From Episode 2 of the Pakistani Coke Studio (Season 5, 2012). A ghazal adaptation of Khabaram Raseeda by lyricist Amir Khusrau (1253–1325 CE). Ghazals derive from Arabic poetry and declare spiritual and romantic love and longing. In the case of Khabaram Raseeda (lyrics below) the longing is for realisation of the divine in total absorption and surrender, in dying to oneself in the Sufi/ Yogic death-before-death. And thus our ego is washed away like embers of a beach fire on the shore, or demolished like sands on the wind. It is beautiful, tragic, endlessly creative. I like to think if there is an afterlife, the doors will one day fling open and this will be the devotional music which greets my ears.
Be my head sacrificed to the road along which you will come riding!
All the gazelles of the desert have put their heads on their hands
In the hope that one day you will come to hunt them….
The attraction of love won’t leave you unmoved;
Should you not come to my funeral,
you’ll definitely come to my grave.
My soul has come on my lips (e.g. I am on the point of expiring);
Come so that I may remain alive –
After I am no longer – for what purpose will you come?
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