"Paimana Bideh"... (Part-I)

"Paimana Bideh". Two words. What does it bring to your mind... ??? No? Alien words?? C'mon... think, and think some more. Still no clue... ??

If I say... they bring with them the strains of the rubab and a beautiful, enchanting song with lilting lyrics. Quite akin to that of our folk music from Kashmir. They bring with them... lyrics that are really touching and stunning. Will that interest you... ??? If it does... read on. If it does not... well, all I can say is... don't miss this song. It'll be your loss, if you do. Entirely.

The lyrics have an enchanting quality. The words are like strains of music that can be heard from a distance only if one keeps still. And when one does keep still one can hear it well enough. The song is in the Pushto/dari language. It is also probably inspired by a composition of the great Persian polymath, Omar Khayyám. A very melodious song, indeed. One that will transport you to a different space and a different time.

"Paimana" has persian lyrics. The song is rendered by Haniya Aslam, and her cousin Zeb (Zebunissa) Bangash - Pakistan's first all-female music band. A female duo who have evolved from two college kids experimenting with music as a hobby to artists who have created one of the most anticipated albums of 2007. Zeb and Haniya's (pronounced as "Zay-eb and Haa-nee-ya") early work; a song called "Chup!" (Hush!), brought them fast recognition and now the confidence to play a hand at their and our music industry. "Chup!" has since been re-done; this hugely catchy song, now with clever production, will probably be the biggest hit from this album.

Both are ethnic Bangash Pashtuns... from Kohat, North-West Frontier Province, a fact that did not register in India though it should have... because one of our most famous musicians is also a Bangash: the sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

A part of the girls' appeal - is 'coz their music blends Western and Eastern influences seamlessly. "Paimana", a Pashtun ballad about love, rendered with a blues influence, perhaps best illustrates this. The music is soft with a lot of blues influence and some eclectic pop flavour. One of the most beautiful and romantic songs by the duo!

The song is so mesmerizing and intoxicating, it is so wonderful to listen to... when it is quiet all around. The words start to melt in your mind and blend with your blood. Very romantic poetry. Perfect for a quiet weekend! So... just lean back, close your eyes, think of that 'special someone'... and let this song enchant you. Completely! It is simply magical!

You can download this song from this link.

Here is an amazing video. It is a must watch! You can listen to this song (with the lyrics and translation) in the following link: HERE.

A 'live' performance... by the duo (at the Coke Studio sessions), can be watched:

HERE (with the strains of the rubab... in the background). The singer - Zeb - is apparently closer in accent to Kabuli Persian than Tehrani Persian.

Here is the link, where Zeb and Haniya explain the lyrics in hindi/english.

Zeb and Haniya's sound is urbane, very polished and orchestrated. Their writing is easy and comes from a comfort with the Hindustani language. There is also a unique Pushto and Darri (Afghani Farsi) experience to be had. The group's songs are mostly in Urdu. They had visited India recently... and performed and mesmerized all. So, a lot of us had the opportunity to listen to them... live.

Zeb and Haniya's brand of folksy music draws on that Pashtun heritage and can easily fit into the region's longstanding Sufic tradition. Their songs can be playful and sensual, addressing the themes of love and longing "to God through the conceit of a lover," says Bangash. Their music uses guitar, drums and trumpets, as well as more exotic stringed instruments like the sarod, to express "Western and Eastern melodies arranged for a global audience," according to Bangash. "The (Pashtun) people love to dance and have a good time," says Bangash. "The superimposition of extremist views has not been able to snuff out centuries of musical tradition. We've had Pashtuns come up to us and thank us for preserving our musical traditions," says Bangash. I just want to say... more power to you, girls!

Much to their surprise, the two have been widely accepted by Pakistan's male-dominated music industry - except by a few, of course. "Some of them think we're not serious enough and that 'this thing' is going to be abandoned after we get married," says Bangash. A few months ago, Zeb and Haniya were asked to perform at a private function in Lahore with exotic dancers. They refused. "We're not going to cheapen the music," says Bangash. Their family remains supportive despite the societal pressures. "People are so caught up in what is and isn't respectable that they forget to live," says Bangash. "You can't kill music; it's in every Pashtun's blood." And soon their album will be played on every Pakistani radio station. Hopefully.

There's a quote, "Music knows no boundaries, knows no races... it is possible for music to bring peace around the world." How do you answer those who would say this is being naive or is simply wishful thinking? I would say it's also naive to think otherwise. That is a strong statement and it's not going to bring peace ultimately... but it could start to crack down the barriers, which is a step toward peace. Music... is the cause for celebration in some of the most desolate places on earth - where disease, poverty, and conflict are commonplace. There is celebration in music and people forgot in that moment whatever things were bringing them down. I would even add that... through music we can gain enlightenment. I'm not a musician myself but in witnessing/listening to all sorts of music, I believe... it can be a tool for meditation. If you do get into the music and express yourself with your music, I think it can give you some enlightenment and a more pure understanding of everything. Are the harbingers of 'doom-and-gloom' listening... ???

Zeb is pitch perfect with refined nuances and inflexions to her singing. Haniya on the other hand, sings from the gut with a feel for the music, rather like Janis Joplin. Great voices both, but with two different uses and the girls obviously know that. Zeb has been singing since age eight and has been training as a vocalist since 1998 with acclaimed Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan (link - 'Ranjha Ranjha Kardi' and other songs). Her fellow musician and first cousin, Haniya, is a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter.

On being asked... how far back do they go together and how did the band form? "I think I met her when I was three months old," says Haniya seriously with a twinkle in her eyes. Actually our mothers are sisters, so we are first cousins. And we were born exactly a month and three weeks apart."

A wonderful, mesmerizing song... from a beautiful land. Of scenic beauty, beautiful people, green meadows, rolling hills... painted in lovely shades of ochre and beige in winter. A land synonymous with valour, with imposing rugged mountains ringing the horizon, clear streams, exquisite arts, crafts and architecture. The land where our forefathers wrote the "Rig Veda". A land where History is alive. A land where the hills were once alive with music, arts, crafts, dancing, and so much more.

If you want an example... of the cruel joke that the West in now playing on the people there, and on us (by default). Here it is: after destroying Afghanistan... for a few years now... the 'cowboys' and their cronies have been pounding the Swat valley. A place in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan... the charming Swat, a peaceful and fascinating tract in the lap of vegetative sky-high mountains, with eternal snow on their lofty crests, is an everlasting source of attraction for the visitors/tourists. The Swat River is mentioned in the Rig Veda 8.19.37 as the Suvastu river. The first historical mention of the valley goes back to a hymn of the Rigveda (Stein, 1929:viii). Swat has been inhabited for over two thousand years and was known in ancient times as the Udyana. Cut to recent times. Periodically... the 'respected' magazines, journals, newspapers, electronic media, etc... in the US and other prominent Western countries, carry reports... that 'so-and-so' has been sighted there.

This place is home to a large number of Shias (a sect of Islam), Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. There is a place here... which is referred to as the "Ramji's throne". Through the centuries... indeed millenniums this place has existed. Archaeological treasures, including centuries-old Buddha statues - the Bamiyan Buddhas - (link) have been destroyed.

Now, the 'cowboys' (and their cronies) are pounding this and much else via the 'Drone'. The US Navy's Electronic Attack Squadron 134 is nicknamed the 'Garudas'. Isn't it ironical... ??? The name 'Gandhara' first occurs in the Rigveda which is usually identified with the region. 'Drone' attacking Kandahar (ancient Gandhara... Gandhari's birth place) and Shri Ramji's throne... ??? I ask you!

(More later...)

Note: Some info gathered courtesy: Wikipedia and zebandhaniya.com.

Alternative link... with the lyrics and translation of "Paimona" is: HERE.

A live performance by them is available on an excellent website called cokestudio.com.pk, though. This song is also spelt/referred to as 'Paimana Bitte'.

'Dari' comes from the word 'Darbari'... meaning 'Courtly'. It is short for Farsi-e-Dari... i.e., 'Courtly Persian'.

According to an Afghan musician... this song is played in a rhythm called Mogholi 7/8i, a typical Afghan rhythm. And to this song the rhythm should be a bit faster, you can listen to the original song and you will notice the tempo of the rhythm. Mogholi is one of the easiest 'taals' in Afghan music and all new players who learn to play the tabla, learn this 'taal' first. Another link (HERE).

Photograph:

A pic of the rubab/robab/rebab. Known as "the lion of instruments", it is one of the two national instruments of Afghanistan (together with the Zerbaghali - the single headed clay goblet drum [link]). Elsewhere it is known as the 'Kabuli rebab'. It is the ancestor of the north Indian sarod though - unlike the sarod - it is a fretted instrument. (Pic courtesy: Wikipedia).

All in a Day's Work.

This post has been published by me as a part of the Blog-a-Ton 5; the fifth edition of the online marathon of Bloggers; where we decide and we write. To be part of the next edition, visit and start following Blog-a-Ton.

They say, "Life is a journey and not a destination." Maybe. And this journey is enriched by a myriad of things/events/persons... friends, family, relationships, emotions... and of course food! Not particularly in that order though. But... they all add up to form a kaleidoscope of memories.

Emotions. Now, this is something we cannot do without. Right... ?!! No matter what. Hatred and fear are two of the strongest emotions. Negative though. How would life be... without them... ?? We don't know. Can life be better... without them... ?? We can't say. If we look around... we cannot miss them. For sure. 24/7 news channels, newspapers... you name it... they all remind us of the existence of these two (unwelcome) emotions. Daily. Yes... unfortunately!

Is there a way out... ?? No clue. Opinions are diverse and divided. Everyday... throughout this journey called 'life', we come across issues/people/events... who remind us and even stir these emotions within us.

What should we do... ??

Watch this short film - "Strangers". Directed, written and produced by: Erez Tadmor and Guy Nattiv.

Here is the link: http://shortsbay.com/film/strangers

It is indeed very well done. A fantastic and inspiring film. I think most of us... have been in this kind of a situation at some point or the other in our lives. 

This is a beautifully crafted short film and a great example of a simple story speaking a thousand words. The subject of racism is universal and a simple concept to understand... yet this 7 min 11 second film manages to stay entertaining and eye-catching throughout. Offering a gentle twist which is bound to be thought-provoking and a conversation starter. "Strangers" is perhaps the most powerful short film you will ever see. 

Most of the time our petty racial/linguistic/regional/communal 'wars' keep us divided, whether it be Jew and Arab, white and black, North and South. It is always 'Us' vs 'Them'. What will it take to put things in true perspective for us... ?? Whites and blacks in America and Europe have been feuding for generations over the same old issues that seem to play over and over again like a looped tape, especially when race pertains to politics and the pursuit of power. B.rack Obma notwithstanding.

Elsewhere, in the Middle East... Arabs and Jews have been fighting for more than a millennium perhaps... over a piece of land. 

In America and Australia... indigenous people are being systematically obliterated... again in the name of racial superiority. The 'holiest cow found in the land of the sausage'... the UN is understandably silent. They know which side of the bread is buttered on. Period.

Fork-tongued diplomacy... fueled by the oil-grabbing policy of the sole superpower and its surrogates... which in turn is further buttressed by the powerful defense contractor lobby within the United States (apart from their cronies and others of course)... have reduced Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan... to rubble. The latter... the land of the proud Pathans, the original 'Aryans', the land where our forefathers wrote the "Rig Veda"... has been completely destroyed. This is the toxic legacy of the three decades of "cold war" between the two erstwhile superpowers. The USSR has long since abdicated its 'throne' and undergone 'fission'... aided by liberal doses of Perestroika and Glasnost. Now, the "sole superpower" is doing its best... to raze to the ground... whatever remains. Whatever... even a semblance of infrastructure, that is. For our erstwhile colonial masters... this land has become a much-sought-after location... whenever a couple of utterly worthless and useless 'Prince'... require an image makeover. 

The occupation forces in Afghanistan are supporting the drug trade, which brings between 120 and 194 billion dollars of revenues to organized crime, intelligence agencies and Western financial institutions. The proceeds of this lucrative multibillion dollar contraband are deposited in Western banks. Almost the totality of revenues accrue to corporate interests and criminal syndicates outside Afghanistan. The Golden Crescent drug trade, launched by the SeeIA in the early 1980s, continues to be protected by cow-boy intelligence, in liaison with NATO-nic occupation forces and the erstwhile colonial military. In recent developments, erstwhile colonial occupation forces have promoted opium cultivation through paid radio advertisements. While the controversial opium ads have been casually dismissed as an 'unfortunate mistake', there are indications that the opium economy was being promoted at the political level (including the erstwhile colonial government of Mr. Cauliflower Ears - the official poodle of a certain exotic flora). The Western media in chorus blame the T-ban and the warlords. Nothing official about it... it's all in a day's work. You see, Narcotics is second to Oil and the Arms Trade.

Africa/Iraq/Afghanistan: Some of the world's most ancient civilizations... are being systematically obliterated to feed the insatiable greed of Washington warlords and their constituents in the corporate boardrooms across cow-boy country and (the dominant half of) Europe. Yes... the ones who talked and wrote about the WMDs or A. Moosaab al Z or connections to 9/11... besides much else, whenever the 'need' arose. Or suddenly 'spotted' so-and-so... in some rocky mountain cave somewhere. After all, it's all in a day's work! 

The alleged terrorist mastermind, A. Moosaab al Z was exposed some three years back... in a Washington Post article as a fraud; a shabby invention of the fertile imaginations of 5-sided polygon planners and their surrogates in the media. Colonel Derek Harvey candidly admitted that the military intentionally enlarged Z.qvi's caricature to create the impression that the struggle against occupation was really a fight against terrorism. What more proof do we need? 

Didn't the Exotic Flora administration adopt a strategy produced by the right-wing think tank, Rand Corp. for exploiting the ideological and religious differences of the Iraqi people, even though Iraq has no history of sectarian violence? So why are the people of cow-boy country so eager to accept the 5-sided polygon-media analysis of the present conflict in Iraq? Every part of the narrative so far has been exposed as a lie. Let us at least agree on the one basic axiom that underscores all corporate journalism; the media never tells the truth. It is simply a case of 'all in a day's work'. Linked to simple bread and butter issues dominated by 'which side of the bread is buttered on'. Period.

Sure, stories break that shed light on some area of government waste, fraud or abuse, but the really big stories (independent investigations of 9/11, the destruction of Falluja, the 2004 Ohio election fraud, Guantanamo Bay, the Downing Street memo, "Able Danger") simply disappear behind a wall of disinformation. Conveniently.

The civil war storyline is intended to divert attention from the bloody subjugation of the Iraqi people by a foreign military. This is the real story of the Iraqi conflict. The current malaise in Iraq is reducible to three bullet-points; occupation, occupation, and occupation. Any departure from this essential narrative is simply false. Cow-boy Intelligence services are involved in every area of the present hostilities. Author Max Fuller ("Crying Wolf: Media disinformation and Deaths squads in Occupied Iraq") has documented how SeeIA operatives have not only trained the Iraqi death squads operating in the Interior ministry, but created a high-tech facility with data banks of the names of potential targets for future attacks. 

Does that sound like a civil war or a pretty well-thought out scheme for plunging the country into chaos? It's all in a day's work... my friend.

And how does one explain the fact that there have been several incidents where occupation forces have been either caught or connected to bombings in Iraq? Why do the occupation forces drop bombs on hotels where investigative reporters stay... ?? Good questions. No answers.

The rationale leading up to the war was a lie. The justification for the ongoing occupation as a fight against terrorism (al Z.qvi) was a lie. The fairy tale about an Iraqi civil war is a lie. And, presumably, all the future stories diverting attention from cow-boy nation's bloody occupation will be lies. Iraq is subsumed by a wave of violence which radiates directly from the most expensive piece of real estate in cow-boy nation. Don't blame the Iraqis.

Iraq is cow-boy nation's slaughterhouse; the Iraqi people have no part in this crime. Don't call it a civil war. Ditto Africa and Afghanistan.

The repercussions and the ripple effects of these 'wars'... ?? Words fail me. For the folks and groups that orchestrate it... ?? It's all in a day's work. As simple as that. 

The other 'Big O'... ?? Well... Nostradamus' prediction (made in the 16th century) re: an iron bird hitting Amerigo... came true (at the onset of the 21st century). In fact, doubly true... 'ek ke sath ek free', you know! And we got to know that the 'Big O' and his cronies are diehard Nostradamus fans... who have a large collection of his works... in the Arabic, Dari, and Pushto languages (besides in some North African languages as well) - neatly stacked in the dimly lit cave library.

Where do the 'non-state actors' get their equipments from... ?? Training, food... other logistics... ??? *Tarang, Tarang* [That is the suspense music... playing in the background.]

Do you think 26/11 was just an act of terror... or do you think it was a part of a larger game-plan... ?? Maybe, the latter. 9/11 has been milked for all it was worth. The 'Big O' has not been traced (if at all he was supposed to be traced, that is). He cannot be declared 'alt+cntrl+del' either... until another 'Big O' has been 'created'. 'They' certainly tried to build up 'Mehsood'... and link him to the 'Big O'... but that did not work out. 

So, the 'charade' continues. Another 'Big O' has declared a shift in policy... and coined the term 'Af-Pak'. So, now we have this 'War on Terrier' squarely shifted to the subcontinent. Smart move! *sarcastic laugh* Iraq will take a backseat for the time being. To be resurrected after 4-8 years. Just as Afghanistan has been taken out of the 'deep freezer' and brought back into the limelight after some 7-8 years. It's all in a day's work... after all. To borrow a phrase from a certain legendary figure: "Elementary, my dear Watson!" 

For us... the inhabitants of the land described by the great Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay as: "Sujalam Suphhalam, Malayajasheetalam, Sasyashyamalam Mataram"... we suffer from severe water crisis. Apart from having to watch the unpleasant spectacle of farmers committing suicide... regularly. We are a land... inhabited by several very 'powerful' people... yet we have no 'power'.

We are busy fighting more important 'wars'... that of language, class, caste, region, community... to name a few. Apart from the 'war against the trees'... in line with the philosophy of: "mere trees should not be allowed to stand in the way of 'development'". It's all in a day's work!

We all live on the same planet. We all bleed red. Don't we... ?? Why need a bigger and more dangerous "enemy"... for people to realize that "live and let live" is the way to go... ??

What will it take for us to realize that the eye of terror does not discriminate... ?? 

Let us settle our differences... petty or otherwise and realize the real and common "enemy". Now.

India/Bharatvarsha is our 'Punya Bhoomi' or worshipable Motherland and the nation of our ancestors. It is this land where the eternal principles of 'Sanaatan Dharma' were discovered and practiced for many millennium before they were compiled. The philosophy and culture that evolved in this land are very distinct and vibrant for which we should be proud. It is this land where a clarion call was given to all humanity to pursue the goal of becoming higher spiritual beings and realize the ultimate Truth. Thus, we should work to keep the ancient traditions of India, and keep it as the homeland of a dynamic and thriving Vedic culture. 

You must listen to a beautiful song rendered by Abrar-ul-Haq - "Tere Rang Rang". 

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c130YdqP28E&feature=related

The complete lyrics of this fabulous song can be read: HERE.

Here are a few lines...

Moun Modh Diyay Daryaon Ke

Main Ne Hawa Mein Udhna Seekh Liya

Main Ne Hawa Main Udhna Seekh Liya

Meri Agli Nazar Sitaaron Par

Phir Bhi Main Tere Sahaaron Par

and

Main Zaat Paat Mein Oonch Neech Mein

Aur Firqon Mein Baata Huwa

Jo Sachai Ko Dhundla De

Dil Aisi Gard Se Atta Huwa

Shikwa Nahin Jism Ki Matti Se

Par Rooh Bhi Ab Betaab Nahin

Tere Hukam Pe Chalna Eik Taraf

Tera Naam Bhi Lena Yaad Nahin

Tera Naam Bhi Lena Yaad Nahin

Tera Naam Bhi Lena Yaad Nahin

Kam Se Kam Mujhko Lauta De

Kam Se Kam Mujhko Lauta De

Woh Rooh Aur Jism Ki Jang Jang

A lovely song indeed! The video is a must watch!

Synopsis of "Strangers": Two strangers meet on a Paris subway, one Arab, the other Jewish. The guy already seated is reading an Arabic-language newspaper. The other guy... who just got on the subway has a Star-of-David necklace... and makes a point of jostling it so that the first guy notices. They are not happy to be on the same train, each holding some prejudices about the other, but they tolerate each others presence. A gang of skinheads gets on the train and confronts them. This suspense thriller dramatizes the urgency of a younger generation seeking to reconnect with and humanize the "enemy".

"Strangers" was accepted to the short competition at the Sundance film festival 2004 and won the Online Film Festival Viewers award. It also won Best Short Film at the Jerusalem Film Festival along with numerous other awards. 

It's all in a day's work! Indeed.

Note: Some info gathered, courtesy: Wikipedia. 

The short film "Strangers" is not to be confused with "The Strangers" - a 2008 American suspense and horror film written and directed by Bryan Bertino, and starring Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward, Laura Margolis, Kip Weeks, and Glenn Howerton. The film revolves around a young couple who are terrorized by three masked assailants, who break into the remote summer house at which they are staying and damage all means of escape.

Photograph:

Some stills from the short film "Strangers". Pics courtesy: link1 and link 2.

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