[Indian Music] Rabbi Shergill's Bulla Ki Jaana... : iWrite

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Today

During our last visit to Texas, we met with my best friend from undergrad, Chandan and his girlfriend, Estella. While I shall write about our wonderful trip and visit to Dallas and San Antonio some other time, this entry is related to a wonderful song that I listened to and have been wanting to own the CD of for the last 4 months. En route to San Antonio,Bulleh Shah (1680-1757) Chandan played a CD with one of the most beautiful songs/verse that I have heard in a long time in his car. Rabbi Shergill, someone I had not been exposed to before, with his really soothing voice sung this beautifully written verse by Bulleh Shah (18th century Punjabi Sufi poet and humanist) in an amazing composition with all the modern instruments. An awesome song! So good that I turned down the offer to take the mp3. Instead, I wanted pay and buy a CD so that the singer (and everyone associated with the song/album) gets his due.

Unfortunately, despite looking frantically at all places in the bay-area for over 4 months, I am yet to find a place that actually carries one. My only alternative (and no, it's not available via amazon either), wait 'til a friend/family member travels to this side of the world and would be willing to bring one....
For those who are intrigued, here's the written version and one of it's translations (I am not sure if it is the most correct one). You have to listen to really understand...

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun

Bulleh! to me, I am not known Not a believer inside the mosque, am I

Na maen momin vich maseet aan
Na maen vich kufar diyan reet aan
Na maen paakaan vich paleet aan
Na maen moosa na pharaun.

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun

Na maen andar ved kitaab aan,
Na vich bhangaan na sharaab aan
Na vich rindaan masat kharaab aan
Na vich jaagan na vich saun.

Bulleh! ki jaana maen kaun.

Na vich shaadi na ghamnaaki
Na maen vich paleeti paaki
Na maen aabi na maen khaki
Na maen aatish na maen paun

Bulleh!, ki jaana maen kaun

Na maen arabi na lahori
Na maen hindi shehar nagauri
Na hindu na turak peshawri
Na maen rehnda vich nadaun

Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun

Na maen bheth mazhab da paaya
Ne maen aadam havva jaaya
Na maen apna naam dharaaya
Na vich baitthan na vich bhaun

Bulleh , ki jaana maen kaun

Avval aakhir aap nu jaana
Na koi dooja hor pehchaana
Maethon hor na koi siyaana
Bulla! ooh khadda hai kaun

Bulla, ki jaana maen kaun

Nor a pagan disciple of false rites
Not the pure amongst the impure
Neither Moses, nor the Pharoh

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Not in the holy Vedas, am I
Nor in opium, neither in wine
Not in the drunkard`s intoxicated craze
Niether awake, nor in a sleeping daze

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

In happiness nor in sorrow, am I
Neither clean, nor a filthy mire
Not from water, nor from earth
Neither fire, nor from air, is my birth

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Not an Arab, nor Lahori
Neither Hindi, nor Nagauri
Hindu, Turk (Muslim), nor Peshawari
Nor do I live in Nadaun

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Secrets of religion, I have not known
From Adam and Eve, I am not born
I am not the name I assume
Not in stillness, nor on the move

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

I am the first, I am the last
None other, have I ever known
I am the wisest of them all
Bulleh! do I stand alone?

Bulleh! to me, I am not known

Translation Courtesy: Chowk.Com
Note: If someone knows of a store where I can buy this in the bay-area, please do drop me a comment with the name of the place and address.