I used to hum to the tune of Rabbi Shergill’s latest song Bilqis everytime it would play on my Itunes. Like most of his previous songs (remember Bulla?), it takes a keen ear to comprehend the lyrics and when I would hear Bilqis, the only lines I could understand clearly are:
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par, Who Kahan The (Where were those who are proud of India?)
Just a while ago, I heard this song, yet again and somehow, got totally haunted by it. That’s because I only realized it now that this is not a song per se but an account of sorts, to pay tribute to four heroes of our country! Isn’t it a remarkable concept to narrate injustice in a way that it actually hits us? And while Rabbi is popular with his Sufi songs, this one goes to a different a level altogether. In a melodious yet inspiring note, Rabbi sings out emotions of four of our unsung heroes in the quest for what they truly believed in (and died for).
Mera Naam Bilqis Yakub Rasul (My name is Bilqis Yakub Rasul)
Mujhse Hui Bas Ek Hi Bhul (Only one mistake did I make)
Ki Jab Dhundte The Vo Ram Ko (that when they were looking for Rama)
To Main Kharhi Thi Raah Mein (I was right there)
Pehle Ek Ne Puchha Na Mujhe Kuch Pata Tha (First, one asked me but I knew nothing)
Duje Ko Bhi Mera Yehi Javab Tha (my answer was the same to another)
Itno Ne Puchha Ki Mera Abb Saval Hai Ki (So many asked me and now I ask)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kaha
Muslim woman from Gujarat, five-months pregnant and mother to a three-year-old son, Bilqis Yakoob Rasool is one of the victims (and how!) of the Godhra massacre of February 2002. Fourteen members of her family were killed during this attack. Bilqis reported it all to police, but the case was closed in January 2003. The police said that those responsible could not be found. In spite of the risks in taking the unusual step of speaking out, Bilqis continued to pursue justice for herself and her family. The case was closed due to lack of strong evidence but has reopened for further investigation and is still ongoing.
Mera Naam Shriman Satyendra Dubey (My name Mr. Satyendra Dubey)
Jo Kehna Thha Vo Keh Chukey (I have already said what I wanted to)
Ab Parhey Hain Rah Mein (Now I lie on the road)
Dil Mein Liye Ik Goli (with a bullet in my heart)
Bas Itna Kasur Ki Hamne Likha Thha (My only fault was that I wrote)
Vo Sach Jo Har Kisi Ki Zuban Thha (the truth which was known to everyone)
Par Sach Yahan Ho Jatey Hain Zahriley (But the truth here is poisonous)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain
Satyendra Kumar Dubey was assassinated in November 2003 in Bihar due to his fight against corruption in the Golden Quadrilateral Highway Construction. A Foundation has been created in his name to fight corruption in India.
Mujhe Kehte Hain Anna Manjunath (I am Manjunath, brother)
Maine Dekhi Bhatakti Ek Laash (I saw a corpse)
Zamir Ki Beech Sarhak Lakhimpur Kherhi (in the middle of a road in Lakhimpur Kherhi)
Adarsh Phasan Jahan Naaron Mein (where ideals are attached to campaigns)
Aur Chor Bhare Darbaaron Mein (and courts are filled with thieves)
Vahan Maut Akhlaq Ki Hai Ik Khabar Baasi (there is stale news in death)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain
Manjunath, an employee at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was murdered for closing down two petrol stations in Lakhimpur Kheri for selling contaminated fuel. This issue stirred an uprising among students at various Institutes including IIM and IIT and has led to setting up of the Manjunath Shanmugam Trust to fight this case as well as focus on governance in the public sector in India.
Maza Nau Aahe Navleen Kumar (My name is Navleen Kumar)
Unnees June Unnees Bar (June 19th, 19 times)
Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar (19 times chanted ‘19’ times)
Looto Dehaat Kholo Bazaar (steal open markets)
Nallasopara Aur Virar (Nalasopara and Virar)
Chheeno Zameen Hamse Hamein (take away our land from us)
Bhejo Pataal (send us to hell)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain
Navleen Kumar was stabbed 19 times to death on June 19, 2002 as a response to her activist work for the land rights of tribals in Nalasopara, suburb in the outskirts of Mumbai. Her fight was mainly against various builders who had seized land of the tribals through fraud and terror.
Now, as I write this blog, it raises a question in my mind, “Am I proud of my country?” The answer to that is evident in who I am today, and what my country is , defines me in more ways than one. I hope you like this video - note, especially the strumming of the National Anthem in between the verses:
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par, Who Kahan The (Where were those who are proud of India?)
Just a while ago, I heard this song, yet again and somehow, got totally haunted by it. That’s because I only realized it now that this is not a song per se but an account of sorts, to pay tribute to four heroes of our country! Isn’t it a remarkable concept to narrate injustice in a way that it actually hits us? And while Rabbi is popular with his Sufi songs, this one goes to a different a level altogether. In a melodious yet inspiring note, Rabbi sings out emotions of four of our unsung heroes in the quest for what they truly believed in (and died for).
Mera Naam Bilqis Yakub Rasul (My name is Bilqis Yakub Rasul)
Mujhse Hui Bas Ek Hi Bhul (Only one mistake did I make)
Ki Jab Dhundte The Vo Ram Ko (that when they were looking for Rama)
To Main Kharhi Thi Raah Mein (I was right there)
Pehle Ek Ne Puchha Na Mujhe Kuch Pata Tha (First, one asked me but I knew nothing)
Duje Ko Bhi Mera Yehi Javab Tha (my answer was the same to another)
Itno Ne Puchha Ki Mera Abb Saval Hai Ki (So many asked me and now I ask)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kaha
Muslim woman from Gujarat, five-months pregnant and mother to a three-year-old son, Bilqis Yakoob Rasool is one of the victims (and how!) of the Godhra massacre of February 2002. Fourteen members of her family were killed during this attack. Bilqis reported it all to police, but the case was closed in January 2003. The police said that those responsible could not be found. In spite of the risks in taking the unusual step of speaking out, Bilqis continued to pursue justice for herself and her family. The case was closed due to lack of strong evidence but has reopened for further investigation and is still ongoing.
Mera Naam Shriman Satyendra Dubey (My name Mr. Satyendra Dubey)
Jo Kehna Thha Vo Keh Chukey (I have already said what I wanted to)
Ab Parhey Hain Rah Mein (Now I lie on the road)
Dil Mein Liye Ik Goli (with a bullet in my heart)
Bas Itna Kasur Ki Hamne Likha Thha (My only fault was that I wrote)
Vo Sach Jo Har Kisi Ki Zuban Thha (the truth which was known to everyone)
Par Sach Yahan Ho Jatey Hain Zahriley (But the truth here is poisonous)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain
Satyendra Kumar Dubey was assassinated in November 2003 in Bihar due to his fight against corruption in the Golden Quadrilateral Highway Construction. A Foundation has been created in his name to fight corruption in India.
Mujhe Kehte Hain Anna Manjunath (I am Manjunath, brother)
Maine Dekhi Bhatakti Ek Laash (I saw a corpse)
Zamir Ki Beech Sarhak Lakhimpur Kherhi (in the middle of a road in Lakhimpur Kherhi)
Adarsh Phasan Jahan Naaron Mein (where ideals are attached to campaigns)
Aur Chor Bhare Darbaaron Mein (and courts are filled with thieves)
Vahan Maut Akhlaq Ki Hai Ik Khabar Baasi (there is stale news in death)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain
Manjunath, an employee at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was murdered for closing down two petrol stations in Lakhimpur Kheri for selling contaminated fuel. This issue stirred an uprising among students at various Institutes including IIM and IIT and has led to setting up of the Manjunath Shanmugam Trust to fight this case as well as focus on governance in the public sector in India.
Maza Nau Aahe Navleen Kumar (My name is Navleen Kumar)
Unnees June Unnees Bar (June 19th, 19 times)
Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar (19 times chanted ‘19’ times)
Looto Dehaat Kholo Bazaar (steal open markets)
Nallasopara Aur Virar (Nalasopara and Virar)
Chheeno Zameen Hamse Hamein (take away our land from us)
Bhejo Pataal (send us to hell)
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain
Navleen Kumar was stabbed 19 times to death on June 19, 2002 as a response to her activist work for the land rights of tribals in Nalasopara, suburb in the outskirts of Mumbai. Her fight was mainly against various builders who had seized land of the tribals through fraud and terror.
Now, as I write this blog, it raises a question in my mind, “Am I proud of my country?” The answer to that is evident in who I am today, and what my country is , defines me in more ways than one. I hope you like this video - note, especially the strumming of the National Anthem in between the verses:
