Umeed Ki Kiran: Pakistan Elections 2013

Love to my homeland, Best wishes to Pakistan!

Vote Responsibly!

“Mein tou dekhoonga,Mein tou dekhoonga
Tum bhi dekho gye,Tum bhi dekho gye
Jab roti sasti hogi,Aur mehngi ho gi jaan
Wo din phir aayega Jab aisa, Hoga Pakistan

Mein tou dekhoonga, Mein tou dekhoonga
Tum bhi dekho gye, Tum bhi dekho gye
Jab rang barangay jhanday, Ik parcham mein ghul jaengay
Aur idhr udhr ko jaate rastay, Ik mod pay mil jaengay
Jab bachchay mulq pay raaj karein, Aur school mein bethain hon siyasatdaan
Wo din phir aayega Jab aisa, Hoga Pakistan”

Walk in the Park

Nothing like walking in the park with a great company when the spring starts. The sun rays rekindles new hopes in each of us, the air greets you with its fresh soft welcome message, the birds are cheerful and the people most calm and relieved

“Individuals are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their correct beauty is revealed only if there is a light from inside” ~Unknown

Mann Kunto Maula

“Mann Kunto Maula”, a part of a famous statement of the Seal of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him) which is, “Mann kunto maula, fa Ali-un Maula” – meaning ‘Whoever accepts me as master, Ali is his master too’.

The kalaam was performed beautifully by Abbas Ali Khan (exceptional vocalist from Pakistan). Lyrics with English Translation shared of this outstanding piece!

Shah-E-Mardaan, Shair-E-Yazdaan,
Qoowwat-E-Parwardigaar,
La Fata illa Ali,
La Saif illa Zulfiqaar

King of the brave, the Lion of God
The Strength for The Lord,
There is none like Ali,
There is no sword like Zulfiqaar

Man Kunto Maula
Khwaja Ali-Un Maula

Whoever I am master to,
Venerable Ali is his Master too.

(Abstract Sufi Chants follows)

Dara Dil E Dara Dil E Dar E Dani
Hum Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Om Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray
Yalali Yalali ala, Yala Ray
Tanana Tanana Tanana Tanana
Tum Tanana Nana, Tana Nana Ray…

Enter into the heart,
Enter into the heart,
Melt therein, You and me
Sing inside in sweet melody.

Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula

Master is Ali,
Master is he

Ali Shaah-e MardaaN, Imaam-ul-Kabiira
ke ba’d az Nabii shud Bashiir-un-Naziira

Ali is the king of men, the great spiritual leader,
Cause after the Prophet he became
the bearer of glad tidings and warner for mankind.*

Yeh soch na hi bass hae
Kaha haha hae Ali?
Jaha jaha hae haqiqat, uha uha hae Ali
Idhar hae Zaat e Muhammad
Udhar hae Zaat e Khuda
Ini lati huyi hizaboka darme aae Ali Maula,
Maula Ali Maula Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

This shall suffice if you realize
at which station is Ali.
Wheresoever inner reality to be found,
there will be found Ali.
There is the mystery of Muhammad,
Here is the mystery of Lord,
and sitting at the secret threshold
is my master Ali.

Her Qalb Ali, Jism Ali, Jaan Ali Hai
Mujh BeSar-O-Samaan Ka Samaan Ali Hai
Imaan Ka Matlaash E Ye Imaan Keh Doon
Iman To Yeh Hai Mera Imaan Ali Hai
Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula
Maula Ali Maula, Maula Ali Maula

In every heart Ali, face is Ali, my life is in Ali
My faith is this that I have my master Ali
Master Ali, Ali is the Master.

Fashion Fiesta

I got an opportunity to cover a fashion event of “Mass Exodus” few months back. It was the first assignment of its kind for me – a test drive. After numerous failed attempts while shooting in continuous mode, I managed to capture some good moments of the show with my old Oly.

Capturing the hues of blues and whites at one segment was fun. The lights on the stage helped to capture the purity factor.

Grandfather – Iqbal

Your grandparents are just the few genuine relationships that have been there for us since we were born and we love to seek their dua & love for us. They are a blessing, a guiding star and source of love & energy. Sharing a portrait of my grandfather “Maj Muhammad Iqbal Sarwar”. A retired army officer who experienced the Second World War (posted in Burma), 1965 Pakistan-Indian War (Fought the Battle of Chawinda – Sialkot) and few more conflicts. He has traveled far and wide and knows the nook and corner of the South Asia. Talking to him about his past life takes you to a trip back into the history and onto the streets of south asian region and the middleeast. A man of few words but wise ones. But love to tell the stories of his army days and I love to listen to them. I am blessed to have him around. May Allah bless him with health and happiness Ameen.

“A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart”

Hor Ve Neevan Ho

Allah’s Blessings, presence and love is always around us to help, guide us, bring us back to our senses when we stray away and set the right sense of direction. Allah’s significant presence can be experienced even in the most diminutive situations; In the form of shadow and shelter from the heat; in the form of heat in freezing temperatures and yet we continue to complain about the weather is just not right. He knows what is right and what is best which makes it even more simpler to follow His path. This takes me back to a scorching sunny day (and myself complaining as usual) and then I found shadow of coolness, tranquility and peace in the corridors of the Muhammad Ali Mosque…..

The title of this post is a Sufi Kalaam; I heard it first time when it was performed by a famous Pakistani Pop band “Noori”; The kalaam speaks of achieving an absolutely different level of humility; a level far beyond the humility we normally speak about. I believe its “limitless” ….. Sharing the Translation of the kalaam here. The video can be viewed in my previous post.

“Hor vi neevan ho
Bow your head even further down (in humility)
Hor vi neevan ho fakira
Fakir, bow your even head further down (in humility)

Uccha saroon gharoor mein
There is great pleasure in holding the head high in arrogance
Kaddi naa phall paiye, fakira
But, that pleasure will never be fulfilling

Hor vi neevan ho fakira
Fakir, bow your head further down (in humility)
Paiye gaa deedar sahib da
One day you will be bestowed with His presence
Hor vi neevan ho
Bow your head further down (in humility)

Ho rabba koi meray dil diyan kadraan pachanay
Lord, if only someone could understand the deliberations of my heart
Mein sawali jinna naeen koi sawal
I am a seeker who seeks nothing
Mein jogan ban dar dar phir diye
I am a wanderer, roaming from one land to another
Koi na meriyan, ramzaan pachanay
No one can unravel the secrets within me

Mein jogan ban dar dar phiriyaan way
I am a wanderer, roaming from one land to another
O koi na meriyan, ramzaan pachanay
No one can unravel the secrets within me
Mein jogan…
I am a wanderer
Chal meray naal
Come along, come with me

Hor vi neevan ho
Bow your head further down (in humility)”

Noori – Hor Ve Neevan Ho

The Performance