baba bullay shah

I was finally successful downloading the sikh guy who had covered a bullay shah classic "bulla kee jana main kon"....i have already shared my disgust about junoon making a mess of this, so when i first listened to this sikh guy, who is a delhite by the name of rabbi shergill, i was in for a pleasant surprise...the track is actually quite simple, a lot easier on the ears than ali azmat...i just do not get the junoon sufi rock concept...it just died its logical death with the band's breakup, brian and salman now back to the US where they will be much happier....ali azmat will get plenty of gigs locally, the paktel jingle, (dil to aik hay) one of the most expensive in pak history being the case in point....

now on with the business of the day

http://www.apnaorg.com/poetry/bullah/26.htm contains the kafi in its original

here is a translation i got off the web...

Bulla Ki Jaana Maen Kaun Says Bulla,
who knows who I am!
I am not in the mosque of the believer,
Nor in false rites.
I am not in the pure or the impure.
Neither Moses nor Pharaoh.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not in the vedas or holy books,
Not in drug or wine.
Not in the drunkards wasted intoxication,
Not in wakefulness or sleep.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not in sorrow nor in joy,
Neither in clean nor unclean.
I am not water, I am not earth,
I am not fire, I am not air.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not from Arabia or Lahore,
Nor from India or Nagaur.
Neither a hindu or muslim from Peshawar,
Nor do I live in Nadaun.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!
I cannot be unearthed in the mysteries of religion.

I was not born of Adam and Eve.
I am not the name I assume.
I am not in stillness, not in movement.
Finally, I only know myself.
I cannot know any other.
Who could be wiser than I?
Bulla asks, who then, stands here?
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

the track itself is very simple guitar and vocals full of passion

unlike ali azmat who sound like cat paws against a slippery slide.....