Naina Moray Tumhri Raah Takat Hein - Wajahat Husain Khan Badauni

True to his Ustad JHKB, Wajahat Hussain Khan Badauni recites in his melodious voice filled with longing and love. It is often said that qawwals are the masters of the word whereas Khayal singers are masters of singing, however listening to this Barauni style of singing it is difficult to find fault.



Naina moray tumhri raah takat hein      
ayiho ayiho kab tum baalam

birha ki ratiya kaisay katay ab
garva lagayiho kab tum baalam

preet ke karan ye gat bhayii hai
sudbud bisri daiko muraari

aas mori ab tumhi se laagi
poori kariho kab tum baalam

tum se bichhard ker jii na sakoon gi
dard-e-judai seh na sakoon gi

duar kardey tori raah takat hun
ghar aao ge kab tum baalam

prem ki man mein jot jagi hai
tosay millan ki aas lagi hai

sundar mukhdra mohani murat
dikhlao gey kab tum baalam

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.

Hajrat Khwaja Sang Kheliye Dhamal - Wajahat Hussain Khan

This wonderful recital by Wajahat Husain Khan Badauni is in a particularly classical fashion. Celebrating the coming of Bahar..the qawwal moves from the first verse to Phul rahi sarson. This rare recording of Wajahat Khansaheb is in the typically charming style of his ustad Jafar Husain Khansaheb and one that true raag lovers will enjoy.
Thanks to Nadeem Khan who sent this to me.

Hajrat Khwaja sang Kheliye Dhamal
Baes e Khwaja ban ban aye
continuing to ...Phul rahi sarson

-----------------------

Wajahat Hussain Khan was born into a family of illustrious musicians and has consequently had the advantage of learning both from his grandfather Nisar Hussain Khan, and father Zahid Hussain Khan. He has also trained with Jafar Hussain Khan of the Rampur Gharana. By assimilating the nuances of of qawwali singing with those of the Rampur, Sahaswan and Gwalior gharanas, Wajahat Hussain Khan presents a rare combination of Hindustani and qawwali gayeki styles

Kaahe ko Biyahe Bides - By Hazrat Amir Khusrau

Kahe Ko Biyahe Bides
Kalam: Hazrat Amir Khusrau
Recital: Wajahat Hussain Khan Badauni

Most of us have heard this kalam at weddings or in an Indian film[1]. The tarz is immediately familiar and so easily enjoyable. I especially love the sweet words of Urdu and Purbi. The lament of the bride as she addresses "baabul" her father leaves her home, and the many terms of endearment[2] referring to herself in the eyes of Baabul.

Besides Delhi of course it was in places like Hyderabad, Rampur and Bhopal where the princely states encouraged qawwals and Indian classical gayeki in general. Therefore the images of the architecture of Hyderabad, Deccan and then the one of Roza in Badaun the home of Wajahat Hussain Khan qawwal.

This particular rendition is also special because it is the most complete one I have heard yet. I am unsure if there any verses missing, however if anyone knows of other verses please let me know by commenting below.

Kahe Ko Biyahe Bides by Hazrat Amir Khusrau from Tasawwuf on Vimeo.

***You may need to click "Play", "Pause" then "Play" again to view the video***


Kahe ko Biyahe Bides,
Arae Lakhiya Baabul Morey

Ham Toray Baabul, Bele Ki Kaliyan[2]
Ghar-ghar Maangey Hain Jaaye
Arae Lakhiya Baabul Mohe
Kahe ko Biyahe bides

Ham Toray Aangan ki, Bholee si Chirdaiya[2]
Chuggay, peeye, Urdhh Jaaye,
Arae Lakhiya Baabul Moray
Kahe ko Biyahe bides

Ham Toray Baabul, Khootay ki Gayeeya[2]
Hathon nikal, Hat Jaye re
Lakhiya Baabul Moray
Kahe ko Biyahe bides

Taak Bharee Mein Ne, Gurdiyen jo Chhordeen
To Chhorda Saheeliyon Ka Saath
Lakhiya Baabul Mohe
Kahe ko Biyahe bides

Mahalon Taley Se, Dola Jo Nikla
Beeran Mein Chhaaye Pachhaad
Lakhi Baabul Mohe
Kahe ko Biyahe bides

Bhaiya Ko Diyo, Baabul Mahalan Do Mahalay
Ham Ko Diyo Pardesh re
Lakhi Baabul Mohe
Kahe ko Biyahe bides

Khusrau Kehat Hein, Ae Meri Laado[2]
Dhan Dhan Bhaag Suhaag re
Lakhi Baabul Mohe
Kahe ko Biyahe bides

----
English Translation:

Why did you part me from yourself, dear father, why?

We are just flower-buds of your garden,
And are asked for, in every household, dear father.

We are just birds from your cage,
Will fly off when its dawn again, dear father.

We (daughters) are just cows tied to your peg,
Will move on to where ever you drive us to, dear father.

I’ve left at home, alcoves full of dolls;
And parted from my friends too, dear father.

When my palanquin passed beneath the terrace,
My brother fainted and fell, dear father.

You’ve given houses with two stories to my brothers,
And to me, a foreign land? Why dear father, why?

As I remove the curtain from the palanquin,
I see we’ve reached the beloved’s house, dear father.

Khusrau says, oh my beloved
May you and your husband be blessed



Wajahat Hussain Khan is the grandnephew of the late Qawwali Maestro Jafar Hussain Khasaheb of Badaun


[1] Umrao Jan