Today’s lesson is this really old song, that Yaar Gul Ustaad hums a lot. Searched on YouTube for a video, but what I could find was this one really old version. The identity of the singer is not certain because there are two differing claims for the same song; this one video claims that her name is Naveeda Khan and this other one calls her Rehana Yasmeen if anyone can confirm, then do let me know. Also found this Rabab version from Shoukath Ustaaz with friends, really nice one.

So here is the lesson for today, keep practicing!

Full Version:

So first up is the Full Version, and these are the surs to be used for this song

And now Yar Gull Ustaad’s full version.

Main

First the chart

The lyrics

Ta Rata Ekhi Pa Zargi Khukulay Daghoona

MaPa MaPa  NeNeNeNe  Sa(.)DhaPaMa PaPaMa Ga

Gudara Wran Shay Tal They Yadawama

GaGaGa Ma Pa NeDhaPa MaMa

SaDhaPaMaMa

And now the video

Piece:

The chart

The Surs

Ma Dha Ne Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)

Dha Ne Dha PaPaPaPa

Ga Pa Dha NeNeNeNe

DhaPaDhaPa MaMaMaMa

And now the video

Misra

Note: There are differences between the written version and the video version, I will discuss it with Yaar Gul Ustaad next week, and update this part accordingly, but at the moment, you can either follow the written one or the video one.

First the chart (according to the written one)

Now the lyrics

Kishtay da Jwand, Da Jwand, Pa Dooobay though daaa

Ma Dha Ne Sa(.) DhaNeSa(.) Ne ZZZ VV Sa(.)Sa(.)

Sa Main La Tana, La Tana, Pa Wartlo Da

Ma Dha Ne Sa(.) DhaNeSa(.) Ne ZZZ VV Sa(.)Sa(.)

Kaleema Yaar Ta Zma Waya Salamoona

MaPa MaPa  NeNeNeNe  Sa(.)DhaPaMa PaPaMa Ga

Gudara Wran Shay Tal They Yadawama

GaGaGa Ma Pa NeDhaPa MaMa

SaDhaPaMaMa

Now the video:

First of all I apologize for the long delay. The last post was more than a month ago, and the absence was because of a variety of distractions, most of which were unavoidable. Thank you so much for your messages of appreciation, they help a lot in getting motivated.

But in any case, here is the lesson for today: Paikhawar kho Paikhawar They Kana

As a Peshawarite, I am personally of the opinion that this song is the best musical dedication to my sweet Paikhawar. Here is the original video, with a tour of Paikhawar, there also is a concert version of the same. But the most interesting one is this one by this American band called The PashTones.

As usual, here is the chart with all the surs used for today

and here is the complete version from Yaar Gul Ustaad

Now the break up.

1- Main:

First the chart of surs that are used in this part.

Now the lyrics along with the sur break up.

Manam Khaista Khaista Kharoona Shta they

GaGa ReSa SaSaSa Re GaGaGa

Kho they Pa tolo Banday Bur they Kana

GaGa Ma PaPa DhaPa DhaPa MaMa

Da Her Zee Khpal Khwandoona Khpalay Mazay

DhaDha PaPa MaMa GaMa GaGa Re

Kho Paikhawar

ReRe Ga Ma

Kho Paikhawar they Kana

GaGa ReGaRe SaSa

Here is the video version of the same

2-Piece

First the chart

Ga Ma PaPa Ma Ga MaMa                   Sa Re GaGa ReRe SaSa

Now the video

3- Misra

Finally the misra, first the chart

Now the lyrics and the surs, they look like a lot but most of it is repeated, some from the main as well, so dont get intimidated

Singa Chey Khaar Dasay Yay Noom Khkulay They

MaMa PaPa DhaDha PaPa NeNeNe

Pa Sari Lagi Da Janan Pashantay

GaGaGa PaPa DhaPa DhaPa MaMa

Dalta Booda Khkulay Mashoom Khkulay They

MaMa PaPa DhaDha PaPa NeNeNe

Paighlay Yay Nung Lari Da Zwan Pashantay

GaGaGa PaPa DhaPa DhaPa MaMa

Da Malakand Pashantay Daangay Gharay

GaGa ReSa SaSaSa Re GaGaGa

Da Her Zalmi Zra yay Khyber They Kana

GaGa Ma PaPa DhaPa DhaPa MaMa

Da Her Zee Khpal Khwandoona Khpalay Mazay

DhaDha PaPa MaMa GaMa GaGa Re

Kho Paikhawar

ReRe Ga Ma

Kho Paikhawar they Kana

GaGa ReGaRe SaSa

Now the video

Here is the full version from Yaar Gul Ustaad

now the list of surs used in the song

Now to break up the song,

1-Main Body (Sir Nama):

First the chart for this part of the song:

Pa they Bara Kay

Sa T Sa T    Ma Ma

Oba gaaday waaday zee na

Ma Ma  Pa R Pa R Pa R Pa

Shinwaari Lawangeena

Ma Ma  Pa R Pa R Pa R Pa

Wa Shinwaaari La Wang eena

Ma Pa R Sa(.) R Pa   MaMaMaMa

here is the video

2-Piece

First the chart:

now the break up

Sa(.) Sa(.) Sa(.)  Ne Y Sa(.) Ne R      Ma Pa Ma Pa   R Ne R Pa Ma  MaMaMa

and now the video

3-Misra:

Now for the final part, first the surs used in this section

The following three lines are to be repeated two to three times in this order, and then comes the second part of the misra

Za da Sailaab na yaara na kram

Sa(.)Sa(.) Ne Sa(.) Y Sa(.) Ne R Pa

Shinwaari Lawangeena

Ma Ma  Pa R Pa R Pa R Pa

Wa Shinwaaari La Wang eena

Ma Pa R Sa(.) R Pa   MaMaMaMa 

Now the second part

Pa khpal himat ba,

Sa T Sa T    Ma Ma

pooray ghaaray la warzama

Ma Ma  Pa R Pa R Pa R Pa

Shinwaari Lawangeena

Ma Ma  Pa R Pa R Pa R Pa

Wa Shinwaaari La Wang eena

Ma Pa R Sa(.) R Pa   MaMaMaMa

Now the video

Anyway for this lesson, we are uploading separate sur charts for each of the three parts i.e. main body, piece and misra.

So start practicing! And do let us know how you are progressing!

Note: We specially thank an anonymous editor who volunteered to painstakingly correct the paragraph above. What you see right now is a result of many painful iterations, that resulted in high blood pressure for our editor. We thank our editor for this support and hope for more of the same in the future. I hope our editor is satisfied with this effort.

Full Song

So here is a list of all the surs that will be used today followed by the full song from Yaar Gul Ustaad.

now the song

2- Main Body (Sir Nama)

First the chart of surs to be used for this part only

As you can see now, this part is mostly concentrated on the upper two strings i.e. Kattay (top most) and Bum (the middle one), the thinnest and the lowest is called Zeer.

So here it goes,

Ma ta pa Speena Khula Khandal Makawa                   Murr Ba Ma Kay

Sa T Ga MaMaMa  Pa Dha Pa MaMa                    PaPa Ma Ga

Zma Janaana Murr Ba May Kay

Ga Pa Dha Ne       Dha Pa MaMaMa

Now here is the video

3- Piece

Its a pretty simple one, mostly concentrating on Bum and Zeer

here is the chart

Now the surs,

Sa(.)Sa(.) NeNe DhaDha  DhaDha Ne Sa(.)           Dha Ne Dha Pa Ma MaMaMa

and now the video

4-Misra

The chart for just the beginning of the misra is below, the second part is sung the same as the main body.

Now the lyrics

Rasha Pa Stargo                                                              Aao Kay May Khoob Sha

Ma Dha Ma   Sa(.)Sa(.)  NeNe                              DhaNeDha PaPa MaMa

Da Showgeero da Biltana Wahaly thee na              Murr Ba May kay

Sa T Ga MaMaMa  Pa Dha Pa MaMa                PaPa Ma Ga

Zma Janaana Murr Ba May Kay

Ga Pa Dha Ne       Dha Pa MaMaMa

and here is the video.

This rabab has been sold.

and now the chart for the parday to be used in today’s lesson.

Sir Nama (Main Body):

Zma Khkulay Janana                                Za Zaaar Sham La Ta Na

Sa(.)  Sa(.)Sa(.) Ne Dha Sa(.)Sa(.)          Sa(.) NeNe DhaPa NeNe

Maa Ma Shara da Zaana                           Qurbaan they Shama

Ne DhaPaMaGaPaPa                                  Ma Ne Dha Pa Ma

Asssalaaaaaaaaaam                                   Asssalaaaaaaaaaam

Dha Ne Sa(.) (7times) Ne                         Dha Ne Sa(.) (7times) Ne

here is the video

2- Piece

No vocals

DhaNeSa(.)  Sa(.)W Sa(.)W Sa(.)Ne DhaPaMa MaPaDhaPaNe DhaPaMa

Now the video

3-Misra

Shaida Chey Za Pa Ta Shwama                                       Da Khpal Prado Juda

GaGa GaT GaT GaT GaT GaT GaT GaT                          Ma ReGaReSaSa

Ruswa Na Wom Ruswa Shwama                                    Da Khalko Da Khanda Shwama

GaGaGa TT Sa SaSaSa                                                         TTT SaSaSaSa

Garzaygum Pa Wayraana                                                 Za Zaar Shwama La Tana  

Sa(.)  Sa(.)Sa(.) Ne Dha Sa(.)Sa(.)                                    Sa(.) NeNe DhaPa NeNe

Maa Ma Shara da Zaana                                                      Qurbaan they Shama

Ne DhaPaMaGaPaPa                                                             Ma Ne Dha Pa Ma

Asssalaaaaaaaaaam                                                              Asssalaaaaaaaaaam

Dha Ne Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Ne                Dha Ne Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Ne

and the video

Here is the complete version

Now we break the song into its various parts

1-      The Main Body

The main body of the song in its lyrics and the accompanying surs on the rabab are as follows, the following chart indicates the main surs used in this song.

Main Body with the lyrics:

Da Zamoong Zeba Watan                         Da Zamoong Laila Watan

Ne NeNeNe NeDha Sa(.)Ne              Ne NeNeNe NeDha Sa(.)Ne

Da watan mo Zaan they                            Da Afghanistan

Dha PaDha   X     MaDha                     Dha  NeDhaXMa

Here is how Yar Gul Ustaad plays it

2-      Piece

The piece is as follows

NeSa(.)WSa(.)Ne   DhaXMaDha  DhaXMaMa  MaXGaXNe  NeSa(.)NeDhaXMaMa

Here it is on video

3-      Misra

Lyrics along with the rabab surs

Da Watan they Zaan Zamoong                     Da Watan Emaan Zamoong

Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.) WSa(.)Ne       Dha NeDhaDha X MaMa

Wai pa Khapooro kay                                       Daasay Mashooman Zamong

Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.) WSa(.)Ne       Dha NeDhaDha X MaMa

Da mo da dada watan                                         Da Mo da baba watan

Ne NeNeNe NeDa Sa(.)Ne                           Ne NeNeNe NeDa Sa(.)Ne

Da watan mo Zaan they                                     Da Afghanistan

Dha PaDha   X     MaDha                              Dha  NeDhaXMa

Here it is on video

This is the complete version

Now we break the song into its parts:

1- Main Body

The main body of the song comprises of the lyrics:

Wa Malanga Yaara Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro,

Maza Rub Da Para, Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro

Da The Gudar Ghara Praig na they, Da the Guda Ghara Praig na they,

Aay Malanga Yaara Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro,

Maza Rub Da Para, Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro

Now we translate this into the language of the Rabab, i.e. the Surs. Like I said in the introduction of this blog, both me and Yar Gul Ustaad are not that well versed in sur terminology, so mistakes pointed out will be greatly appreciated.

Since this song needs surs other than the ones showed in the videos from the last lesson, we will use our own terminology. Please follow this chart to follow the strumming instructions.

Note: surs with no breaks in between are to be played in continuation, a break represents a small pause

Wa Malanga Yaara          Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro

DhaPaDhaPa  NeGa           DhaPaDhaX  MaMa

Maza Rub Da Para            Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro

DhaPaDhaPa  NeGa          DhaPaDhaX  MaMa

Da the Gudar Ghaara                             Praig Na They

Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)  Sa(.)      Sa(.)NeDha

Da the Gudar Ghaara                            Praig na They

Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)Sa(.)  Sa(.)      Sa(.)NeDha

Wa Malanga Yaara          Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro

DhaPaDhaPa  NeGa           DhaPaDhaX  MaMa

Maza Rub Da Para            Kaigda Kadam Wro Wro

DhaPaDhaPa  NeGa          DhaPaDhaX  MaMa

Here is how its played on the Rabab.

2- Piece

The piece is an interlude between the vocal parts of the songs, since this is a folk song, the main body will be complemented by tapay or misray, but before a misra starts a piece is played, which is without vocals. Here is the chart again, followed by the surs for the Piece.

MaDhaMa      NeSa(.)NeSa(.)NeSa(.)NeSa(.)      DhaNeSa(.)DhaX      MaMaXMaXDhaXMaGaMaXDhaXMaMa

Here it is on the rabab

3-Misra

Folk songs have tapay or misray that fit into the existing chorus. A misra is sung after the piece is played. Here is the chart again.

Ta The Deedan Ugay Way,   Ta The Deedan Tagay Way

Sa(.)YYZYZSa(.)                       Sa(.)WWZYWSa(.)

(No Vocals)

Sa(.)WNeSa(.)Sa(.)    Sa(.)WNeSa(.)Sa(.)

Sta Yamma Nigaara, Aao Kaigda Qadam Wro Wro

Sa(.)VVV  ZVSa(.)   SaWWYZWSa(.)

Here it is on the Rabab

Just like the frets of a guitar the rabab as “parday”, strumming individual cords while holding onto these parday will result in the desired surs.

These two videos by someone titled BOGRA3 on youtube, explains the basics of rabab. We certainly couldn’t do a better job explaining it,  so will be sharing these videos as a starter, follow the instructions and the recommended practice time, and you will hopefully be ready to move on to more complicated combinations i.e. songs.

Next Lesson

The plan is to break down songs into its different parts, for each part we will share a slowed down version of the strumming along with the breakup of the part in terms of sargam. I must warn you that we both are not that well versed in the identification of surs, so any corrections would be highly appreciated.

Feel free to send in breakdowns of songs in a similar format, and we will share them on the site.