NDTV In Memory : Ek lau Is Tarah

Speechless, it left me. "In Memory: A Musical Tribute" was a programme recently aired on NDTV, in rembrance of the brave souls who sacrificed their lives during Mumbai terror attacks. Hosted by Vikram Chandra, the show paid an emotional and tearful homage to the fallen heroes. Musical giants Lata Mangeshkar, Shaan, Sonu Nigam, Hariharan et al paid tributes to those martyrs through some truely heartrending numbers. But one particular song "Ek Lau Is Tarah", crooned by Shilpa Rao almost moved me to tears. It sounded vaguely familiar, but I just could not place it.

A google search confirmed my doubt, its a number from Aamir, arguably the best movie of 2008. A man-on-the-run thriller, I watched it sometimes back and loved the brilliant script and the haunting background scores. I am still wondering how this delectable piece of music missed my ears. Probably "Ha Raham(mehfuz)" somehow eclipsed this equally captivating and melancholic number. I am gonna watch the movie again this weekend, to relish the experience once more. Thanks NDTV, for a wonderful tribute and some really soothing music. These are difficult times and those one and half hours provided the pefect soul-curry.

Lyrics and translations of this the soul-stirring track...

Ek Lau Is Tarah Kyun Bhuji Mere Maula…
(Why was a flare extinguished like this, my Lord…)
Gardishon Mein Rehti, Behti Guzarthi,
Zindagi Aahein Kitni…
(Struggling through dark clouds, flowing, passing by,
There are so many lives [being lived]…)
In Mein Se Ek Hai, Teri Meri Agni,
Koi Ek Jaisi Apni…
(Your life and my life is just one flame amongst all of these)
Par Khuda Khair Kar, Aisa Anjaam Kisi Rooh Ko,
Na De Kabhi Yahaan…
Guncha Muskuratha Ek Waqt Se Pehle,
Kyun Chodd Chala Tera Yeh Jahaan…
(But God please, may no soul here receive, this kind of ending…
Before the arrival of a flower-like*, smiling [peaceful] time,
why did this life leave your world…)
{*writer refers to the gradual, sweet smelling natural death of a flower}
Ek Lau Is Tarah Kyun Bhuji Mere Maula,
Ek Lau Zindagi Ki Maula.
(Why was a flare extinguished like this, my Lord,
A flare of Life, my Lord)
Dhoop Ke Ujaale Se, Aus Ke Pyaale Se,
Khushiyan Mile Humko…
Zyada Manga Hai Kahaan, Sarhadein Na Ho Jahaan,
Duniya Mile Humko…
(The light of the sunshine, the beauty of the morning dew,
We recieve joy from all of this…
Is it too much that we ask for a world with no borders*)
{*As in, borders/divisions between people, ethnicities, religions…symbolizing all
artificially created conflict amongst humanity}
Par Khuda Khair Kar, Uske Armaan Mein Kyun
Bewaja Ho Koi Qurbaan,
Guncha Muskuratha Ek Waqt Se Pehle,
Kyun Chodd Chala Tera Yeh Jahaan…
(But God please, why should anyone be sacrificed to fulfill this desire*…
Before the arrival of a flower-like, smiling [peaceful] time,
why did this life leave your world…)
{*Why should there be sacrifice for the sake of creating this division-less, conflict-free
society? }
Ek Lau Is Tarah Kyun Bhuji Mere Maula,
Ek Lau Zindagi Ki Maula. (2)
(Why was a flare extinguished like this, my Lord,
A flare of Life, my Lord)

translation courtesy docmitasha@wordpress.