New Delhi: 'Heeramandi' may be only a day away from release, but the Sanjay Leela Bhansali directed web series is already making waves thanks to the aueteur's distinct style of filmmaking, music production and more. As fans await the release of 'Heeramandi', we take a look at one of the songs from the film, 'Sakal Ban' that is garnering much praise from all around. Rooted in 700-year-old history, 'Sakal Ban' happens to be THE song whose lyrics have been penned by the Indo-Persian Sufi singer, musician, poet Amir Khusrau who lived during the kingship of the Delhi Sultanate.


Who is Amir Khusrao?


Amir Khusrau was an Indo-Persian Sufi singer, poet, scholar and musician who lived during the period of Delhi Sultanate. He was a mystic himself and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi. Khusrau is often referred to as the 'voice of India' or 'parrot of India' and has been called the 'father of Urdu literature'.


Khusrau is often regarded as the 'father of qawali' who also introduced the ghazal style of song in the Indian subcontinent. Amir Khusrao is credited with several love, nature poems, many of which have found their ways into modern songs, qawallis and more. Among his other popular contributions, 'Chaap Tilak' and 'Duma Dum Mast Kalandar' are well known.


What's the Sakal Ban history?


It is said that on the occasion of Basant Panchami, Khusrau saw some people going to the temple with flowers in their palms wearing yellow clothes. When Khusrau asked them what it was about, they shared that this is done to please the diety.


Later Khusrau himself brought a bouquet of flowers and arrivied dancing and singing to please his guru, Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia, who was grieving the death of his nephew.


Khusrau is said to have told his murshid that he brought these flowers to please his god, as devotees do on the occasion of Basant Panchami. 


And, as the legend goes, even today in Delhi, on Basant Panchami, yellow flowers and Chadar are offered at Hazrat Nizamuddin's shrine.


This is not the first time ‘Sakal Ban’ has been recreated on screen. 


As one of his poems titled 'Basant', Sakal bun phool rahi sarson was quoted in an issue of Saladin Ahmed's 'The Magnificent Ms. Marvel'. In Coke Studio Season 8, it was sung by Muazzam Mujahid Ali Khan and Rizwan-Muazzam. In 2020, Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi and the instrumental funk band Mughal-e-Funk released a rendition of the poem.


Now, ‘Sakal Ban’ has been recreated by Sanjay Leela Bhansali in ‘Heeramandi’.


About Sakal Ban, Heeramandi


Sung by Raja Hasan along with Umesh Joshi, Vijay Dhuri, Shripad Lele, Amit Padhye, Shahzad Ali, with lyrics by Amir Khusrao, 'Sakal Ban' has been filmed on the leading ladies of 'Heeramandi', Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Sharmin Segal.


Sakal Ban lyrics


Ae Sakal Ban ( On, in every field)
Sakal Ban
Phool Rahi Sarson ( In every field, the yellow mustard is in full bloom
Sakal Ban
Phool Rahi Sarson
Sakal Ban


Umbva Phutay, Tesu Phulay ( mango buds are all ripe to open, as are other flowers in blooming season)
Umbva Phutay, Tesu Phulay
Gori Karat Singaar ( A young woman is applying her makeup)
Malaniyan Gadhwa Lay Aayin Karson ( Women gardeners have arrived with bouquets in hand)
Sakal Ban
Phool Rahi Sarson, Sakal Ban
Phool Rahi Sarson, Sakal Ban


Tarah Tarah Kay Phool Mangaaye (Several flowers of differnet varieties were ordered)
Tarah Tarah Kay Phool Mangaaye
Lay Gadhwa Haathan Mein Aaye (They arrived holding those bouquets in their hands)
Lay Gadhwa Haathan Mein Aaye
Nizamuddin Kay Darwazay Par ( On Nizamuddin’s shrine)
Mere Nizamuddin Kay Darwazay Par
Oh Mohe Aawan Keh Gaye Aashiq Rang Aur Beet Gaye Barson Sakal Ban ( They promised to meet me, but years have passed)


Phool Rahi Sarson, Sakal Ban
Phool Rahi Sarson, Sakal Ban


The song loosely translates to a scenic view of blooming mustard flowers, mango buds and more. It talks in deliate verse about a woman applying makeup, passing type, unfulfilled promises and waiting for the beloved at Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine.


 



About Heermandi: The Diamond Bazaar


Set against the pre-partition times in the backdrop of the freedom movement against British Raj in the 1940s, 'Heeramandi' revolves around the tawaifs/courtesans of the red-light district of Heeramandi in Lahore.


Starring an ensemble cast including the likes of Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Richa Chadha, Fardeen Khan and more, 'Heeramandi' is touted to be Bhansali's grandest of grand projects till date.


'Heeramandi' will begin streaming from May 1, 2024.


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