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

Introducing Paigham-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
امشب به تماشای رخ یار توان رفت
سوی بتِ عاشق کشِ عیار توان رفت 

در کوچه عشق ارچه محال است رسیدن
منصور صفت با قدم دار توان رفت

ای دل به سوی مدرسه گر میل نداری!
باری به سوی خانه خمار توان رفت 

چون خاطرم از عشق تو شد رشکِ گلستان
بیهوده چرا جانب گلزار توان رفت 

ای دل چو شدی واقف اسرار الهی
در سینه ام ای مخزنِ اسرار توان رفت 

صد روضه رضوان است چو در خانه شگفته
گویا به چه سوی در و دیوار توان رفت 

English Translation
Tonight one may proceed to gaze upon the Beloved’s face,
Towards the one who is mysteriously merciless towards the lover. 

Although it is impossible to arrive at the lane of love,
One may walk towards the gallows in the footsteps of Mansur.

Oh heart, if you don’t desire to go to a seminary,
You may proceed towards a wine-house once. 

As your love has made my imagination the envy of a blooming garden,
Why may one proceed towards the garden then? 

Oh heart, since you are aware of divine secrets,
I can proceed within myself, oh treasure of secrets.

A hundred paradisiacal gardens have bloomed in the house.
Goya: why should one proceed elsewhere?

~~~ 

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

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