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On your marks, set, GO!

I'm sitting alone staring at the "New post" screen without any idea of what to write about. And as I type these words, I wonder the need of publishing a new post when I don't have anything on my mind right now. But I think there is a reason. Lately I've found myself being short of inspiration. You know the phase when your mind is absolutely blank? When you have nothing to accept and nothing to give. When you aren't looking forward to anything. When nothing really interests you and nothing manages to excite you. Some call it boredom, others call it a break. But I see it as an escape. An escape from the madly competitive race that life has to offer.

Worryingly though, we may sometimes start to find a sense of attachment with this phase. We find this escape soothing and peaceful. Social isolation becomes a blessing. Sitting idol becomes a hobby. And as you sit uninterested on your couch potato, you see the world around you engaged in constant activity. You see people running around trying to complete their minor tasks. You see bus drivers waving fists from the window as a speeding bike passes by. You see girls crying as their boyfriends break up with them. Soon enough, a smile trickles down the side of your lips as you think about the shallowness of our priorities. You ponder hard at why we spend our lives chasing things that won't make a difference in the end. You try to figure out the true purpose of life. Surely, life's purpose cannot be getting a degree or becoming CEO of a multi-national; for these things may well be rewarding enough, but making them a purpose of life seems far from convincing.

I've always seen life as a race with a circular track. We keep going round and round trying to leave our opponents behind, only to finish at the starting line to start off all over again. Some die midway and their places are taken by new competitors. Infact, everyone dies somewhere in the middle of the track and is replaced by another sprinter. Hence there is nothing special in being part of this race and there's nothing special in being ahead of everyone else either. Especially if we ignore the true purpose of life and get obsessed with our position in this race. Simply because all that we're doing is going back to starting line to start off all over again (this time with a new equally shallow task). What then is the purpose of life?

(Contd)

Poem: Irani Restaurant Instructions

The poet Nissim Ezekiel‘s 1972 poem “Irani Restaurant Instructions,” which recalls that harsh signage, is often quoted, but bears repeating; it sums up the brisk, yet welcoming essence of the Iranian cafe:

Please
Do not spit
Do not sit more
Pay promptly, time is invaluable
Do not write letter
Without order refreshment
Do not comb
Hair is spoiling floor
Do not make mischief’s in cabin
Our waiter is reporting
Come again
All are welcome whatever caste
If not satisfied tell us
Otherwise tell others
GOD IS GREAT.

A letter to the President

Are you having a good holiday Mr. President? While you are away traveling Europe, I thought I’d be a good citizen and let you know about the latest that is happening in your country.

I know you left just two days ago but it seems you were never here. Perhaps a national address would have been nice before you left – you had plenty of reasons to speak to us, don’t you think?

Have you ever had that nightmare when something is after you and when you feel you’ve finally dodged it and can now take a quick breather, all of a sudden something else starts chasing you? No? Don’t worry, I’ll tell you all about it in this letter.

But before I tell you that, do tell me how you stuck to your plan of visiting Britain despite the country’s PM saying that Pakistan must not be allowed to “promote the export of terror whether to India, whether to Afghanistan or to anywhere else in the world.”

Ouch. And still you went. Chances are you’ll shake his hand and pose for a few pictures too. I’m glad you don’t keep grudges – especially against those who say very irresponsible things regarding your country – and then further reiterate them by saying they will not take their words back!

Anyway, that took me away from the nightmare. I’d like to go back to what we were talking about. Yes, so while I clicked on some pictures of you smiling with Nicholas Sarkozy, your children along your side, I also happened to come across pictures of some other families. They weren’t well-dressed and neither were they in France. They were crying, sitting in various parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. But then again, they are just a statistic right? I am not sure what the death toll was when you left but it has now crossed 1,400, with over three million affected. I understand discussing diplomacy and terror strategies are important but what about these people, sir? Are they really just a statistic for you? People with homes swept away and children drowned, can’t just be statistics.

So while bridges are collapsing and dams are bursting, tell me what you are doing Mr.President? I hear you’ll be visiting Normandy too. What’s that like? I’ve never been and chances are neither has 90 per cent of your nation. Perhaps a field trip at some point would be nice? Or maybe just ensuring food and water for your people would be enough for now – Normandy can wait.

You must have heard about the plane crash. In fact you sent some of your government leaders such as Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Interior Minister Rehman Malik in a helicopter to view the crash site – I didn’t see you there but that’s okay. I am sure you must have said a prayer for the victims that night. Anyway, so that’s a part of Pakistan’s nightmare too – 152 lives gone in an instant.

And tell me a bit more about this WikiLeaks scenario? Once again people started at us – between me and you sir, do you think any of those reports were true or are the ‘others’ just out to get us? I don’t know much about all this. I can only read about it, maybe ask my father or my boss but I’m curious to know what you think.

Following the chain of tragedies, here is another one. MPA Raza Haider was killed last night. He was in a mosque when our favourite enemies, “the unknown gunmen”, came and shot him. Don’t worry sir, Rehman Malik has once again promised us that there will be an investigation and the culprits will be bought to justice. Malik said that this is because someone is trying to destablise the country. Once again Mr. President I want to know your take on that. I don’t mean to be rude to Malik but frankly I am a bit tired of his false promises.

Karachi went mad last night. Anger blazed out of its buses and gas stations. Firing kept so many awake last night that they didn’t even need to fall asleep to have a nightmare! I am glad you weren’t in town otherwise you would have been pretty disturbed as well. At least we know you are safe and sound with your children in France.

I must get back to work now Mr. President and I am sure you must be traumatized enough after reading about all this. I really hate being the bearer of bad news but I promise you, the day I hear something good or see something positive, I’ll type out another letter to you. Until then, sleep well.

Best regards.

Shyema Sajjad is the Deputy Editor at Dawn.

http://blog.dawn.com/2010/08/03/while-you-are-perpetually-away…/

CS 3, EP5 (Lyrics and translations)

Ae Wattan Kay Sajeelay Jawanon

Amanat Ali

Ae wattan kay sajeelay jawaanon
(Repeat)
Meray naghmay tumharay liay hain
(Repeat)
(Repeat 1 & 2)
Sarfaroshi hai imaan tumhara, jurraton kay parasdaar ho tum
(Repeat)
Jo hifaazat karay sarhadon ki, woh falak bos deewar ho tum
Ae shujaat kay zinda nishanoon…
Meray naghmay tumharay liay hain
(Repeat)
(Repeat 1& 2)
Meri o maon behnon ki nazrain tum ko dekhain tau yoon jagmagain
Jaisay khamoshion ki zubaan say dey rahi hon woh tum ko duain
Qaum kay ay jaree pasbaano…
Meray naghmay tumharay liay hain
(Repeat)
(Repeat 1 &2)
Ae wattan


Nawai-Ney

Tina Sani

Sunn kay ney kehti hai apni daastaan
Listen to the reed flute
Dard-e-hijran say hui hai noha-khwan
How it tells a tale complaining of separation
Kaat kar laye ney-sitaan say yahaan
Saying, "Ever since I was separated from the reed bed
(Repeat)
Mard-o-zann meri nawa say khoonch-kaan
my lament has caused man and woman to moan
Jo bhi apni asal say hoga judaa
I want a bosom torn by severance
Hoga vasl-e-khish uss ka muddaa
that I may unfold the pain of love desire
Yeh nawai ney…
Yeh nawai ney ussi kay dam say hai
'Tis the fire of Love that is in the reed
Zindagi ki leh ussi kay dam say hai
'Tis the fervour of Love that is in the wine”
(Repeat)


Manzil-e-Sufi

Sanam Marvi

Mullah maar na mein kojhri koon
O pious one, do not hit me
Meinkoon apna yaar manawan dey
Let me appease my Friend
Kanjri bann key saadi izzat na ghadti
By becoming a dancing girl, I won’t lessen my esteem
Sanku nach key yaar manawan dey
Let me pacify Him by dancing
Joggan theesaan yaar dey pichchon
I became a mystic for my Beloved
Saankoon gal vich maalra pawan dey
Let me put the holy thread in my neck
Ghulam Farida, ondhi oo jaanay
Farid, He will know of himself
Saankoon apni taur nibhawan dey
But let me maintain the old rites
Mein taa koi khayal
I am just a thought
(Repeat)
Hun mil saa naal khayal dey
Let the thought become a reality
Mein taa koi khayal
I am just a thought
(Repeat)
Mein deedar, deedar mein vich
By merely looking at Him
(Repeat)
Pehrum wais wisaal
Him and I became one
(Repeat)
Hun mil saa naal khayal dey
Let the thought become a reality
Mein taa koi khayal
I am just a thought
(Repeat)
Sachal such karain da zaahir
The Lord will make all apparent
(Repeat)
Allah kaan kataal
I pray to my Lord
(Repeat)
Hun mil saa naal khayal dey
Let the thought become a reality
Mein taa koi khayal
I am just a thought
(Repeat)


Soz-e-Ishq

Abida Parveen 

Ho… Maula
O my Master
Unhad taun ahad hoya
When the invisible revealed himself
(Repeat)
Ahmad naam dharay hu
He changed his name from Ahad (the One) to Ahmad (the commendable Prophet)
Dau jag nu roshan karkay
By illuminating this world and the world after
Bahu naam saraya
Bahu, who was hidden, also came forth
Ho Allah, Maula
Allah, My Master
Meray ghar aaya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Wahu wahdat keena shor
(And when he revealed Himself), my heart could hear the din even within
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Wahu wahdat keena shor
(And when he revealed Himself), my heart could hear the din even within
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Jo dum ghaafil so dum kaafir
The one who is unaware is equal to one who is a non-believer
Sakun murshid ae parhaya hoo
My spiritual guide taught me this
Sunniya sukh-khann gayyan khul akhiyaan
My eyes opened from devotion
Asaan chit maula wal laya hoo
I have betrothed my life to Him
Keeti jaan hawalay rabb dey
I have devoted my life to him
(Repeat)
Aisa ishq kamaya hoo
I earned such love
Marran theen aggay marr gaye Bahu
That I realized what death is even before dying
Taa matlab nu paya hoo
And so discovered the eternal truth
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Wahu wahdat keena shor
(And when he revealed Himself), my heart could hear the din even within
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Maula... Maula...
Ali… Ali…
My Protector…
Ali…
Ghaus quttab hin urray urray ray
Ghous and Qutab would not come to the levels set
(Repeat)
Aashiq jaan agairay hoo
But lovers go beyond that
Jairhi manzil aashiq pohanchan,
The levels that lovers reach
Othay ghaus na paawan phairay hu a
Ghaus is unaware of those
Ashiq wich visaal dey rehnday
Divine lovers remain in unification
Jinna la maqaani dairay hoon
For they reside every where yet nowhere
Mein qurban tinhan toon bahu
I can sacrifice myself for those
Jinnah zaat-o-zaat basairay hoo
Those who in His proximity
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Wahu wahdat keena shor
(And when he revealed Himself), my heart could hear the din even within
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Jab mein tha, tab hari nahin
When I was me, I couldn’t see Him inside
(Repeat)
Ab hari hai mein naahi
Now that He is apparent, I can no longer see myself anywhere
Jab andheeyara mitt gaya
When that veil of darkness was lifted
Deepak dhair ka mahi
There was no need to light a lamp
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Wahu wahdat keena shor
(And when he revealed Himself), my heart could hear the din even within
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Mein hoon putli kaath ki, dorr piya key haath
I am a puppet, the strings in my Beloved’s hands

Naachut hoon mein prem say, jaisoon piya nachaat
I dance in a trance for my love, the way my Beloved wishes
Meray ghar aya piya humra
My Beloved has come to my abode
(Repeat)
Bullah shah aaya humray paas, murshid poojari aas diya
Bullah, He came and gave me hope
Maula, Ali, Yaari
My Protector
Ali


Jana Jogi DeyNaal

Rizwan & Muazzam

Ni main jana jogi dey naal
I want to go with the Jogi (the Devoted)
Jogi naal jana jana
Go with the Jogi only…
(Repeat)
Ni main jana jogi dey naal
I want to go with the Jogi
(Repeat)
Kanni mundraan paakay
Donning (the mystic’s) large earrings
Ni main jana jogi dey naal
I want to go with the Jogi
Jogi… jogi naal
With the Jogi…
Tar gaye jey main tar gaye lokon
People, I overcame every hurdle

Akh jogi naal lar gaye lokon
O people, my eyes locked with the Jogi’s
Mainu jogan di jogi aakho
Call me the Jogi’s devotee
(Repeat)
Hee rsalaity mar gaye loko
O people, Heer is no more
Ni main jana jog idey naal
I want to go with the Jogi
(Repeat)
Ranjha Ranjha kerdini main aapey Ranjha hoee
Calling out Ranjha’s name, I became Ranjha myself
Aakhoni menu teendo Ranjha, Heer na akho koi
Do not call me Heer, call me Ranjha
(Repeat)
Main nai ho aap hay apni aap karey diljoi
I am nothing, he is the sole consolation
(Repeat)
Jis dey nal mein neooh lagaya odhay warga horna koi
The one who I gave my heart to, he certainly has no parallel
(Repeat)
Saiyaan, jana jogi dey naal
Saeein, I want to go with the Jogi
Khairay karday kooriyaan gallan
The Khairays spread accusations
Jogi tey vairay sirr tey jhallan
But I will take on the blame for all those accusations
Hor kisay noo mein kujhnaa jana
I am not aware of anything or anyone else
Jaana tey jogi noo jaana
All I know is about the Jogi
Iss da paya kissay na paya
What he has attained, no one else can even come close to fathoming
Iss da hai do jug uttaysaya
He watches over this world and the world after
Iss diyaan dhoomaan do jug uttay ghummiyaan
He is famous here and in the hereafter
Iss diyaan juttiyan arsh nay chumiyaan
He has travelled to the heavenly skies
Ae jogi, jogi matwala
The Jogi, he is full of wonders
(Repeat)
Huth vich Ill-Allah di mala
In his hand he has the rosary with God’s name
(Repeat)
Naam hai iss da, ni naam hai iss da kamli wala
His name… the one who dons the black garb (shawl)
Ni mein jana jogi dey naal…
I want to go with the Jogi
(Repeat)
Jogi…
Jogi
(Repeat)
Jogi lutt laye Heer jogi
The Jogi has stolen Heer
(Repeat)
Meem da ghoonghat sir uttay paa kay naam apna Ahmad kahwa kay
With the veil of holiness (by remembering and praising God), he has earned the title of
Ahmed
Jogi lutt laye heer jogi
The Jogi has stolen Heer

I'm as made as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!

You probably don't need to do what he asked you to, but nonetheless I liked the initial part.

CLICK HERE => I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!