Ghazal One, Divan-i-Goya: Damanpreet Singh & Inni Kaur | Bhai Nand Lal - The Sikh Cast | SikhRI

Introducing Paigam-i-Goya: Expression of Love, new translations of a selection of ghazals from Bhai Nand Lal “Goya.” Today’s podcast begins with a recitation of Bhai Nand Lal’s ghazal in Persian, followed by a new English transcreation, the result of a unique collaboration between Dr. Fatima Fayyaz and Dr. Nadhra Khan of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Damanpreet Singh, writer, and graduate student, and Inni Kaur of SikhRI, followed by a discussion between Daman and Inni about the beauty of the ghazal and the transcreation process.

Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal. The unique and symbolic meanings that these ghazals reveal are a treat for those who yearn to get a glimpse into the court of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.

Author: Bhai Nand Lal “Goya”
Collection: Divan-i-Goya
Transcreators: Fatima Fayyaz, Inni Kaur, Nadhra Khan, and Damanpreet Singh 
Persian Narrator: Gholamhossein Sajadi
English Narrator: Ryan Gillis

Persian
هوای بندگی آورد در وجود مرا 
وگرنه زوقِ چنین آمدن نبود مرا

خوش است عمر که در یاد بگذرد ورنه 
چه حاصل است ازین گنبدِ کبود مرا

در آن زمان که نیایی به یاد می میرم 
بغیر یادِ تو زیستن چه سود مرا

فداست جان و دلِ من به خاکِ مردمِ  پاک
هر آن کس که به سوی تو ره نمود مرا

نبود هیچ نشان ها  ز آسمان و زمین 
که شوقِ روی تو آورد در سجود مرا 

بغیر یادِ تو گویا نمی توانم زیست 
به سوی دوست رھایی دهند زود مرا

English Translation
I am brought into existence by the embrace of the winds of reverence-bondage.
I would not have desired to come into this world, otherwise. 

Joyous is the life spent in Your remembrance, and if not: 
What else do I gain from this blue vault?   

I die when I do not remember You.
Besides Your remembrance, what do I gain from living?   

I surrender my heart-mind to the dust of those pious beings
Who guide me towards You.

When there was no sign of the sky or earth, 
It was desire for Your face that brought me into prostration.  

Goya: I cannot live without remembering You.
May I be freed quickly to meet the Beloved.

~~~ Featuring: Damanpreet Singh, Inni Kaur  #BhaiNandLal #Ghazal #Persian #Ghazal #sikhism #GuruGobindSingh

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