Na Tau Butkade Ki Talab Mujhe

I've been meaning to post a playlist of my favorite (traditional) Sufi Qawwalis but I fear that project is even more difficult than my extensive Filmi Qawwali playlist.  Na Tau Butkade Ki Talab Mujhe is one of many favorites by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the music is credited to his father, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan.  I was finally able to hear the original on youtube though the audio quality is poor: part 1, part 2, part 3.

I hear a mention of Zahid in the verses so I'm assuming that part of the lyrics are by a poet of that name. I've heard that name in other Kalams as well but am unfamiliar with the person. I think I may have heard that name in a few Pankaj Udhas Ghazals but it's been a while so I'm not sure. Perhaps he is a contemporary poet like S M Sadiq... If anyone knows, please share.

The Wadali Brothers' Ve Sone Deya Kangana Sauda Ikko Jeha, a qawwali rich with bits of many different Sufi Kalams includes the Punjabi verses from this qawwali so I'm wondering who the original writer of that bit is. I'm guessing it may be Baba Bulleh Shah...

Filmi Qawwalis Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq and Na Tau Caravan Ki Talash Hai from the soundtrack to Barsat Ki Rat were inspired by this qawwali, I remember reading that they were adapted with Ustad Fateh Ali Khan's permission. I've also read that Nigaah-e-Naaz Ke Maaron Ka Haal Kya Hoga from the same film was also inspired by Ustad Fateh Ali Khan (by his qawwali, Saher Qareeb Hai Taaron Ka Haal Kya Hoga).

Last but not least, I finally figured out why I love Na Kisi Ka Dil Mujhe Chahiye from Naqab so much. I  believe it may have been heavily inspired by this qawwali as well. 


The word but (rhymes with put) means idol, it can also be taken to mean one's beloved as people are prone to idolize the ones they love. Butkada therefore can be an idol's home (temple) but it can also mean the beloved's home. 

Raaz-daaron Se Bach Ke Chalta Hoon
I avoid my friends (keepers of mutual secrets)

Gham-ghusaaron Se Bach Ke Chalta Hoon
I avoid those who would comfort me 

Mujh Ko Dhoka Diya Sahaaron Ne,
I have been deceived by companions (those who would support me)

Ab Sahaaron Se Bach Ke Chalta Hoon
I now avoid companions

Shab-e-Gham Ki Saher Nahin Hoti
There is no dawn for an evening of sorrow

Ho Bhi, Tau Mere Ghar Nahin Hoti
Even if there is, it does not appear in my home

Zindagi Tu Hi Mukhtasar Ho Ja
Life, you should come to an end

Shab-e-Gham Mukhtasar Nahin Hoti
(since) this evening of sorrow does not have an end

Main Ne Masoom Bahaaron Mein Tumhein Dekha Hai
I have seen you in the innocent (blooms of) spring

Main Ne Poornoor Sitaaron Mein Tumhein Dekha Hai
I have seen you in the beautiful stars

Mere Mehboob Teri Pardanasheenin Ki Kasam,
My love, I swear by your veil

Main Ne Ashqon Ki Qataaron Mein Tumhein Dekha Hai
I have seen you in teardrops

But Bhi Eis Mein Rehte Thay
Idols used to live in it

Dil Yaar Ka Bhi Kashana Tha
My beloved's heart was also an abode

Ek Taraf Kaabe Ke Jalwe
In one direction were the wonders of Kaaba

Ek Taraf Butkhana Tha
In the other direction was my beloved's home

Na Tau Butkade Ki Talab Mujhe
I do not seek my beloved's home

Na Haram Ke Dar Ki Talash Hai
Nor do I search for the door of Kaaba

Jahan Loot Gaya Hai Sukhoon-e-Dil

Ussi Rahaguzar Ki Talash Hai
I search for that path where the peace of my heart was stolen

Tu Haram Mein Jis Ko Hai Dhoondtha

Mujhe Woh Butkada Mein Woh Mil Gaya
I found that which you seek in the Mosque in my beloved's home

Tujhe Kya Malaal Hai Zahida?
Why are you vexed Zahid?

Yeh Nazar Nazar Ki Talash Hai
This search is different eye to eye

Mujhe Sab Qubool Falak Magar
I accept my fate however

Gham-e-Dost Mujh Se Talab Na Kar
Do not seek out my friend in sorrow (beloved) in me

Isse Kaise Dil Se Judah Karoon?
How will I separate him/her from my heart?

Mere Umar Bhar Ki Talash Hai
It was my lifelong search.

Aye Qhabib Chod Yun Hi Mujhe
O friend leave me like this

Main Mareez-e-Ishq Hoon La-Dawa
I am  incurably afflicted with love

Main Mareez-e-Ishq, Ishq Ishq...

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq
this is love/passion

Ishq Ki Chhot Ka Kuch Dil Pe Asar Ho Tau Sahi
The wound of love should have some effect on the heart

Dard Kam Ho Ya Ziada Ho Magar Ho Tau Sahi
Whether pain is lessened or increased, it (pain) should exist

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq

Majnu Nazar Aati Hai, Laila Nazar Aata Hai
I see Majnu (feminine), I see Laila (masculine)

Vaishat Mein Har Ek Naqsha Ulta Nazar Aata Hai Dekho
In my madness I see every map upside down/reversed

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq

Wadi-e-Najad Se Pher Kar Jo Hawa Aati Hai

Qais Ke Rone Ki Ab Tak Yeh Sadaa Aati Hai Dekho
Even now the beckoning cry of Qais (Majnu) is borne on the wind that blows through the valley of  Najad

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq

Kaabe Bhi Gaye Hum, Na Gaya Par Buton Ka Ishq
I have visited Kaaba however I did not lose my love for my beloved

Eis Rog Ki Khuda Ka Bhi Ghar Mein Dawa Nahin
There is no cure for this illness even in the house of God.

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq

Kafir-e-Ishq Huye, Hamd-o-Sana Bhool Gaye

I've become an infidel (because) of love, I've forgotten the praise of God

Naam-e-But Yaad Raha Naam-e-Khudah Bhool Gaye Dekho
 I remember my beloved's name,  I've forgotten God's name

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq

Naaz-o-Andaz Se Kehte Hai Ke Jeena Hoga
With pride and style, she says that I must live

Zehar Dete Hai Tau Kehte Hai Ke Peena Hoga

She gives me poison and says I must drink it

Jab Main Peeta Hoon Tau Kehte Hai Ke Marta Bhi Nahin
When I drink, she complains that I don't die

Jab Main Marta Hoon Tau Kehte Hai Ke Jeena Hoga Dekho
When I die, she says I must live

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq

Ishq De Mahak Mein Gaya Main Ek Din
I visited Love one day.

Aageyo Ishq Ne Meri Badhiyai Thaglai
Love robbed me of my greatness

Main Gaya Si Ishq Tho Daadh Laine
I had gone to appeal to Love

Aageyo Ishq Ne Meri Dhanai Thaglai
But Love robbed me of wisdom

Eis Ishq Ne Bade Bade Thaglai, Karu Baadshah Di Baadshahi Thaglai
Love has robbed many a great person, robbed kings of their kingdoms

Thain Ki Thageya Aashiq Zaara? Eis Ishq Ne Khuda Di Khudai Thaglai
What have you robbed, lover? Love has robbed God's divinity

Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq, Yeh Hai Ishq Ishq

Aye Qhabib Chod Yun Hi Mujhe

Main Mareez-e-Ishq Hoon La-Dawa

Mujhe Jis Ne Dard-e-Adaa Kiya Us Chaarahgar Ki Talash Hai
 I search for the healer that presented me with this pain

Na Tau Butkade Ki Talab Mujhe

Na Haram Ke Dar Ki Talash Hai