I should really be working on my brief but…

My brother made me listen to this ghazal by Ustadh Amanat Ali Khan, the great Pakistani classical singer. The ghazal is called “Aa Meray Pyaar ki Khushbu” (translation: “Come the Fragrance of my Beloved”). It’s a beautiful ghazal and I don’t know if Amanat is directing the lyrics at a lover or God. Regardless of who the object (well, well. The object can also be the subject!) of the ghazal is, I want to share it with you. Below the video, there is a transliteration from Urdu and then after a stanza, there’s a translation of it which my brother worked on (with the help of my mother) by modifying another translation to make it more accessible, I guess. The ghazal has made me become more interested in trying to understand my own native culture. Hope you will enjoy it as much as I do:

 

aa mere pyar ki khushbu, aa mere pyar ki khushbu
aa mere pyar ki khushbu, manzil pe tujhe puhanchayein
aa mere pyar ki khushbu

Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love, Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love,
Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love, direct you to the destiny 

chalta chal humraahi, chalta chal humraahi
meri zulf ke saaye saaye, aa mere pyar ki khushbu
aa mere pyar ki khushbu, aa mere pyar ki khushbu

Walk, my partner, walk my partner

Beneath the shades of my tress. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love,

Let the fragrance of my love…

suuraj ki tarah mein chamkuun, par mujh mein dhuup nahi hae
mujh mein dhuup nahi hae…
jo shola ban kar lapkay, mera aisa roop nahi hae
mera aisa roop nahi hae…
jo nazron ko jhulsaaye, aa mere pyar ki khushbu
aa mere pyar ki khushbu, aa mere pyar ki khushbu

I shine like the Sun, but there is no sunshine within me,

There is no sunshine within me…
That burns one’s face, I don’t reach like the rays
I don’t reach like the rays…
That burns one’s sight. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love,

Let the fragrance of my love…

mein raat ki aankh ka taara, mein nuur ka roshan dhaara
nuur ka roshan dhaara…
mein jaagon raat ke dil mein, jab so jaaye jag saara
so jaaye jag saara…
tab teri yaad aa jaye, aa mere pyar ki khushbu
aa mere pyar ki khushbu, aa mere pyar ki khushbu

I am the star of the night’s Eye, I am the brightest ray of the Light

The brightest ray of the Light…
I live awake in the heart of the night, while the whole world sleeps
While the whole world sleeps…
When your memories slowly grab me right. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love,

Let the fragrance of my love…

tu chunnta sirf mujh hii ko, pehchaan tujhe gar hoti
pehchaan tujhe gar hoti…
insaaf se tu khud kehta, yeh kankar hae, yeh moti
yeh kankar hae, yeh moti…
mera pyar tujhe samjhaaye, aa mere pyar ki khushbuu
aa mere pyar ki khushbu, manzil pe tujhe puhanchayein
aa mere pyar ki khushbu, aa mere pyar ki khushbu

You would have chosen me only, had you recognized

Had you recognized… 
Justly would you say, if I was a speck of dirt or a pearl,
A speck of dirt or a pearl?
My love will teach you (the difference).  Come, Beloved, the fragrance of my love.

Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love, direct you to the destiny.

Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love…

 

Currently listening to: The Cure – Disintegration