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The qawwali translations: Rung – Amir Khusro

// November 6th, 2004 // Poetry, Qawwali

Amir khusro needs no introduction, and neither does rung- one of his more famous works. Conventionally sung as the last piece in a qawwali gathering.
Rung talks, like so many of his other writings about Amir Khusro’s life-long association with his pir/spiritual guide, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auwliya [Photographs from the shrine of Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro, Delhi India]. Some commenters place this as one of his earliest works-when he was a young teenager who joined the ranks of the nizam’s order.

Aaj rung hai ai maan, aaj rung hai rii
Mere mahbub ke ghar rung hai rii
Is aangan mein aaj rang hai
Aimaan rung hai rii

Mohe pir paayo Nijamuddin Auliya
Jab dekhuun more sung hai rii
Ai maan rung hai rii

Nijamuddin Auliya jag ujyaaro
Jab dekhuun more sung hai rii
Ai maan rung hai rii

Main to aiso rung aur nahiin dekhii
Nijamuddiin

Des-bi-des main dhuundh phirii huun
Tora rung man bhaayo Nijamuddin

Today there is jubilation, mother;
see how colourful it is!
in my beloved’s house
see how colourful it is!
see the brilliance in the courtyard!
Today there is jubilation, mother.

I have located my mentor
Nizamuddin Auliya,
Whenever I look, he is with me, see!
O’ mother, how colourful it is today!

Nizamuddin Auliya,
makes the whole world bright.
Whenever I look he is with me, see!
O’ mother, how colourful it is today!

I have never seen such colour anywhere,
Nizamuddin.

I have travelled from land to land
and searched.
Your colour has captivated me,
Nizamuddin.

/David Matthews

Related posts:

1. Alt Music: Guftam Ke Raushan Az Qamar? A qawwali by Amir Khusrau in farsi
2. Chund gharian
3. Qawwalis
4. Walking the Mystic Alleys