- cross-posted to:
- music@beehaw.org
- cross-posted to:
- music@beehaw.org
Chhaap Tilak Sab Chheeni, is a Kafi written and composed by Amir Khusro, a 14th-century Sufi mystic, in the North Central Indian language of Braj Bhasha.
Due to the resonance of its melody and mystical lyrics, it is frequently heard in Qawwali concerts across Indian Subcontinent.
Chaapp Tilak Sab Chheeni is considered as Amir Khusru’s most known Kalam which is basically a penned version of his imagination of devotion and the joy of oneness with the eternal one.
This poetry is an epic example where an inherent middle eastern art form gets entangled with the Indic philology, custom and art a unique twist between the two artforms.
This kind of devotion is rarely seen in Islamic ghazals and qawwalis preceding it. This poetry is a great example of the role both cultures played to create this Ghazal and Qawwali which has a unique essence combining both Indic and Islamic culture which inherently created a new unique art form which contributed to the early beginnings of the Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb culture to be developed.
The theme of the composition, being the absolute power of a mere glance from the Divine, is a central theme in Sufi mystic literature.
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan the singer here is THE man in music in the subcontinent.
His performance of Allah Hoo was a mainstay of my listening habits for a few months
Oh that’s another great one. His version my dad had on cassette in his car when I was a kid I remember. Used to hate it as a kid.
Thr sabri brothers are better known for that. Another legendary duo
THIS VERSION IS MORE CLASSICAL AND A DIFFICULT LISTWN FOR THE INEXPERIENCED.
For an easier listen: Another great performance by two more legends. The man in this performance being the son if the other singer.
This version is intended for the more modern Pakistani ear and so is more palatable to people not yet familiar with the style of music.
Translation:
You’ve taken away my identity (prayer callus, zabiba, tilak, tika), and everything from me by looking into my eyes.
You’ve said the unsaid (agam = secrets of divine nature), just by a glance.
By making me drink from the furnace of love.
You’ve intoxicated me by just a glance;
My fair, delicate wrists with green bangles on them, You have held my wrists tightly with just a glance.
I give my life to you, Oh my cloth-dyer, You’ve dyed me like yourself, by just a glance.
I give my whole life to you Oh, Nizam (Nizamuddin Auliya)
You’ve made me your bride, by just a glance.
You’ve said the wonder, by just a glance.