No doubt about it, Sufi poetry has always been timeless. Profound lines by legendary names such as Bulle Shah, Kabir, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Mirza Ghalib and Rumi still make themselves into contemporary songs. Ever since Pakistani bands Junoon and the Mekaal Hasan Band came into the music scene, a new music genre blending Sufi-style poetry and rock music was born: Sufi rock.
Since then, there has been no looking back as plenty of Pakistani and Indian pop albums and Bollywood films have featured Sufi rock compositions. While the list of Sufi rock songs is plenty, and the list of non-rock Sufi songs is pretty much endless, here’s looking at 10 memorable Sufi rock songs, for starters…
“Toray Bina Mohe (Andholan),” Mekaal Hasan Band
Mekaal Hasan Band’s “Toray Bina Mohe” is unique for being a Sufi rock number which blends classical sangeet elements such as alaaps and raag darbaari. Interestingly enough, the emphasis is on instrument arrangements, with lyrics kept to a minimum – “Tore bin mohe chain naa aave, Yaad mei tori jeeyaa ghabhraave. Gin gin taare main ratiyaan guzaaroon, Prem sataave moraa mann tadpaave.” This is one heck of a captivating and intensely paced composition.
“Saeein,” Junoon
Junoon’s “Saeein” is one of their strongest Sufi rock compositions, the tabala, dholki, bass, and classical guitar arrangements sounding very catchy. The idea of playing the electric guitar in a middle-eastern style conjures up a dessert image. The lyrics are meaningful and reflect a person’s profound love for God – “Main teraa bandaa, tu hi meraa maulaa saeein. Tan mei tu hai, mann mei tu hai, rooh ke andar tu hai. Aas meri hai, pyaas hai teri, ishq samundar tu. Har mazar mei tu, Masjid mei tu, Mandir mei tu, Jeevan sagar hai tu.” The composition becomes more fast-paced toward the end, and the electric guitars become more prominent.
“Allah Ke Bande,” Kailash Kher
When Bollywood film Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II was released, a new musical sensation was born: Kailash Kher. Composed by the Vishal-Shekhar duo, “Allah Ke Bande” is an optimistic composition with soft guitar arrangements, the emphasis on Kher’s vocals and lyricist Sadaqat Hussain’s depth-filled inspiring lines – “Tootaa tootaa ek parindaa aise toota ki phir judd naa paayaa. Lootaa lootaa kisne issko aise lootaa ki phir udd naa paayaa. Ghirtaa huaa woh aasmaan se aa kar ghiraa zameen par, Khwaabon mei phir bhi baadal hi they, woh kehtaa rahaa magar – ki Allah ke bandeh hans de jo bhi ho kal phir aayegaa.”
“Bandeh,” Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean’s Bandeh from Black Friday is an angst-filled Sufi rock composition. The pace of the track is slow to emphasize the song’s theme of how mankind needs to slow down – “Arrey ruk jaa re bandeh, arrey tham jaa re bandey ki kudarat hans paddegi. Mandir yeh chup hai, masjid yeh gum sum, ibaadat thak paddegi.”
“Bulla Ki Jaana Main Kaun,” Rabi Shergill
Punjabi singer Rabbi Shergill’s “Bulla Ki Jaanaa Main Kaun” was an instant hit, with audiences relishing Bulla Shah’s poetry and Shergill’s pleasant vocals accompanied by a classical guitar.
“Teri Deewani,” Kailasa
“Teri Deewani” is one of the most memorable compositions by Kailasa (Kailash Kher, Naresh Kamath and Paresh Kamath). The melody is uplifting and energetic. Kailash Kher’s soulful, rustic vocals do full justice to profound lines such as “Ishq junoon jab hadh se badh jaaye, Hanste hanste aashiq suli chadh jaaye. Ishq ka jaadu sar chaddh kar bole, Khoob lagaa lo pehre raste rab khole. Yehi ishq di marzi hai, Yehi rab di marzi hai...” This is one amazingly romantic Sufi rock number to cherish.
“Bandeya Ho,” Rohail Hyatt
Composed by Rohail Hyatt, “Bandeya Ho” from Pakistani film Khuda Kay Liye gained immense popularity not just in Pakistan but also in India with radio stations and TV stations continuously highlighting this song. Khawar Jawad and Farah Zalah's deep vocals are soulful. This melodious Sufi rock song fuses poetry by Bulleh Shah with a few English lines as well.
“Rabba Sacheya,” Atif Aslam
Atif Aslam’s “Rabba Sacheya” is a much darker Sufi number which questions God’s attention to the problems plaguing today’s world. The composition draws from Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s poetry – “Rabba sacheya tu the aakheyaa si jaao bandehyaa jag daa shah tu, Kadi saarwi lay rab sohneya taere shah anal ki ki kitiyaan, kithey taaney mare patwaari, kithey dhonse police sarkaar.”
“Aashiq Banaayaa Aap Ne,” Himesh Reshammiya and Shreya Ghoshal
Composer Himesh Reshammiya popularized the Sufi rock genre in Bollywood films with this composition and also became a singer. He later went on to sing and compose many more Suri rock numbers. Also sung by Shreya Ghoshal, this song features lovely lines, by veteran lyricist Sameer, which capture the feelings of longing for one’s beloved: “Tere bin sooni sooni hain baahein, tere bin pyaasi pyaasi nigaahein, Tere bin be-asar meri aahein.”
“Jogi,” Krishna Beura
Composed by Sameer Uddin and sung by Krishna Beura, “Jogi” from Rubaru sadly remains underrated due to lack of promotion for the film’s music. With beautiful guitar riffs, Punjabi instruments incorporated, Krishna’s lively voice, and Arjun Bali’s rich Punjabi poetry, Jogi very nicely captures the feelings of immense devotion to one’s beloved: “Nanak bole ek onkaaraa, Main bola tera naam.”