Milkshaykh

Ustad Amanat Ali Khan -  Aa Mere Pyar Ki Khushbu

This is such a beautiful song by a great ghazal musician from Pakistan. The thing I love about ghazal music is that it is so poetic and a beautiful expression of love and separation. The poetry is so vague that some might think these singers are singing about lost loves and to some, to God since ghazal music is so entrenched in Sufism, the Islamic science of spirituality. Anyway, I translated this for one of my close friends (Naasirheyderi) few years ago, so here is the translation:

Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love, Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love, direct you to the destiny.

Walk, my partner, walk my partner

Beneath the shades of my tress. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love,

Let the fragrance of my love…

I shine like the Sun, but there is no sunshine within me,

There is no sunshine within me…
That burns one’s face, I don’t reach like the rays
I don’t reach like the rays…
That burns one’s sight. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love,

Let the fragrance of my love…

I am the star of the night’s Eye, I am the brightest ray of the Light

The brightest ray of the Light…
I live awake in the heart of the night, while the whole world sleeps
While the whole world sleeps…
When your memories slowly grab me right. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love,

Let the fragrance of my love…

You would have chosen me only, had you recognized

Had you recognized… 
Justly would you say, if I was a speck of dirt or a pearl,
A speck of dirt or a pearl?
My love will teach you (the difference).  Come, Beloved, the fragrance of my love.

Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love, direct you to the destiny.

Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love. Come, Beloved, let the fragrance of my love…