ghar aaye

bhaag lagay is aangan ko

apne khwaja pe mein bal bal jaon

charran lagayo nirdhan ko

mein to khardi thi aas lagaye 

pehen ki gajra maang sajaye

daikh suratiya apne khwaja ki

haar gayii mein tan man ko

jis ka khwaja sang beetey sawan

us dulhan ki raen suhagan

jis sawan mein khwaja nahin aaye

aag lagay os sawan ko

Ae ri Sakhi ri Morey Khwaja Ghar Aaye from Mahera Omar

--------------- 

Poetry: Hazrat Amir Khusrau

Video credit: Mahera Omar, Karachi

Recital: Taj Muhammad Shad Muhammad Nasir Niazi Qawwal 

Har Shab Manam Futada - Hazrat Amir Khusrau

What a delight to see these young sons of the late Moin Niazi Qawwal recite in his signature style. I find their singing is filled with melody and sense of proportion and understanding. Mahera Omar has done a fine job of  presenting them in high definition and a crisp audio.

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 guzasht ta shuda am aashina e tou

 O Love, turn not thy gaze from this broken hearted one 
 for a lifetime has been spent, in getting to know Thee 

Rozay ke zarra zarra shavad, ustakhan-e-man
 Ba shad hanoz dar dil-e-veesham hava e tou

 when my bones are nothing but shattered bits 
 may my heart carry on its quest of Thee 

 Bar hal-e-zar-e-man nazar-e-kun ze raahay lutf
 Tu Badshah-e-husni o Khusrau gada e tou

 Let thy Grace fall on my blighted self 
 Thou art the Lord of Grace, and Khosro but a begger of Thee 

~ Amir Khusrau

Recital: Taj Muhammad Shad Muhammad Nasir Niazi Qawwal
Video credit: Mahera Omar, Karachi
Farsi to English translation ~ Farrokh Namazi, 

Q A U L - by Wajahat Hussain Khan Qawwal

The melodious voice of Wajahat Husain Khan Badauni

I had been looking for Wajahat Hussain Khan Badauni for a while. Always wondered how the descendants of one of the greatest voices in qawwali (Jafar Husain Khan Badauni) could just disappear from public view.  I tried to ask people of his whereabouts but had no success. For those of you who do not know of him, Wajahat is the grandnephew of the late Qawwali Ustad Jafar Hussain Khasaheb of Badaun. I even asked Yousuf Saeed in Delhi, a Khusrau enthusiast, thinking that he would surely know. Yousuf had been to Badaun many years back and met Jafar saheb, however did not have any further information about the next generation of qawwals.

Then quite by coincidence, and to my delight, I was recently contacted by his young nephew Nadeem Khan who is a classical singer based in Delhi (cousin of Ustad Rashid Khan) and sent me this lovely CD. Nadeem and Wajahat are both from the Rampur Sehaswan Gharana and Wajahat Hussain Khan is the grandson and disciple of legendary Ustad Nissar Hussain Khansahab.

Born in Badaun, Wajahat was associated with Jafar sahab at an early age due to his keen interest in Sufi music and started performing regularly ever since. An experienced qawwal of 45 now, Wajahat is recognized by most in the qawwali fraternity for his musical prowess and understanding of 'gayaki'. His wonderfully melodious style is quite similar to that of his granduncle. Enjoy the music!

I am hoping that from all the qawwali lover out there all over the world, some will take an interest in Wajahat Hussain Khan Qawwal party and will host the singer. In sab ki hosla afzai karna ham sab pe farz hai. achhay sunnein waaley kay bhi kuchh faraez hotay hein aakhir.

Hazrat Khwaja Sang Kheliye Dhamal - Pandit Jasraj

Panditji delivers a lovely, evocative rendition of Hazrat Amir Khusrau's famous kalam. This piece was released with the album The Multifaceted Genius Of Amir Khusrau Dehalvi.

Manqabat - Aal-e-Nabi Aulad-e-Ali

Vocalist: Ustad Munawar Ali Khansahib
Kalam: Hazrat Amir Khusrau
Bandish:
Aal-e-Nabi Aulad-e-Ali par ware ware jawoon,
Du jag mein rakhiyon laaj mori,
Zahra ke dilbundar Hasan Hussain pe ware ware jawwon.

Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, Raag Yaman, drut, teentaal

Tori Surat Ke Balhari Nizam - Amir Khusrau

Today on the demise of Qawwal Manzoor Niazi, I'd like to honour him by posting this beautiful Khusrau poem sung by his party some 40 years ago. Niazi saheb was one of  the old stalwarts of the world of qawwali and brought with him the treasures of Dilli Gharana to Karachi, Pakistan soon after partition. Not only did he bring the words of sufi poets and saints but also some of the most fabulous qawwals that Pakistanis witnessed over the next five decades. Among the original party were the likes of Bahauddin saheb, Iftekhar Ahmed Khan Nizami, Munshi Raziuddin and the then junior Ustad Naseeruddin Saami who continues to enthrall audiences with his khayal singing today.

In 2010, at the request of Musaf Bin Noor, I searched my collection and found this interesting old recording of Khusrau's kalam "Tori Surat Ke Balhari" which includes the old party from Karachi.
While the lead is Manzoor Ahmed Niazi Qawwal from 1975 the prominent voices of Munshi Raziudding and Naseeruddin Saami are distinct. I am a little skeptical about the date of the recording as this group was apparently singing together prior to 1966. It is also possible that the recording is simply labelled incorrectly and does not include the complete old qawwal party of Manzoor saheb. Nonetheless if Asif bhai, Munsaf or anyone else like Abu Muhammad or Abdullah Niazi wish to comment on this, you are quite welcome. Probably the rest of you can recognize the other voices quite easily. I only request you all to be respectful toward all involved in your comments. Many thanks.



Beholding your countenance, I offer myself in sacrifice (balhari)
All the other girls saw my soiled chundar,
And together they laughed at me.
This springtime, dye my chundar for me (rang do)
O protect my honour(laj) (Nijam, Beloved)! ...
Who can win against mother-in-law or sister-in-law?
I pine for your support.
Everyone knows how you and I are linked:
Is my honour different from yours, (Nijam, Beloved?)

"These lines from Tori surat, also by Amir Khusrau (Repertoire No3), express mystical love through a young woman longing to offer herself up in utter devotion, depending for her very existence, her honour (laf), on the Beloved's protection. Her soiled garment, covering her head and chest ..." 
Regula Qureshi - Sufi Music from India and Pakistan

Raag Darbari - Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan

Leading Pakistani vocalist, Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan epitomizes LMF’s three main principles of Aesthetics, Excellence and Tradition. Do listen to his Raag Darbari, bandish "Kin bairan kaan bharay" followed by tarana "Yaar-e-man beya", originally favorites of Ustad Amir Khan (Indore), finally ending with "Rang de aaj mori chunariya".

Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan - Multani
Performing for Lahore Music Forum
2012

Yaar-e-man biya
Balabam raseed jaanam 
Fabiya ki zindah maanam;
Pas azan ki man na-maanam 
bacha kar khuahi aaamad.



trans:
Come to me my beloved
My life is on my lips
Come so that I may remain alive -After I am no longer 
for what purpose will you come?

"Hes approaching 75 now aur abhi bhi riyazat mein masruf hotay hain and most importantly thinks about his music..wish many of the youngsters would think more about studying their music...." ~ Saqib Razaq talking about Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan

Khusrau and Ghalib on (vafaa) faithfulness - Darbari Kanada

Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan
Montreal

Amir Khusrau:

Jafa kam kun ke farda roz-e-mahshar
ba rooh-e-ashiqan sharminda baashi

Ze qaid-e-dojahan azaad gashtam
Agar tuu hamnasheeni banda baashi

Barindi o bashokhi  ham-cho Khusrau
Hazaran khanuma barganda bashi

----
trans: 
Pray do not be cruel lest you should feel ashamed of yourself Before your lovers on the day of judgment. 

I shall be set free from the bonds of the two worlds
If you become my companion for a while.

By your wanton playfulness you must have destroyed
Thousands of hearts of lovers like that of Khusrau.

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/urdumedia/love.html


Mirza Ghalib:
Dil-e-Naadaa.n Tujhe Huaa Kyaa hai
Aakhir is Dard kii davaa kyaa hai

Ham hai.n mushtaaq aur vo bezaar
Yaa ilaahii, ye maajaraa kyaa hai

Mai.n bhii muh me.n zubaan rakhataa huu.n
Kaash puuchho kii mudda kyaa hai

Jab ke tujh bin nahii.n koi maujuud
Phir ye ha.ngaamaa ai Khudaa kyaa hai

Ye parii-cheharaa log kaise hai.n
Gamazaa-o-ush{}vaa-o-adaa kyaa hai

Shikane-zulafe-amabarii kyaa hai
Nigaah e-chashme-surama saa kyaa hai

Sabz-o-gul kahaa.n se aaye hai.n
Abr kyaa chiiz hai, havaa kyaa hai

Ham ko un se vafaa ki hai ummiid
Jo nahii.n jaanate vafaa kyaa hai

Haa.n bhalaa kar, teraa bhalaa hogaa
Aur daravesh kii sadaa kyaa hai

Jaan tum par nisaar karataa huu.n
Mai.n nahii.n jaanataa duaa kyaa hai

Maine maanaa ki kuchh nahiin gaalib
Muft haath aaye, to buraa kyaa hai

_____________

Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan was a child prodigy and gave his first public performance at the age of 7 at the Lahore Music Festival in 1979. He has, since then gone on to perform widely in Pakistan and internationally, both at concert venues and at venues like the Smithsonian Institute and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The above audio clip is part of a 35 minute rendition of the Darbari Kanada recital at the DB Clarke Theatre in Montreal under the auspices of the Kabir Cultural Centre.

While the Sham Chaurasia Gharana presently sings Khayal, Thumri and Kaafi, originally the gharana was noted for his dhrupad singing. It is such a delight to see that elements of dhurpad seep into Shafqat's recitals as in the tail end of this darbari kanada. The other famous Malkauns (marathon 1 hour long) recital in Ottawa also had wonderful elements of dhurpad combined in the khayal. Kya dil khush kiya hai Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan nein. Aur abhi to itnay jawan hein mashallah, bohat waqt baaqi hai abhi. I am looking forward to many years of listening to his treasure cove.