Year: 1990s
Singer: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Awesome music and sound quality. This qawwali has a more classical touch to it. There is a young, gifted voice in the chorus (Rahat Fateh Ali Khan?).
'Yaar Teri Pooja Karoonga' is a vibrant qawwali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I heard it for the first time yesterday. It is more classical than his other performances. Sound quality is good, like a studio recording. There is an exceptionally gifted voice of a young singer in the chorus. Is that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan?
The qawwali brought back memories of a couple who were considering marriage. The girl was angelic. I felt like telling the boy that he must keep her image in his heart with as much love and as much reverence as he would enshrine a figurine of a goddess in his home. That would be his journey towards great happiness for both. Yesterday, I smiled when I heard this qawwali because it captures precisely these sentiments.
The qawwali reminds me of the song Tumhi Mere Mandir, Tumhi Meri Pooja (1956, Khandaan, Lata Mangeshkar).
The word 'yaar' means 'beloved'. In Sufi compositions, this word is used for one's physical beloved, one's spiritual guide and also the Universe. Love for a physical person can be a bridge or a stepping stone to higher forms of love, where we love everything and everybody. In the West, the Greek word Agápe denotes spiritual or unconditional love.
References: (a) Love in Sufi Poetry by Matthew Kelley, Fountain Magazine, Issue 87, May - June 2012, (b) Wikipedia article on Agápe: Types of Love. Movie buffs would be delighted with this article because it lists movies and short stories showcasing each type of love.
Other compositions on the theme of absorption in one's beloved:
- Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas (1973, Blackmail)
- Teri Deewani (2006, Kailash Kher)
- Sanson Ki Mala Pe Simroo Main Pee Ka Naam (Meerabai, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan)
- Tu Is Tarah Se Meri Zindagi Mein Shaamil Hai (1980, Aap To Aise Na The)
Roman Script
Deen o Eemaan Tujh Pe Luta Ke
Yaar Teri Pooja Karoonga
Translation
after renouncing everything for your sake,
my beloved, I shall worship you.
Roman Script
Tu Mujhe Dekhe Na Dekhe, Main Tujhe Dekha Karoo
Translation
Whether you look at me or not, may I gaze at you.
Roman Script
Sab Ko Mera Salaam Tujhe Dekhne Ke Baad
Translation
I bow to everybody (wishing them well) after seeing you.
Roman Script
Dil Ke Muaamle Mein Kyu Dakhal Ho Kisi Ka
Translation
In matters of the heart, why let anybody interfere?
Roman Script
Mera Kaaba Hai Teri Hi Galiyan
Teri Chaukhat Ko Kaaba Bana Ke
Deen o Eemaan Tujh Pe Luta Ke
Yaar Teri Pooja Karoonga
Translation
My Kaaba is (simply) in the lanes reaching you.
By making your doorstep my Kaaba,
after renouncing everything for your sake,
my beloved, I shall worship you.
Roman Script
Aankh Ne Tujhsa Dekha Nahi Hai
Apni Aankho Mein Tujhko Bithaa Kar
Yaar Teri Pooja Karoonga
Translation
My eyes never saw anything like you.
With my eyes absorbed in you,
my beloved, I shall worship you.
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