AsāN is dedicated to the efforts of Goonj, an organization working relentlessly to provide ‘Rahat’ (relief) to the COVID 19 distressed. AsāN carries with it a fervent appeal to its viewers to contribute to Goonj’s ‘Rahat COVID 19’ Campaign.
Spirit of AsāN | असां
Shah Hussain steered clear of the world that is obsessed with making ‘heroes’ or ‘Godmen’ out of their need to ‘follow’. He belonged to the ‘malaamati’ sect which deliberately shuns ‘followers’ because they believe that following would create ego, which would deflect them from their spiritual path.
My Journey with AsāN | असां
In 2017, I had started a collaboration with Ankit Chadha, a young dastango, to work on a musical narrative on Sufi faqeer Shah Hussein. AsāN was my first composition. But destiny had other plans. Ankit Chadha passed away in May 2018.
AsāN was reborn in December 2018 when I came together with my Kabir festival co-artiste, Kathak dancer, Sanjukta Wagh, in a music-dance exploration called ‘Faqeer Nimaana’ which was based on the evocative poetry of Shah Hussein. AsāN was part of this piece.
This collaboration introduced me to two superlative musicians, Hitesh Dhutia and Vinayak Netke, who not only arranged the music but also played the guitar and the rhythm section respectively in the AsāN track.
Another collaboration followed. Alleyah Asghar, a very talented media and film professional, directed the Music video, and wore many other hats in the creation process.
Finally, destiny brought about the most defining purpose for AsāN. While plans for its launch were being made, COVID 19 struck! That is when Shah Hussein himself showed the way through his poetry.
He says, AsāN is about you, me and us.. about not putting ourselves on any pedestal… instead it is about communing with the divine from the spaces of our homes… about finding our sustenance within communities…about all of us dancing the dance of the universe (‘jhurmut’)
AsāN is dedicated to the efforts of Goonj, an organization working relentlessly to provide ‘Rahat’ (relief) to the COVID 19 distressed.
AsāN carries with it a fervent appeal to its viewers to contribute to Goonj’s ‘Rahat COVID 19’ Campaign.
AsāN | असां
Lyrics and Translation
Lyrics in Devnagari
असां
असां कितकूं शेख़ सदावणा
घर बैठियां मंगल गावणा
असां टुकर मंग मंग खावणा
असां ऐहो कम कमावणा
इश्क़ फ़क़ीरां दी टोहणी
ऐ वस्त अगोचर है जोहणी
असां तलब तेरी है सोहणी
असां हर दम रब धियावणा
असां अंदर बाहर लाल है
असां मुरशिद नाल प्यार है
असां ऐहो वणज वपार है
असां जीवनदेयां मर जावणा
कोई मुरीद कोई पीर है
ऐ दुनिया सब ज़हीर है
इक शाह हुसैन फ़क़ीर है
असां रल मिल झुरमुट पावणा
बोल : शाह हुसैन (पारंपरिक)
Lyrics in English
AsāN KitkuN Sheikh Sadaavana
Ghar BaitheyaN Mangal Gaavana
AsāN Tukar Mang Mang Khaavana
AsāN Aiho Kamm Kamaavana
Ishq FaqeeraN Di Tohni
Ae Vast Agochar Hai Johni
AsāN Talab Teri Hai Sohni
AsāN Har Dum Rabb Dhiyaavana
AsāN Andar Baahar Laal Hai
AsāN Murshid Naal Pyaar Hai
AsāN Aeho Vanaj Vapaar Hai
AsāN JeevandeyaaN Marr Jaawana
Koi Mureed Koi Peer Hai
Ae Duniya Sab Zaheer Hai
Ik Shah Hussain Faqeer Hai
AsāN Ral Mil Jhurmut Paavana
Lyrics : Shah Hussain (Traditional)
Translation
Why call me a learned scholar
I sit in my home and commune with the divine
I beg for bread to fill my stomach
These are my deeds
Passion is the faqeer’s walking stick
It is something beyond the perception of the senses
I pine for you, my beloved
Every moment, I meditate upon the divine
Lal is both inside and outside of me
My murshid is my beloved
My only occupation is
To die while still alive
Some are seekers, some the master
We are all allies in this world
Shah Hussain is a faqeer
Together we dance in this ‘jhurmut’ (dance of the universe)
The ‘us’ of AsāN | असां
Composition & Vocals | RADHIKA SOOD NAYAK
Guitar | HITESH DHUTIA
Tabla & Duff | VINAYAK NETKE
Bass | ADI MISTRY
Lyrics | SHAH HUSSEIN (Traditional)
Music Production | HITESH DHUTIA & VINAYAK NETKE
Recording & Mixing | JAINIL NAYAK
Album Art | RAJEN JOSHI
Photography | ALLEYAH ASGHAR & IHJAZ AZIZ
Recording & Mastering | EMSQUARE STUDIOS
MUSIC VIDEO
Video Director |
ALLEYAH ASGHAR
Producer | ALSO |
Ideas. Content. Design
Executive Producer | KAMAL SINGH
DoP | IHJAZ AZIZ
A.D. & Additional Camera |
MAYANK SINGH
Editor | MALHAR SALIL
Colorist | BHUMIT GUJAR
Line Production | GANESH LANGDE
Costume & Styling | ALLEYAH ASGHAR
Audio Launch Partner | OKLISTEN
In Gratitude
Late Ankit Chadha
Sanjukta Wagh
Neil Mukherjee