This is a love song. About the truth of love being only in the here and now, not in calculations of the future. Here it features as a folk song from Rajasthan with the signature of Kabir's disciple Dharamdas. But the parable sketched out in this song is a famous Buddhist story as also a much-loved Quechuan tale from South America... perhaps bearing testimony to the power of the oral traditions, which transmit powerful stories and ideas with the rapidity of a jungle fire!
The story goes thus... Once upon a time there was a thick forest which caught fire. As the blaze spread rapidly, the animals and birds began to flee. One brave little parrot however, decided to stay. The tree that she lived on – rooted and helpless – urged her to fly away but she didn’t. She found a lake nearby, plunged into it, flew back over the raging fire and flapped her tiny wings. Two-three drops of water fell. She returned to the lake, plunged in, flew back and flapped her wings again. Another two-three drops of water fell. And so on and so forth… The fleeing animals and birds scoffed at her. Some were stupefied at her foolhardiness and asked, “What do you think you’re doing?” She turned to them and said, “I’m doing what I can.” The clouds rolled by and on them were the beauteous gods, lying back in resplendent indifference. One of the gods however spotted the parrot and was curious. He swooped down in the form of an eagle to observe the bird more closely. The parrot was now getting charred and scorched with its relentless efforts. The mighty god was moved to tears. The clouds thundered and burst with rain, sweeping across the forest and the fire went out.
Mahesha Ram ji belongs to Chhatangadh village near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, and represents the folk style of the Meghwal community, who are the traditional carriers of the poetry of many bhakti poets including Kabir, keeping it alive through a powerful oral tradition. Contact him at +91 99298-76095. Download Mahesha Ramji's music online here or buy on Amazon - Album 1 & 2.
Song Credits:
Tambura & Vocals: Mahesha Ram
Second Vocals: Bhage Khan
Kamaicha: Hakam Khan
Dholak: Anwar Khan
Matka: Sadiq Khan
Manjira: Remat Ram
Translation: Vidya Rao & Shabnam Virmani
Audio Credits:
Recording: P M Satheesh
Mixing: Shajit Koyeri & P M Satheesh
Mastering: Sreejesh G Nair
Music Editor: Amrit Pritam
Post production Studio Supervisor: Vimal Kumar TK
Location Sound Assistant: P.A.Laxman
Mixing & Mastering: Fireflys Post Sound, Mumbai
Production support in Rajasthan: Rahul Ghai, Mukhtiar Ali & family members
Collection: Kabir Project
Place of Recording: Pugal village, Rajasthan
Date of Recording: May 2006
किण संग करां स्नेह?
म्हारी हेलीए
किण संग करां स्नेह?
संगत भली धरमी साध री
संगत कीजे नरमल साध री
हेलीए
बांस उगो इण बाग में, थरक रही बन राय
आप जले औरां ने जाले, अग्नि घणी अंग माय
हेलीए
चंदन उगो इण बाग में, हरख करे बन राय
चंदन पास मैं जाऊं, आप चंदन होई जाय
हेलीए
दव लागो इण बाग में, पंछी रे बैठो आए
हमरे जलों पांख बहिरो, तम उड़ी परे को जाए
हेलीए
फल खादा रे पान बिरोडि़या, रमिया डालो डाल
तम जलो मैं उबरूं, जीवणो कितरीक बार
हेलीए
दव बुझयो झाड़ा मेटिए, दूधे बूठा मेह
कहत कबीर धरमीदास, नित नित नवलो नेह
साध = साधु
नरमल = निर्मल
थरक = डर से कांपना, थर्राना
राय = बड़ा, बढि़या
हरख = हर्षित होना, खुश होना
दव = वह आग जो वन में आपसे आप लग जाती है
पान = पत्ता
बिरोडि़या = बीट से गंदा किया
रमिया = आनंद करना
उबरूं = उबरना = छूटना, मुक्त होना
झाड़ा = झड़ी = लगातार वर्षा
मेह = वर्षा, झड़ी, बादल, मेघ
नित नित = प्रतिदिन, रोज़ रोज़
नवलो = नया, सुंदर, अनोखा, उज्ज्वल
नेह = स्नेह, प्रेम, प्रीति
Whom Should I Love, My Friend?
Whom should I love, my friend?
True seekers make good company
Seek the kinship of the pure in heart
A bamboo grew in this grove
And all the forest trembled
When it burns, it burns all else
There's so much fire in its body
A sandalwood grew in this grove
And delighted all the forest!
I go near that sandalwood tree
I become fragrant too
A fire lit the forest, a bird came and sat
The wingless tree cries:
I'm ablaze, I have to burn,
But you, winged one, should fly!
I ate your fruit, soiled your leaves
Played from branch to branch
Leave you to burn, and fly away?
You live and love but once!
The fire went out
The clouds rained milk
Says Kabir to Dharamdas
Every day my love is new
Translation: Vidya Rao & Shabnam Virmani
Kin Sang Karaan Sneh?
Mhaari heliye
Kin sang karaan sneh?
Sangat bhali dharmi saadh ri
Sangat keeje nirmal saadh ri
Heliye
Baans uge ina baag mein, tharak rahi ban raaye
Aap jale auraan ne jaale, agni ghani ang maaye
Heliye
Chandan uge ina baag mein, harakh kare ban raaye
Chandan paas main jaaun, aap chandan hoi jaaye
Heliye
Dav laago ina baag mein, panchhi re baithho aaye
Hamre jalon paankh bahiro, tam udi pare ko jaaye
Heliye
Phal khaada re paan birodiya, ramiya daalo daal
Tam jalo main ubrun, jeevano kitrik baar
Heliye
Dav bujhyo jhaada metiye, doodhe boothha meh
Kahat Kabir Dharmidas, nit nit navlo neh