Archive for 2009

[Updated 2018 - For 2011 see below]

Next year in November, it will be the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the illumined soul of my music and life. I am hearing of plans of celebrations all over the world ... But why wait until next year? Why not have a year long musical celebration??? I am diving right in, right now!!!

This week, I start with a beautiful poem by Bhai Gurdas, "Kal Taaran Gur Nanak Aaya" in Raag Bageshri. I have been singing this since the 1990s, and I had recorded this first in 2009. I re-recorded this in the past few days. There will be a lot more in the coming weeks ...

Thanks to Simer Chabbra for the Happy Gurpurab cover art.

Lyrics and Translation -

ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ
Sunee Pukaari Daatar Prabhu Guru Naanak Jag Maahi Pathhaaiaa
The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world.

ਚਰਨ ਧੋਇ ਰਹਰਾਸਿ ਕਰਿ ਚਰਣਾਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਪੀਲਾਇਆ

Charan Dhoi Raharaasi Kari Charanamritu Sikhaan Peelaaiaa

He washed His feet, eulogised God and got his Disciples drink the ambrosia of his feet.

ਪਾਰਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਪੂਰਨ ਬ੍ਰਹਮ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਇਕ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ

Paarabrahamu Pooran Brahamu Kalijugi Andari Iku Dikhaaiaa

He preached in this darkage (kaliyug) that, saragun (Brahm) and nirgun (Parbrahm) are the same and identical.

ਚਾਰੇ ਪੈਰ ਧਰਮ ਦੇ ਚਾਰਿ ਵਰਨ ਇਕ ਵਰਨੁ ਕਰਾਇਆ

Chaaray Pair Dharam Day Chaari Varani Iku Varanu Karaaiaa

Dharma was now established on its four feet and all the four castes (through fraternal feeling) were converted into one caste (of humanity).

ਰਾਣਾ ਰੰਕ ਬਰਾਬਰੀ ਪੈਰੀ ਪਵਣਾ ਜਗਿ ਵਰਤਾਇਆ

Raanaa Ranku Baraabaree Pairee Paavanaa Jagi Varataaiaa

Equating the poor with the prince, he spread the etiquette of humbly touching the feet.

ਉਲਟਾ ਖੇਲੁ ਪਿਰੰਮ ਦਾ ਪੈਰਾ ਉਪਰਿ ਸੀਸੁ ਨਿਵਾਇਆ

Ulataa Khaylu Piranm Daa Pairaa Upari Seesu Nivaaiaa

Inverse is the game of the beloved; he got the egotist high heads bowed to feet.

ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਬਾਬੇ ਤਾਰਿਆ ਸਤਿਨਾਮੁ ਪੜ੍ਹਿ ਮੰਤ੍ਰ ਸੁਣਾਇਆ

Kalijugu Baabay Taariaa Satinaamu Parhhi Mantr Sunaaiaa

Baba Nanak rescued this dark age (kaliyug) and recited ‘satinam’ mantr for one and all.

ਕਲਿ ਤਾਰਣ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਆਇਆ ॥੨੩॥

Kali Taarani Guru Naanaku Aaiaa ||23 ||

Guru Nanak came to redeem the kaliyug.

[from 2011]

"Guru Nanak" in Raag Bageshri:

Happy Gurpurab folks!!! I have been singing Bhai Gurdas' Vaar Kal Taaran Guru Nanak Aaya in Bageshree since the mid-90s. This weekend I made a recording of this shabad mixing in a country ballad style. Following is a copy of yesterday's recording. Feel free to listen, download, and pass along to friends and family.

Feb 16, 2011 Update
Here is my interpretation of this Vaar:

How fortunate am I
The supreme giver
has infinite mercy upon me
and sent for me none other
than my dear Guru Nanak
to be my guide

My Guru travels far
and learns from the learned
He is the wisest I've know
still he meets everyone
with a peculiar humility
strange to our world
How fortunate am I

And he teaches me
the way to learn by example
He travels many million miles.
And when his feet are washed
Particles of his noble ways
make sweet ambrosial nectar
a drop of which I get to drink
How fortunate am I

With that luminious drop
all fog starts to disappear
Himself my dear Guru shows me
there is no difference betwee
one who knows everything
and the mysterious one
that no one can fully fathom
How fortunate am I

This world of ours has
those of different religions
those of disparate social strata
some rich live the lives of king
others, paupers, just survive
they have all, in one drop.,
through his blessed vision
become ONE for me
How fortunate am I

At times when
everything looks dark
he lights my path
with the torch of the
mantra of truth, Satnam!
My dear Guru Nanank
has removed my darkness
How fortunate am I
How fortunate am I

Nov 25 Update:
Based on a request in the comments area, following is the notation for one of the guitar parts -- the actual notation is tough to read and play -- but this is a simplified version that works as well. Every two bars is one line of the shabad as follows:

Kal taaran Guru Nanak aayaa - 4
Suni Pukaar Dataar Prabh - 2
Guru Nanak Jag Mahe Pathayaa - 2
Charan Dhoye Rehraas Kar - 2
Charanaamrit Sikhaan Pilayaa - 2
(Rest of the verses repeats similarly)

On several previous occasions I have heard US presidents, including Presidents Bush and Clinton, give warm greetings on the birthday of Guru Nanak. This year, President Obama message on Diwali included a mention of Guru Hargobind Sahib and Bandi Chhorh Diwas:

Then we have the age old discussion whether Diwali is for Sikhs or not. Although most of the discussion around this topic is not worth spending time on, in my opinion, I did find an interesting article on sikhphilosophy.net of which at least one idea I wholeheartedly empathize with, and that is the first line of a shabad should not, in most circumstances be used as a refrain and sung repeatedly because it tends to change the central purpose of the shabad.

The author in the article gives us an example "ON DIWALI DAY Programmes at the Gurdwara I have often heard Raagis singing this shabad from Bhai gurdass Ji di Vaar -Diwali kee raat deeweh ballian ..." For more see http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-sikhi-sikhism/1008-diwali-ki-raat-deeweh-ballian-diwali.html

For this reason, I think it is incumbent upon us, those who sing Gurbani, and even more so for composers who have the privilege of arranging music to support Gurbani, to keep the central meaning of the shabad in mind while choosing refrains and doing the whole composition.

Popular compositions for beautiful shabads like Jo Maange Thakur, Paati Torai Maalini, Bhoolai Maarag Jineh Bataaya, and Lakh Khushian Patshaiyan use the wrong refrain -- the first line of the shabad. Incorrect repitition provides incorrect emphasis and tends to make us forget key words from the rahao which are closer to the central meaning of these shabads: Har jan raakhai, Bhooli Maalini, Simar manaa raam naam, and Ekas syon chit laye, respectively.

In the past few years this has been one of the leading guiding principles for Gurbani music composition (even ahead of nirdharit raag compositions). I have myself sung all these shabads using the wrong refrain; and now I have started singing all these shabads using refrains prescribed in the Guru Granth Sahib. And I have learned that the beauty of these shabads is far beyond than what I have been able to enjoy.

For this reason, even though the following rendition of Simar Manaa is not in Bilawal, I prefer the following composition over the next one by Bhai Harjinder Singh (Srinagar wale):

Simar Manaa:

Lakh Khushiyan:

Tu Tu Karta Tu Hua - This is a composition in raag deshkaar from 2009. It was published much later with Harjeet Mehndi singing it.

Lyrics - This is the 204th shlok of Bhagat Kabir in the Guru Granth Sahib (out of a total of 243). In addition, there are many shabads from Bhagat Kabir in the Granth Sahib.

ਕਬੀਰ ਤੂੰ ਤੂੰ ਕਰਤਾ ਤੂ ਹੂਆ ਮੁਝ ਮਹਿ ਰਹਾ ਨ ਹੂੰ ॥

कबीर तूं तूं करता तू हूआ मुझ महि रहा न हूं ॥

Kabīr ṯūŉ ṯūŉ karṯā ṯū hūā mujẖ mėh rahā na hūŉ.

Kabeer, repeating, "You, You", I have become like You. Nothing of me remains in myself.

ਜਬ ਆਪਾ ਪਰ ਕਾ ਮਿਟਿ ਗਇਆ ਜਤ ਦੇਖਉ ਤਤ ਤੂ ॥੨੦੪॥

जब आपा पर का मिटि गइआ जत देखउ तत तू ॥२०४॥

Jab āpā par kā mit gaiā jaṯ ḏekẖau ṯaṯ ṯū. ||204||

When the difference between myself and others is removed, then wherever I look, I see only You. ||204||

Notice, the first two "tu" have a nasal ending, not the third one.

My Translation:

Saying you you, I became you

Now everywhere I look, I see you

Reflection on March 16, 2021:

Saying "you, you!", I lost myself

Now everywhere I look, I see you

Shlok with prasangs (References)

tu tu karta tu hua, mujh main rahaa na hoo
jab apaa par ka mit gayaa, jit dekhoon tit too

ḳhabar-e-tahayyur-e-ishq sun na junūñ rahā na parī rahī

na to tū rahā na to maiñ rahā jo rahī so be-ḳhabarī rahī

Raam Kabira Ek Hue Hain Koi Na Sake Pechani - Kabir

Ishk-e-Maula Mar Tura Maula Kunad - Bhai Nandlal

1. madho, hum aisai tu aisaa
hum maile tum ujjal karte, jio pind de praana
nirgunare gun nahi koi, tum daan deo mehervana
hum murakh tum chatar siyane, tu sarab kalaa ka giaata?

2. tu mera pita tu hai mera maata
tu mera bandhap, praan sukh daata

also -

tu mera bandhap, tu mera bhraata

Bhai Darshan Singh
http://www.sikhnet.com/audio/too-too-karta-too-hooa-0

Kabir

Mera mujh meh kichh nahin, jo kichh hai so tera
tera tujh ko saumptai, kya laagai mera

jab hum hote, tab too naahi
ab too hee, main naahi

Guru Gobind Singh
Jimmi toohi, Jamaa tiigu

....
toohi toohi toohi toohi

Namdev

ਆਸਾ ॥

ਆਨੀਲੇ ਕੁੰਭ ਭਰਾਈਲੇ ਊਦਕ ਠਾਕੁਰ ਕਉ ਇਸਨਾਨੁ ਕਰਉ ॥
ਬਇਆਲੀਸ ਲਖ ਜੀ ਜਲ ਮਹਿ ਹੋਤੇ ਬੀਠਲੁ ਭੈਲਾ ਕਾਇ ਕਰਉ ॥1॥
ਜਤ੍ਰ ਜਾਉ ਤਤ ਬੀਠਲੁ ਭੈਲਾ ॥ ਮਹਾ ਅਨੰਦ ਕਰੇ ਸਦ ਕੇਲਾ ॥1॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

aasaa ||

aaneelae ku(n)bh bharaaeelae oodhak t(h)aakur ko eisanaan karo ||
baeiaalees lakh jee jal mehi hothae beet(h)al bhailaa kaae karo ||1||
jathr jaao thath beet(h)al bhailaa || mehaa ana(n)dh karae sadh kaelaa ||1|| rehaao ||

Aasaa:

Bringing the pitcher, I fill it with water, to bathe the Lord.
But 4.2 million species of beings are in the water - how can I use it for the Lord, O Siblings of Destiny? ||1||
Wherever I go, the Lord is there. He continually plays in supreme bliss. ||1||Pause||

Rumi

By day I praised you

and never knew it.

By night I stayed with you

and never knew it.

I always thought that

I was me--but no,

I was you

and never knew it.

Full poem: Seven Pearls

Tu Tu Karta - rumination.

Saying you you, I became you

Now everywhere I see, I see you

How do you become one with you?

By doing you you. Not by merely saying.

Saying is a metaphor for doing.

Doing you you, I became you

Now everywhere I see, I see you

Bulleh shah

Mitti da talboot banaake

Vich vad bainon aape

Aap leawey aap lejawey

Aape karan siyaape

Aape dhiyaan aape puttar

Appe banda maape

Bulleh shah jad murshadbmil jaye

Muk jaan sab siyaape

Aapna aap bachaa

Bande di rab zaat hai

Kapde di zaat rooh

kapde de which oh hai lukiya

kite which bande de tuu

aape bole aap bulaanve...

aape kare hu hu.....

Tu tu karta tu hua

Tu tu karta - Turde Ko turda mile - guru angad

Birds fly away

Main ik shikra yaar banaya- shiv kumar batalvi

Birds of a feather flock together

Only the one like Hari meets Hari

Tu tu karta - Kabir

Bulleh shah.

Ranjha Ranjha Kardi Ni,

Me'N Aapay Ranjha hoi,

Sado ni Me'N no Dhido- Ranjha,

Mano Heer Na Akho Koi,

Ranjha Me'N which Me'N Ranjhay Which,

Mayko'N Hor dhiyan na Koi,

Wakho Loko Heer Slati,

Kithay Aan Khaloi.

English Translation:

Repeating the name of Ranjha

I have become Ranjha myself.

O call me ye all "Dhido-Ranjha,"

let no one call me Heer .

Ranjha is in me, I am in Ranjha,

no other thought exists in my mind.

I am not, He alone is.

He alone is amusing himself.

Ranjha Ranjha Kardi Hun Mein Aape Ranjha Hoyi

Saddu Menu De Do Ranjha Heer Na Aakho Koi

Ranjha Mein Wich, Mein Ranjhe Wichh, Ghair Khayal Na Koi

Mein Nahi, Aoh Aap Hai, Apni Aap Kare Diljoi

Jo Kuch Sade Ander Wasse, Zaat Sadi Soyi

Jis Dey Naal Mein Nunh Lgaya, Aoho Jesi Hoyi

Chitti Chadar La Sut Kurye, Pehn Faqeeran Loyi

Chitti Chadar Dagh Lakesi, Loyi Dagh Na Koi

Takht Hazare La Chal Bullehya, Sailyen Mile Na Dhoyi

Ranjha Ranjha Kardi Hun Mein Aape Ranjha Hoyi

Another transliteration

ranjha ranjha kardi hun main aape ranjha hoyi

sakhiyo ni mainu dheedo ranjha heer na aakho koyi

ranjha main vich main ranjhe vich gair khayal na koi

main nahin oh aap hai apni aap kare dil joi

jo kujh saade andar wasse zaat asaan di soi

jisde naal main neho lagaaya ohde wargi hoi

chitti chaadar la sitt addiye pehan fakeeran di loyi

chitti chaadar daagh lagesi loyi nu daagh na koyi

takht hazaare lai chal 'Bulleya' syaali mile na dhoyi

ranjha ranjha kardi hun main aape ranjha hoyi

Translation and another transliteration

Repeating my beloved Ranjha, Ranjha.

I have become mysell Ranjha;

Call me now as ‘Dhido Ranjha ,

Not by the name of Heer but Ranjha.

Ranjha in me, I in his heart,

None else is there on lines! chart;

I am not T, he all in all,

And he himself would come, console.

Whatsoever is seen in me,

My caste and creed is not of me,

For I, with whom, knitted in love,

Transmuted me into his Love.

Now put aside the sheet in white.

Put on the beggar’s gown ablight;

Whitish garments would be stained,

No stain can stick to gown restrained.

Sado ni menoon dhedo ranjha, heer na aakho koii

Ranjha main wich, main ranjhe wich, hor khial na koii

Main nahin oh aap he, apni aap kare diljoii

Jo koii sade ander wasse, zaat asadi so ee

Hath khondi mere agge mango, modhe bhora loii

Bullah heer slati wekho, kitte ja khaloi

Jis de naal main nionh lagaya, oho jehi hoyi

Takhat hazare le chal bullah, sialin mile na dhoii

https://youtu.be/vPFSqlT1l58

https://youtu.be/4Cy7gaHpVcQ

https://youtu.be/h5LOb_Jg8JA

Long recordings of Tu Tu KARTA -

Bhai Devender pratap

https://youtu.be/yqFSBtwjPHs

Bhai Laal ji

https://youtu.be/hsAHf5HXQwE

DUI ka tazkira

More on Raag Deshkar

Jhana nana Jhana nana baje (Deshkar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewvQt8W10zo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY9NDBOA1io
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzJX-1OhcuI

My Translation:

Shlok with prasangs (References)

Kabir

Namdev

Rumi

Long recordings of Tu Tu KARTA -

More on Raag Deshkar

SHIVPREET SINGH

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