Mast Qalandar: Lyrics, meaning and significance

13th-century Sufi poem attributed to Amir Khusrow and later modified by Baba Bulleh Shah, celebrates the unifying figure of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a saint revered by both Hindus and Muslims.

Khusrow has been on my mind recently. First, with Chaap Tilak and, more recently, Sakala Bana, it seems 13th-century poetry is seeing a minor resurgence thanks to platforms like Coke Studio. This classic, also supposedly written by Amir Khusrow, is more than just a musical piece. It's a powerful symbol of cultural unity in the Indian subcontinent.

Dedicated to Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 13th-century Sufi saint, the song transcends religious boundaries, bringing together Hindus and Muslims in a shared spiritual experience. The song originated in the 13th or 14th century and was believed to have been written by Amir Khusrau and later modified by Baba Bulleh Shah. Its roots lie in Sindh, Pakistan, where Shahbaz Qalandar settled and preached love and tolerance between religious communities.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto used it in 1973 to predict political turmoil ahead of him, and the song and phrase boomeranged into the public imagination. In its simplest form, it’s rendered as a Qawwali - a popular traditional Sindhi Sufi Islamic folk song across the northern Indian subcontinent, especially Punjab and Sindh, as well as Iran.

Both religions claimed Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, and he was referred to as both "Hazrat" (to Muslims) and "Jhulelaal" (to Hindus).

Portrait of a Sufi Saint - Late 18th century

Lyrics and meaning

*Note, that Jhule - could signify swinging (as in sitting on a swing), or swaying.

हो लाल मेरी पत रखियो बला झूले लालण
Ho lal meri pat rakhio bala jhule lalan
Oh Lal, keep my honor safe, O swaying Lalan

सिंदड़ी दा सेवण दा
Sinddi da sevan da
From Sindh, the beloved one

सखी शाह बाज़ कलन्दर
Sakhi Shah Baz Kalander
O friend, the majestic saint Kalander

दमादम मस्त कलन्दर
Damadam mast kalander
Forever intoxicated, the ecstatic Kalander

अली दम दम दे अन्दर
Ali dam dam de andar
Ali is within every breath

हो लाल मेरी -हो लाल मेरी
Ho lal meri - ho lal meri
Oh Lal, my Lal

— VERSE 1 —

चार चराग़ तेरे बरण हमेशा
Char chiragh tere baran hamesha
Four lamps forever illuminate your path

पंजवा मैं बारण आई बला झूले लालण
Panjva mein baran aai bala jhule lalan
The fifth has come to bless, O swaying Lalan

— VERSE 2 —

हिंद सिंद पीरा तेरी नौबत बाजे
Hind Sind pira teri naubat baje
In India and Sindh, your glory resounds

नाल बजे घड़ियाल बला झूले लालण
Naal baje ghadial bala jhule lalan
Along with the drums, O swaying Lalan

— VERSE 3 —

हर दम पीरा तेरी ख़ैर होवे
Har dam pira teri khair hove
May there always be well-being for you, O beloved

नाम-ए-अली बेड़ा पार लगा झूले लालण
Nam-e-Ali beda paar laga jhule lalan
With the name of Ali, the pain is relieved, O swaying Lalan

Lyrics credit: https://www.smule.com/song/runa-laila-ji-dama-dam-mast-kalandar-hindi-lyrics-karaoke-lyrics/16666923_16666923/arrangement

Popular renditions of this song

Runa Laila’s version is the one that I listened to first as a child. It was energetic and the crescendo towards the end always captivated me before I figured out it was the standard recipe for all Qawwalis.

Another one I keep going back to is this version by Quratulain Balouch ft. Akbar Ali & Arieb Azhar.

Last, I’ll share this recent gem from the great Nusrat Sahab in Birmingham. You’ll see some Sardars start dancing to the music midway, and it’s a great sight. Shahbaz Qalandar continues to build bridges across religions.

Thank you for reading, and speak to you soon!