Tracklist
2 Waris Shah
Amrita Pritam (1919-2005) was an Indian writer and poet, considered the first prominent Punjabi woman, poet, novelist, essayist, and the leading 20th- century poet of the Punjabi language with over 100 books to her name. Her poignant poem, Aj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu (Today I invoke Waris Shah)- is an elegy addressed to the 18th- century Punjabi poet, capturing her anguish over massacres during the Partition of India (1947). Waris Shah (1722-1798) was a Punjabi Sufi poet, born in Jandiallah Sher Khan, in what is now the Punjab in Pakistan. He is best- known for his work Heer Ranjha, based on the traditional and tragic folk tale of Heer and her lover Ranjha, considered one of the quintessential works of classical Punjabi literature. Waris Shah, the sufi sage, was a consummate artiste, deeply learned in Sufi knowledge and local cultural lore. His verse is considered a treasure- trove of Punjabi phrases, idioms and imagery.3 Sajan
'Sajan' was the second song to be released as a single off the band's debut record, 'Sampooran' in 2004. It went on to be a fan favourite and with the passage of time. it's popularity has not diminished. The live version of this song sees the band bring it to a intense and spiritually drenched climax, concluded with flute and guitar solos not heard on any of the band's recordings. This is a Shah Hussain ‘kafi’ that like all spiritual communication, communicates at more than one level. In this beautifully written poem the comparison is ostensibly between two lovers but at a spiritual level it is the desire of a mortal to seek a lasting relationship with God. Shah Hussain talks of the need for a ‘wakeel’ – a mediator, someone who understands and helps. The reference is to the Prophet and seeking his help in finding true salvation. The concluding lyrics refer to Shah Hussain as a ‘fakir’ or mendicant who laments the transitory nature of life on earth and the ultimate reconciliation of man with his destiny. In treating this deeply spiritual message, MHB has approached the melody like a soft and lilting ballad that tugs at the heartstrings, making us reflect on life and in doing so, finding that moment that soothes the soul.4 Sampooran
This largely instrumental track is off the band's debut record, and remains a favourite with the fans. The tune features a pun on the number 7,(Sampooran the term itself means belonging to a family of 7), utilizing a 7/8 and then 7/4 groove before dropping a beat to feature another section and then dropping two more beats to come to a more regular sounding 4/4 section which comprises the main body of the tune. Vocally, a classical composition based on Raag Aiman, features a bandish attributed to the legendary Hazrat Amir Khusro (1253-1325), the father of qawwali. Each instrumentalist also features as a soloist during the course of the tune, with the live version featuring a delicate and beautifully phrased bass solo by Sheldon D'Silva.5 Ya Ali
This classical bandish originally composed by Ustad Salamat Ali Khan is a fervent appeal to Hazrat Ali, seeking his intervention in easing the suffering of his devotee. This invocation is a traditional masterpiece popularised by Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and has been sung in various genres by musicians over the years. It has immense appeal and is usually the finale in the Mekaal Hasan Band’s repertoire. Largely improvised, the band has performed Ya Ali with resounding passion and energy over and over again6 Darbari
This persian tarana was written by Amir Khusrao (1253–1325), an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent, who, apart from being an expert in many styles of Persian poetry, is also considered the father of Qawalli as well as the inventor of the Sitar and Tabla.7 Late Moon
This is an instrumental track which shows yet another side to the writing style of the band.Sampooran
Pakistan’s most critically-acclaimed group plays an exciting and unique blend of traditional Eastern Hindustani/Pakistani Classical and Punjabi folk music in it’s first album with musical arrangements in the style of the classic jazz rock bands of the 70’s like Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Sampooran is the groundbreaking debut album of Mekaal Hasan Band, originally released in 2004 and now rereleased in 2020 with cutting edge HD mastering.
credits
released June 27, 2020
Personnel
Mekaal Hasan – Guitar
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John “Gumby” Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed AkhtarRecorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John “Gumby” Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed AkhtarRecorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan
All songs written and music composed by Mekaal Hasan Band
Album Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Mekaal Hasan
license
All rights reserved
Label
SampooranArtists
Javed Akhtar Javed Bashir Louis Pinto Mekaal Hasan Michael Mondesir Mohammad Ahsan Pete Lockett Sameer AhmadRelease Date
July 12, 2017Available Lyrics
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Raba
My God, you are my everything, you are everything
Without you, I am but nothing.
My God, you are the keeper of what’s in my heart, you live in my heart,
In my soul, in my very being – you are everywhere,
The keeper of what’s in my heart.
My very being, my reason to be is because of you – only you,
The keeper of what’s in my heart.
Says Hussain who serves the Lord,
You are everything that I am or can be –
The keeper of what’s in my heart.
Waris Shah
I implore Waris Shah, to speak from his
grave and add a new page to his book of love
Arise, O friend of the afflicted; arise and
see the state of Punjab,
Corpses strewn on fields and the Chenab
flowing with blood
I implore Waris Shah, to speak from his grave
and add a new page to his book of love
The flute that was turned to love is lost
and all have forgotten the ways of love
and humanity
I implore Waris Shah, to speak from his grave
and add a new page to his book of love
Blood has rained on the soil; the graves ooze
with blood, he princesses’ of love now weep
in graveyards.
Today all have become Quaidos*
thieves of love and beauty
Where can we find another one like Waris Shah
to write about this calamity?
Waris Shah! I implore you. Speak from your
grave and add a new page to your book of love[*Quaido, a maternal uncle of Heer in “Heer Ranjha” the love epic written by Waris Shah, is the villain who betrays the lovers]
Sajan
My beloved has my hand in his,
How can I tell him to leave my hand
The night is dark & stormy,
Without a companion I am lost.He holds my hand so tightly & with such passion-
How can I tell him to leave.
Every day you fill these pots with water
One day you will release me as you release themSays Hussain, servant of God,
With just a glance you entered my heart.
Sampooran
Ya Ali
Oh Ali, help me overcome my suffering
Please ease my difficulties
I have been turned down and rejected just because I am poor
Please do not turn me away from your door for the same reason
If you do not bless me, whom will I turn to?
If you do not listen to me
Darbari
Yar-e-man bia bia.
Dar Tan tadim,
Ta-nan Ta na dim, Tom Ta Na Na NaBa labam raseeda jaanum
Fu bia ke zinda maanum
Pas azari ki man na maanum,
Ba cheh kar khahi amud.Which translates:O love, come soon, come at once.
Come and enter my body,
for I am yours, comeMy life hangs on my lips,
Come thou that I may live again,
for if thou shall come when I am no more,
to what avail shall it be.
credits
from Sampooran 2020, releas