Jugni

Jugni is a traditional folk song from Punjab, wherein the narrative is through the eyes of a wandering woman named Jugni. Jugni is used as an innocent observer who goes from place to place and describing what she sees. Most Jugni songs are happy and humourous, but one version of the song from Rabbi Shergill's first album always touched my heart and has somehow become all the more relevant again...

Jugni vekhan chali desh....
Jithe janmay si kadi ved...
Jithon kadyaa si angrez...
Ki banyaa usdaa....
Ki banyaa usdaa haal....
kede kite usne kamaal...

Vir meryaa ve jugni....
Vir meryaa ve jugni kehndi aa....
Ek raah nawe aaj pandi hain..


(Jugni sets out to see the country where the Vedas were once born, from where the Englishman was once thrown out... what's happened to it today, what wonders has it done since my brother... Jugni says, as she sets out on a new road today.)

Jugni jaa wadi Kashmir ....
Jithe roz maran das vee..
Soni behnaa te sone veer..
Oh ro ro pucchan..
Ke jaghda tayi-on mukna...
Jado jhelum paani sukhnaa?

Vir meryaa ve Jugni....
Vir meryaa ve Jugni kehndi aa....
Ek neer nawe aj behndi aa..

(Jugni ends up in Kashmir, where 10-20 die every die - handsome brothers of beautiful sisters. Wailing they ask...when will this strife end? When the Jhelum runs dry my brother.... Jugni says as she flows down new waters today...)

Jugni jaa wadi Punjab....
jithe padhe likhe bekaar...
Vech zameenaa jaawaen baahar...
Othe maaran jhadu....
Othe gori lain vyah..
Picche tabbar takke raah..

Vir meryaa ve Jugni....
Vir meryaa ve Jugni kehndi aa....
Ek nayi udari lendi aa....

(Jugni goes to Punjab where the educated are unemployed. The end up selling lands and go abroad and end up sweeping the roads. They marry a white girl there and settle while their family awaits their return my brother... Jugni says as she takes a new flight..)

Jugni jaa wadi Bambai..
Jithe sonda koi nahi...
Sab labban cheez koi ....
Kis kise nu labbe...
Jinu labbe oh bechain....
Mathe matke uske pain...???

Vir meryaa ve jugni....
Vir meryaa ve jugni kehndi aa....
Ek sah safar daa lendi aa....

(Jugni reaches Bombay where no one ever sleeps. They all hunt for something which only a few find. Those who find it are then forever worried, with lines on their forehead deepening my brother..... Jugni says as she pauses along the road she's travelled so far)

Jugni jaa wadi aaj Dilli,
Othe bheed wich ral ki bhulli..
Kitho aayi teh kithe chali...
Sab bisar gaya...
Jaddon aaya usno cheta...
Taaki muke-ya si usdaa vela....

Vir meryaa ve Jugni....
Vir meryaa ve Jugni kehndi aa....
Aaj naam Guru-an da lehendi aa.......

(Jugni ends up in Delhi where she gets lost in the crowd. Where did she come from, where did she go, she's lost. When she gathers her wits, she realises her time is over my brother... Jugni says, as she remembers the Lord while she fades away..)

Wolf in sheep's clothing

I knew this was coming...

This is what I read in the first paper I read in the morning - Indian Express


“We expect that the issue of terrorism is kept above politics. This is an hour for all sections of society to sink their differences,” said the BJP in a statement, after a meeting. “The need of the hour is for the people of Mumbai, Maharashtra and the country to stay united and calm. Maintenance of peace, tranquility, communal harmony and patriotic unity must be our highest priority,” said BJP leader L K Advani at a press meet.

For I moment I was happy. At least on this occasion our leaders were rising above petty politics and uniting. The previous night too BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad refused to be drawn in to a debate when proviked by Sagarika Ghosh on CNN-IBN saying that "this was not the time for such issues".

And then I picked up the Hindustan Times. At the bottom of the page was this ad



I have two words for you Mr. Advani - FUCK YOU !!!

The least you could have done is spare us the misery of listening to your forked tongue & crocodile tears. I am ashamed to say that at one point in time I voted for your party.

If anyone votes for the BJP after seeing this advert - they should also go get their heads checked.

The day after today

I know what's going to happen after today..

1. There will be widespread condemnation of the terror attack on Mumbai. Everyone from Aso to Zardari would speak in the same language.

2. The Indian government would vow strict action against those responsible and promise to bring more changes.

3. Opposition parties would take the government to the cleaners. LK Advani would cry his hoarse throat worse by saying we told you so...

4. With the ATS bosses gone - The Malegaon case would now soon slip into oblivion

5. Since the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack were apparently Muslim Jihadis, the Thackreys and Togadias of the world would find more ammo to fuel their rabid, radical, anti-Muslim Hindutva.

6. The news channels, specially Barkha Dutt will have another field day(s) and later thump their chests for bringing the maximum number of exclusives.

7. Three days later when the people are back on the streets, the 'indomitable spirit of Mumbai' will make headlines again

8. The ISI, LET and the underworld, along with Al-Qaeda will be the prime suspects

9. All of us will shake our heads, check with our friends and relatives in Mumbai for their safety and then move on

10. There will be another date to remember 26/11

Only in cricket

Yesterday's (23/11/08) match puzzles me no end

India makes 166/4 in 22 overs @ 7.54 runs per over
England makes 178/8 in 22 overs @ 8.09 runs per over

and still England loses !! How, can someone care to explain? Messers Duckworth & Lewis can go take a walk !! I mean this beats me.... no matter what the record book says... for me England were the winners yesterday, no question !!

Asan te tainu rab manneya

Rab - bande di zaat ikko hi
Jiwen kapde di zaat hai ruun
Kapde de vich ruun hai lukkeya
Jiven vich bande de vich tu

(God and man are the same, just like cloth and cotton. Just like cotton is part of the cloth, God is in you only...)

Tu mane ya na mane dildara
asan te tainu rab manneya
Das hor keda rab da dawara
asan te tainu rab manneya

(Whether you believe me or not my love, but for me you are God. Tell me if there is another way to find Him, for me you are God.)

Koi Kashi koi Makka janda
koi Kumbh vich dhakke khanda
Kahin aur na sajda gawara
asan te tainu rab manneya.

(Some find salvation in Varanasi or Mecca, some brave the crowd at the Kumbh. I bow my head nowhere else, for me you are God.)

Be very afraid

That's one woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind



And yes, we're terrified ;-)