O Lal Meri Pat - Dama Dam Mast Qalandar
This has been one of my favorite nos. I have been humming this for years now. It has been a hot favorite with all singers, notably qawwals and these days the reality show contestants. Some of the known names who have lent their voice to this - Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Madam Noor Jehan, Wadali Brothers, Reshma, Sabri Brothers, Jagjit Singh, Runa Laila, Lata Mangeshkar, bands like Junoon and this list endlessly goes on. Many college bands have attempted this giving a rock flavour. That, one song could be so popular amongst so many, I wondered, what this song is all about, what's its true meaning. This and last week I spent looking for all the versions and answers to my questions. What a fascinating and satisfying journey it has been.
This song is in the honor of Sufi mystic 'Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar'. Every word of his name has a meaning - he was known as Hazrat ( prophet of GOD ), Lal ( he wore red robes or mothers fondly call their kids as Lal ), Shahbaz ( Shah - King and Baz - Falcon, king of falcons and an Iranian GOD who led them to victory, a divine spirit ), and finally Qalandar ( a qalandari - a sufi saint, poet, mystic, noble man ). He settled in Serwan ( Sindh, now in Pak ) and tried bringing peace between Hindus and Muslims. Hindus regard him as GOD and reincarnate as well. You can hear many Punjabi singers, singing in his praise. He is also fondly called as Jhulelal.
So the song goes like this :
O laal meri pat rakhio bala jhoole laalan, Sindri da Sehvan da, sakhi Shabaaz kalandar, Dama dam mast kalandar, Ali dam dam de andar
(O the red robed, May I always have your benign protection, Jhulelal (as he was affectionately called ). O, the lord,the friend and the Sire of Sindh and Sehwan ( or Serwan ),The red robed God-intoxicated Qalandar, The lord in every breath of mine, glory unto to you)
Chaar charaag tere baran hamesha, Panjwa mein baaran aayi bala jhoole laalan
O panjwa mein baaran, O panjwa mein baaran aayi bala jhoole laalan, Sindri da Sehvan da, sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, Dama dam mast Qalandar, Ali dam dam de andar
(Your shrine is always lighted with four lamps, And here I come to light a fifth lamp in your honor )
Hind Sind ( some also sing Ghanan ghanan ) peera teri naubat vaaje, Naal vaje ghadiyaal bala jhoole laalan, O naal vaje, O naal vaje ghadiyaal bala jhoole laalan
Sindri da Sehvan da sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, Dama dam mast kalandar, ali dam dam de andar, Dama dam mast Qalandar.
(Let your heroic name ring out in Hind & Sindh ( or lets the gongs bell loud ), Let the gong ring loud for your glory day and night by the people ( ghariyal - watchman, symbolism of night )
Har dam peera teri khair hove, Naam-e-ali beda paar laga jhoole laalan, O naam-e-ali, O naam-e-ali beda paar laga jhoole laalan, Sindri da sehvan da sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, Dama dam mast Qalandar, Ali dam dam de andar
( O Lord, may you prevail everytime, everywhere, I pray of oyur well being, In the name of Ali, I pray to you to help my boat cross (the river of life) in safety)
After learning the meaning, the fondness for this song has grown multifold. I have attached clippings of various singers. You will thouroughly enjoy all the renderings. I have a special mention for the one from Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from his young days and the young Abida Parveen.
------------
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – see music breaking religious barriers – See the Sikhs getting intoxicated with this music
Madam Noor Jehan – See the class
Reshma – See the simplicity
Abida Parveen - See the divinity
Abida Parveen – In her younger days - truly majestic
Band Junoon – See the contemporary
College of Wooster students – popular amongst students – hear the band wow
Shrine of Saint himself - Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Sabri Brothers - favorite of qawwals
See this – awesome – Janice Miller an American singing for Jagjit singh – see even Jagjit singh dancing - what a video
Lord belongs to everyone - Sindhi dhamal gathering - lighter note
Qalandari Dhamal – Gulbahar Bano, Saraiki
This song is in the honor of Sufi mystic 'Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar'. Every word of his name has a meaning - he was known as Hazrat ( prophet of GOD ), Lal ( he wore red robes or mothers fondly call their kids as Lal ), Shahbaz ( Shah - King and Baz - Falcon, king of falcons and an Iranian GOD who led them to victory, a divine spirit ), and finally Qalandar ( a qalandari - a sufi saint, poet, mystic, noble man ). He settled in Serwan ( Sindh, now in Pak ) and tried bringing peace between Hindus and Muslims. Hindus regard him as GOD and reincarnate as well. You can hear many Punjabi singers, singing in his praise. He is also fondly called as Jhulelal.
So the song goes like this :
O laal meri pat rakhio bala jhoole laalan, Sindri da Sehvan da, sakhi Shabaaz kalandar, Dama dam mast kalandar, Ali dam dam de andar
(O the red robed, May I always have your benign protection, Jhulelal (as he was affectionately called ). O, the lord,the friend and the Sire of Sindh and Sehwan ( or Serwan ),The red robed God-intoxicated Qalandar, The lord in every breath of mine, glory unto to you)
Chaar charaag tere baran hamesha, Panjwa mein baaran aayi bala jhoole laalan
O panjwa mein baaran, O panjwa mein baaran aayi bala jhoole laalan, Sindri da Sehvan da, sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, Dama dam mast Qalandar, Ali dam dam de andar
(Your shrine is always lighted with four lamps, And here I come to light a fifth lamp in your honor )
Hind Sind ( some also sing Ghanan ghanan ) peera teri naubat vaaje, Naal vaje ghadiyaal bala jhoole laalan, O naal vaje, O naal vaje ghadiyaal bala jhoole laalan
Sindri da Sehvan da sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, Dama dam mast kalandar, ali dam dam de andar, Dama dam mast Qalandar.
(Let your heroic name ring out in Hind & Sindh ( or lets the gongs bell loud ), Let the gong ring loud for your glory day and night by the people ( ghariyal - watchman, symbolism of night )
Har dam peera teri khair hove, Naam-e-ali beda paar laga jhoole laalan, O naam-e-ali, O naam-e-ali beda paar laga jhoole laalan, Sindri da sehvan da sakhi Shabaaz Qalandar, Dama dam mast Qalandar, Ali dam dam de andar
( O Lord, may you prevail everytime, everywhere, I pray of oyur well being, In the name of Ali, I pray to you to help my boat cross (the river of life) in safety)
After learning the meaning, the fondness for this song has grown multifold. I have attached clippings of various singers. You will thouroughly enjoy all the renderings. I have a special mention for the one from Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from his young days and the young Abida Parveen.
------------
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – see music breaking religious barriers – See the Sikhs getting intoxicated with this music
Madam Noor Jehan – See the class
Reshma – See the simplicity
Abida Parveen - See the divinity
Abida Parveen – In her younger days - truly majestic
Band Junoon – See the contemporary
College of Wooster students – popular amongst students – hear the band wow
Shrine of Saint himself - Lal Shahbaz Qalandar
Sabri Brothers - favorite of qawwals
See this – awesome – Janice Miller an American singing for Jagjit singh – see even Jagjit singh dancing - what a video
Lord belongs to everyone - Sindhi dhamal gathering - lighter note
Qalandari Dhamal – Gulbahar Bano, Saraiki
Comments
Do you have an idea who has written this song?
Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting on it. I, however don't agree with your view.
Your and my views don't take away the majesty of the song. So just savor it.
Regards
Thanks,
Yogi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se4AFa0Vx9Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIyrlTwEuYY
Saritha
Plagiarism is easily caught in an increasingly connected and digital world. One should always credit the original source.
Good work in bringing all the videos together though!
Best wishes,
Naresh
Thanks,
Shekhar
may god bless u i was searching for the correct meaning to tell ma lil brother about teh song
thanks a lot
is tarah wo zayada jaldi samjega
take care
Khuda Hafiz
I haven't translated this myself. Like many of you, I was interested in meaning of this song and researched on it for couple of weeks and wrote what was most appropriate. I don't think this is a serious work of research/writing and should not be viewed that way.
It has been written for pleasure and my own satisfaction. I do see that some of you have benefited and thats good enough.
Thanks
Nice post...i just love that song.
thanks to u when ever i'll sing that i mind the meaning..
Keep my honor
Dancing with mysticism
Ali is in every breath of mine
O' mystic, you are everyone's friend
Your name is Ali
Take my boat across troubled waters
King of the stars hugged you
Colored you with the colors
That you could take away troubles
Your name is Ali
Pls. waken my sleeping fate
I've come to your shrine
Holding your trellis with my desires
Your name is Ali
Pls. hear my prayers
I'm dying with griefs
Nobody belongs to me except you
Well, I agree with Priya's post...
Good Work Done..Thank you
Although I can understand some common words, I've been looking for the English translation of Dam Mast lyrics. Today finally found it.
THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH!
"ali dum dum de ander"
new version says
"ali da phela number"
how is this song hindu if we support shias on ali being the first caliph.
i am a hindu and sindhi and respect muslims but sunnis not shias
so why are sindhi hindus supporting muslim shias ?
hindus all over the world stop creating demi gods and concentrate on vishnu and shiva
Chanced upon this post as I was looking for a translation to this song.
Thanx for this amazing post. Loved the collection of videos too.
With Warm Regards,
Ajith
Please join her fan page at www.facebook.com/shwetasubram
Regards
Great work, but I am afraid the song is about two lals of sindh ... Jhulelal the hindu community god of sindh and mast qulander ..the sufi saint.
They are not the same as mentioned in ur blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuMNuhpXnc0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPnnYpA7DeI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKbGVgLKrQ
2 points
1. This is a sindhi folk lore song and one of the word is mis interpreted. laal/lal in sindhi- can be translated to beloved/dearest
2. I concur with priya's interpretation.
Try it out with those interpretations.
Yes it is your blog and your viewpoint.
but you have it open for people to post their comments and view points, so there is no need to make this a forum for dialog by responding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOyU_Ig1rWk
Ashraf
It was a great pleasure and a surprise to see your blog. Very scholarly. I am a person who believes in Sufism. In fact I am born and brought up in a family of Sufi believers.
I will be reading your blog one by one. I am sure it is going to be a great pleasure.
I am writing a blog too. Please do visit my blog http://yogavashisht.blogspot.in/
Once again I must compliment you for doing such a great job. My regards .... Ram
This post is priceless.
A great collection of all the versions of this amazing song, which is more like an experience.
Thanks.
This post is priceless.
The collection of all these performances at one place is a real treat.
Thanks again.
I TOO LIKE THIS SONG BY APPRECIATED SANAM MARVI AND YOU REVEALED THE MEANING, SO ITS GOOD ONE OF YOUR'S.
AND GUYZ WHO TOOK THIS SONG WRONGLY, I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU THAT THIS IS A SUFI PRAY SONG. ITS LIKE LOVE WHICH HAS DIFFERENT COLORS OF SAME SOURCE. SO NEED OF DIFFERENTIATING OR PARTITIONING
hitesh.tulsani@gmail.com
Thanks for the Enlightenment!
hitesh.tulsani@gmail.com
This song has a very deep meaning and as some one mentioned it is meant to convey a message of love of all humanity.
The song is popular, melodious,historical ,traditional and makes us think what nonsense can a man do to an ocean like river .I believe now it can be crossed by wading through in dry months.
Rita Ronita
Secondly, the song is actually talks about both, The ishtdeva of Hindu Sindhis, Lord Jhoolelal and, most revered saint of Sindhi Muslims, Lal Shahbaz Kalandar.
Spiritualy speaking, that is the beauty of the song that has made it the most listened, most recreated an, the consummate song. It is a true depiction of secularism and interreligious respect.
Priya - What nonsense! Can't you enjoy sufism without any religious bias? God is the same for all creatures on this planet and even others. Give up your shit! And for your kind information - I am a Hindu, who as read our scriptures well, along with Quran Shareef and guru Granth Sahib and at the basement they all are the same!
http://www.dawn.com/news/1100498
http://ajitvadakayil.blogspot.in/2013/12/dama-dam-mast-qalandar-prayer-to-sindhi.html
As I said forget Ram, Raheem, Jesus, Moses, Allah and all the rest. Imagine a God that loves you, that does not need anything from you, that does not care whether you pray, do good or bad, just loves you like you would your kids, unconditionally...except more. Love that God with your whole being. Do not fear for good or bad or what'll happen later. Do not hope for heaven, hell or rebirth. This is the one life you know about and in this life, love that maker, open your heart and live free.
Everything else will fall into its own place.
Thank you for sharing this....
1. Around what is now referred to as the province of Sindh, the Sudi rhought bloomed, flowered.
2. Mansur, Ibn Arabi, Mian Mir, Sarmad, and later Latif, Sarmast and others - all are connected with Sindh.
3. This song, originally dedicated to Mystic Sain Lal Shahbaz Qalandar has over the time got associated with Udero Lal, the Mysterious Saint who appeared to save the Hindus from the clutches of oppressor ruler adamant to converr them.
Both Shahbaz and Udero Lal are also referred to as Jhulelal, and both were contemporaries.
Hence, the confusion among some of the commentators. For Sindhis however, there is no confusion, for Shahbaz who was not native to Sindh also propagated the same message of love.
There are many more versions by, for instance, Bhagwanti Panjwani, where Udero Lal is more prominent than Shahbaz, and yet, they can interchange and assimilate very easily.
Indeed, many pple do not see any difference between the two.
To this day (at least until early 90s) the flag on top of the tomb of Shahbaz is od oranve color and many of the disciples wear orange, colour associated with sanyas, and nor the traditional green.
Jhulelal Bedaa Paar - Haqq Moujud
Laal ja jathi chau Jhulelal
love from Pakistan for you and the great parents who teach their children these values
Atif
https://youtu.be/eoz9gr9QYes
- Vasu
In Madam Noorjahan's, there is something like 'laqbaq sulla/bulla', what does that mean? Also, couldn't find Lara's rendition but Asha Bhosle's is there.
Thank you again.