Mera Yaar Mila De Saiyyan

Mera Yaar Mila De Saiyyan

As Gulzar had said in one of his interviews that a poem should be such that it should have multiple layers. As you scratch the surface, another layer will reveal itself.

And this way he would suggest what he wanted to say, along with what the character wanted to say.

In the song “Mera Yaar Mila De” from Saathiya this is exactly what Gulzar has done. This song is about search for the beloved or God, for once you find love, you find God. Gulzar has used this metaphor in Chaiyya Chaiyya as well –
 

जिनके सर हो इश्क़ की छाँव
पाँव के नीचे जन्नत होगी

यार मिसाल-ए-आस चले
पाँव के तले फ़िरदौस चले
चल छैय्याँ छैय्याँ, छैय्याँ छैय्याँ…

But that’s for another day.

Coming back to Saathiya, Adi and Suhana are in love despite the disapproval from their families. They have a disagreement and Suhana leaves for an assignment without reconciling with Adi. When this song starts on the screen, we see Adi frantically looking for Suhana.

The song begins with A R Rahman’s anguished cry - a cry of someone lost, someone in despair.

This song has an interesting use of AR Rahman’s vocals played in double voice and the all male chorus vocals supporting the lead singer. In the background the track begins 

बंजर है सब बंजर है हम ढूँढने जब फ़िरदौस चले

हूं तेरी खोज तलाश में देख पिया हम कितने काले कोस चले

बंजर है सब बंजर है

बंजर = Barren

फ़िरदौस = Heaven

Here it is interesting to see the use original Punjabi words. On the face of it, this song is a lover's search for his beloved.  And the picturisation by Shaad Ali makes us believe it is, indeed, about a lover's quest.

But if looking beyond the visuals and concentrating on the vocals, the words are all about the quest for God. Gulzar is equating Love with God. His disposition for the Sufi way often manifests itself in his songs and poetry. This song is no different. To him, God resides not in idols or stones (see the use of  कंकड़, पत्थर, बुत) - not in the sky, not in the stars or in heaven but in a loving and devoted heart. How one truly gives up self identity to identify with the one he or she loves. It is then that you find your heaven.

 

मैंदा यार मिला दे साईयाँ एक बार मिला दे साईयाँ

मैंने फ़ोटा-फ़ोटा फ़लक़ चांदा, मैने टोटे-टोटे तारे चुने

तारों की चमक ये सुबहो तलक़

लगती ही नहीं पल भर को पलक

साईयाँ

मैंने फ़ोटा-फ़ोटा फ़लक़ चांदा, मैने टोटे-टोटे तारे चुने

सिर्फ़ इक तेरी आहट के लिये कंकड़ पत्थर बुत सारे सुने

मुड दे द दे रुस्वाइयाँ

मैंदा यार मिला दे साईयाँ एक बार मिला दे साईयाँ

साईयाँ = God

मैंने फ़ोटा-फ़ोटा फ़लक़ चांदा, मैने टोटे-टोटे तारे चुने = I have searched through every inch of sky, searched the stars

सिर्फ़ इक तेरी आहट के लिये कंकड़ पत्थर बुत सारे सुने = Seeking the sound of your footsteps, I've borne the silence of pebbles, stones and idols alike. In his quest to find God or to find heaven he needs to find his love. Searching for love he leaves no stone unturned be it a pebble or an idol yet the quest remains unfilled. 

आ देख मेरी पेशानी को तक़दीर के हर्फ़े लिक्खे हैं

पैरों के निशाँ जब देखे जहाँ सौ बार झुकाया सर को वहाँ

यार मिला दे साईयाँ
आ देख मेरी पेशानी को तक़दीर के हर्फ़े लिक्खे हैं
मैं कितनी बार पुकारूँ तुझे तेरे नाम के सफ़्फ़े लिक्खे हैं

तेरा साया कभी तो बोलेगा
मैं चुनता रहा पर्छाइयाँ

मैंना यार मिला दे साईयाँ
साईयाँ साईयाँ

Come, and see the words of fate written on my forehead

Wherever I see even the hint of your footsteps, I bow my head a hundred times
Do you not see the words of fate written on my fore-head
How many times must I call out to you, I’ve written pages only of your name

Another amazing song from Gulzar!