Ghazal Fifty-Two, Divan-i-Goya: Damanpreet Singh & Inni Kaur | Bhai Nand Lal | The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

Introducing Paigham-i-Goya: Expression of Love, new translations of a selection of ghazals from Bhai Nand Lal “Goya.” Today’s podcast begins with a recitation of Bhai Nand Lal’s ghazal in Persian, followed by a new English transcreation, the result of a unique collaboration between Dr. Fatima Fayyaz and Dr. Nadhra Khan of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Damanpreet Singh, writer, and graduate student, and Inni Kaur of SikhRI, followed by a discussion between Daman and Inni about the beauty of the ghazal and the transcreation process.

 

Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal. The unique and symbolic meanings that these ghazals reveal are a treat for those who yearn to get a glimpse into the court of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

 

Author: Bhai Nand Lal “Goya”

Collection: Divan-i-Goya

Transcreators: Fatima Fayyaz, Inni Kaur, Nadhra Khan, and Damanpreet Singh

Persian Narrator: Gholamhossein Sajadi

English Narrator: Ryan Gillis

 

Persian

ای کمالِ تو کمال است و کمال است و کمال
ای جمالِ تو جمال است و جمال است و جمال

ای که نزدیکی تو از شه رگ و عالم حیران
یارِ ما این چه خیال است و خیال است و خیال

من ندانم که کدامم که کدامم که کدام
بندهٔ اویم و او حافظِ من در همه حال

دلِ من فارغ و در کوی تو پرواز کند
گر زِ‌ راهِ‌ کرمِ خویش  ببخشی پر و بال

صاحبِ حال به جز حرفِ خدا دم نزند
غیرِ ذکرش همه آواز  بود قیل و مقال

مرشدِ کاملِ ما بندگی ات فرماید
ای زهی فالِ مبارک که کند صاحبِ حال

بی تو یک دم و نفس هست مرا همچو سال
این وبال است و وبال است و وبال است و وبال

هر که گوید تو چه باشی و چه گوید جز تو
گشت حیران همه عالم همه در عین جمال

 

English Translation

Such is our deep connection with You,
That only with Your arrival, there is exuberance in the world.

In Your pathway, I have spread out,
My eyes and my heart—the only worthy possessions I could offer.

Have some compassion for the Divine’s faqīrs! 
‍So that you may find bliss in this world.

Direct your heart towards the Divine at all times,
So you can cross the bridge of Sirāṭ with ease.

No one is at ease under the ever-turning sky,
So Goya, just move through this worn perpetual caravanserai.

 

~~~

 

Featuring: Damanpreet Singh, Inni Kaur

 

#BhaiNandLal #Ghazal #Persian #Ghazal #Sikhism #GuruGobindSingh

 

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