Sadqay Tumhare

After a long time I found a show that made me smile! A Lot.

Its supposed to be one of the more popular shows right now but after watching the first 2 episodes I could not imagine anyone liking the hero! And put it down to nothing better to watch! BUT……..

This was quite a well done show mostly because of its simplicity and pureness of feeling. Also it was soooo far away from the trappings of the oh so modern glitzy world and movies of today. The protagonists were not well off at all. But nobody was angsty about it- like most people are not!

A lot of this show was quite alien to me- divorces, casual breaking up of families and remarriages  – is it really that common in Pakistan?  What happens in this story sounds totally crazy- its like the reshuffling of pairs- did/does that really happen? And everyone meets and greets like nothings unusual?

I have a huge grouse with the show though- according to me they totally ruined it in the last episode

Now this is supposed to be TRUE story about the writer, Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar

 but given the numerous references to divine intervention, sensing people, dreaming about peoples actions and portrayal of peoples inner thinking- I for one and fairly skeptical about the claim.

And if artistic liberty was taken- they should have just continued it to the end – right? Its totally like they ran of steam and wanted to just finish it off!

Mahira Khan is an old favorite- from  Humsafar. Did her job fabulously but did not look like a 17 year old!

Adnan Malik was a new find- portrayed the role very well. I knew nothing aboutt him and did not look him up till I had finished it. In the show he played the role of a Lahore boy with strong village roots- quite well. So it was a shock to find out he is like a Pakistani Karan Johar- uber sophisticated and into fashion- though not catty like him! Hosts MTV shows etc etc.  He apparently studied Film as Vassar and his acting job is even more commendable given he hasn’t acted for many years

 I find it interesting that so many of the leading ladies and men in Pakistan have their undergrad in the US or UK but go back to Pakistan to the media world.

I am really curious about what society is like in Pakistan actually is like. I know first hand what is and what is portrayed by the media/ shows/ internationally are so often so different (Yes I am an indian woman and yes I feel safe in India- but that’s my experience.)

My next watch is Slackistan-  seems like a snapshot of life in Islamabad- will write about it.

I don’t regret watching this show but unlike Humsafar and Zindagi will not give it an 2 thumbs up- the last episode made it give mejust a half thumbs up.

So now for what has become my Takiya Kalam I have translated the song for you. It’s absolutely lovely and a joy to hear. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Lg7CU7DwI

Its really quite interesting how I had heard all the words to this song earlier but its only when I am translating that I delve into the origins, the precise meanings etc- love it!

It’s sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan- classically trained and fabulous.

This song is pretty much equating love to an all consuming religious fervor.

A few comments before you read the translation:

The word “Hai re” means different things when used differently.  Sometimes it’s just an exclamation. It can be positive or negative.

It can be used as “Alas”: Hai re woh mar gaya: alas he has died.

In my translation I have used it as “Hai re = wow/ Sigh/ Oh” A word without much of a meaning but here it is positive exclamation, like a heartfelt sigh. It can be used romantically and it is in this song.

Now Sadqa:  complicated word- implies offering something to the gods (via fakirs/pirs) in the name of the person in questions. The ritual in hindus and muslims  both is to take something- many times money and wave it around someone’s head (clockwise) and then donate it.

Waari also means pretty much the same thing. Though in popular culture today its used more as sacrificing oneself for someone.

Shagan: probably derives from Shagun- which means good omen/tiding

ALERT***** I have to tell you- the meaning almost totally gets dissipated in the translation- it sounds inane rather than romantic. the beauty of the language and thr rhymes is what makes a song -  not just the meaning! Anyway- can't be helped :(

Sadqay Tumhare by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

English Translation of Lyrics of Sadqay Tumhare Song

Ishq pehle tha, ya aashiq pehle

Was love there first (exist first) or the lover

Aayen maashoq tau, aashiq behle

When the beloved comes then the lover is placated (calmed)

Ishq ke hath lage hain jab se

Since we have fallen into the hands of Love

Aise madhoosh phire hain tab se

We have roamed around intoxicated like this

Ishq dil ke dar pe yun aaya tha 

Love came to (knocked at) my heart’s door in such a way

Han aya tha ishq aya tha,

Yes he came, Love came

Sau ham nazar utarein

We cast off the evil eye a hundred times

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, (/Wow/ Sigh), I offer myself for you

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Tumhare, tumhare sadqay tumhare

For you, for you, offer for you

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you
Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan ishqan

I die over die over you, my Beloved, Beloved

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan
I die over die over you, my Beloved

Teri khushiyan manawan tere shagan manawan

I celebrate your happiness, I will celebrate your good tidings

Mein te jaan qurban karan

I will sacrifice my life

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan ishqan

I die over die over you, my Beloved, Beloved

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan
I die over die over you, my Beloved

Ishq ka aik hi wird hai

Love only has one chant (religious implication from sufi-ism)

Ishq mashooq ke gird hai

Love is close to the beloved

Ishq ka aik hi wird hai

Love only has one chant

Ishq mashooq ke gird hai

Love is close to the beloved

Kyun hai bechain ye tabiyat

Why do I feel so restless/edgy

Ishq hai ya ye dard hai

Is it love or is it pain

Is traha aaj mile hain sab se

I have met everyone is such a manner today-

Dhoondty hain kya hum aisa jagg se

What is it that I search for in the World

Ishq dil ke dar pe yun aaya tha 

Love came to (knocked at) my heart’s door in such a way

Han aya tha ishq aya tha,

Yes he came, Love came

Sau ham nazar utarein

We cast off the evil eye a hundred times

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Tumhare, tumhare sadqay tumhare

For you, for you, offer for you

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you
Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan ishqan

I die over die over you, my Beloved, Beloved

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan
I die over die over you, my Beloved

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan ishqan

I die over die over you, my Beloved, Beloved

Tere waari waari jaawan mere ishqan
I die over die over you, my Beloved

Subr ka naam tak na sunay

Refuses to hear the name of patience

Apna anjaam tuk na sunay

Refuses to hear it’s own fate

Subr ka naam tuk na sunay

Refuses to hear the name of patience

Apna anjaam tuk na sunay

Refuses to hear it’s own fate

Ishq ne kaan main kaha youn

Love whispered in my ear in such a way

Sun ke kuch bhi na hum rahe

That on hearing it I became nothing (got blown away)

Ishq ke mordh mure hain jab say

Since we have turned the turn to/of Love

Hosh hawaas uray hain tab se

I have lost my senses

Ishq dil ke dar pe yun aaya tha 

Love came to (knocked at) my heart’s door in such a way

Han aya tha ishq aya tha,

Yes he came, Love came

Sau ham nazar utarein

We cast off the evil eye a hundred times

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Tumhare, tumhare sadqay tumhare

For you, For you, offer for you

Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you
Haye re hum sadqay tumhare

Oh, I offer myself for you

Hope you enjoyed. Any insights into any of this- please let me know via comments!