"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love."
~Rumi~
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This week’s song has been written as well as composed by Kailas Kher, the acclaimed Sufiana singer. Kailas wrote this song as he stood besides his departing father. It is never to see easy to say good byes to near ones – but Kailas’s love for his father seems to landed him in the sublime territory. For such fortunate few, death ceases to be a cause of despair and transcends into a celebration. For them – as Kailas writes in this song – death is when the beloved comes home.
As we ruminate on the melody of this week’s offering Chowk puraavo, a few chosen words from the wise keep us company on the topic of death.
Do not lose the moment of sorrow, for it is precious, says Hafiz.
Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly Let it cut more deep. Let it ferment and season you as few human or even divine ingredients can Something missing in my heart tonight has made my eyes so soft my voice so tender my need of God absolutely clear. ~ Hafiz
To truly love, is to let go.
To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go. ~Mary Oliver
And can death take away the bonds built over many lifetimes?
Your body is away from me But there is a window open from my heart to yours. From this window, like the moon I keep sending news secretly. ~ Rumi
What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls it a butterfly - Bach
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you drink form the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance. - Kahlil Gibran
Chowk puraavo, Maati rangaavo
Aaj mere piya ghar aavenge
Khabar sunaau jo, Khushi reh bataau jo
Aaj mere piya ghar aavenge
Decorate the entrance with rangoli colors, Rejoice ! Do you know why? Today, my love is coming home!
Heri sakhi mangal gaau ree, Dharti ambar sajaao ree
Utregi aaj mere pi ki sawaari
Har koi kaajal laau ree, Mohe kaala teeka lagaao ree
Unki chhat se dikhu main re pyaari
Lachhmi ji vaaro, Nazar utaaro
Aaj mere piya ghar aavenge
Sing noble songs, my friend. Dress up the heavens and earth to celebrate His arrival. Waiting for Him on the terrace, I am feeling pretty! Someone fetch me kohl and put a black spot on my face*. Goddess of fortune, Lakshmi, bless me so I avoid an evil eye. * An Indian superstition of putting a small black dot / blemish on a pretty face. Believed to ward off spelss of bad luck
Rang se rang mile, Naye naye dhang khile
Khushi aaj ghar mere daale hai dera,
Peehu peehu papiha ratey, Kuhu kuhu koyal japey
Aangan aagan hai pariyon ne ghera
Anhad naad Bajaao re sab mil
Aaj mere piya ghar aavenge
As the colors interplay with each other to form novel patterns, happiness has found a home in my heart. With the koels are singing aloud with other birds in tandem, the angels are queuing up to enter our homes.
Strike the unstruck note, chant the soundless mantra (Om) – today, my love is coming home!
(Band)
Anhad naad Bajaao re sab mil (4)
Strike the unstruck note, chant the soundless mantra (Om)
