A life so busy, it’s a lament.
A path so taken, why repent?

Why is this journey so cheerful,
when everything seems fearful?

Sad tales in these songs never die. Why? Perhaps the sentence is the prize!

Will melodies full of hidden agendas, even worries
ever be vindicated? So, too, grave stories?

Mystic leanings and ascetic visions
may vanish with their inquisitions.

Why so many why’s
Just pay back!

Countless, conscious rewards abound.
Just pay back!

Sad tales in these songs never die. Why? Perhaps the sentence is the prize!

Written by
Khalid Ahamed & Gokul Chakravarthy
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy

The din of this mute language;
awareness…the chaos of this age;
simplicity…that tired ol’ baggage;
passion…a secret rebellious rage.

This cloud this torrent;
this intoxicating lament;
animosity, so inherent;
this world, but an instrument.

This cloud this torrent;
this intoxicating lament;
animosity, so inherent;
this world, but an instrument.

Written by
Syed Murad Gilani
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy

This life we’re all aboard,
though, some mortals stay bored.
Helpless this heart, so naïve
is still willing to live.

But… why?

I forget the past, alas!
It’s these tears that I ask:
My beloved’s innocence
and wonders within, in a sense,

just… why?

This whole thing is so hollow;
this hesitancy, hard to follow.
Yet, death is the quiet one
while life seems to have won.

Listen to the heart’s restless hymns soaked in pain;
wounds without coffins, yet graves in the chest remain.

Madness fills these routes
with a search for peace, to boot.
The air is filled with this trend
that life has no means, nor end.

My heart gets sick of it, too,
a weak and helpless fool.
The innocence within my heart
and its fearless wonder falls apart.

This whole thing is so hollow
this hesitancy, hard to follow.
Yet, death is the quiet one
while life seems to have won.

Written by
Syed Murad Gilani
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy

What is this heart of mine curious about?
Is it you that my heart worries about?
Silence after silence piles up on one another.
In all this melancholy, how does this longing sprout?

I’m leaving in your care, my heart’s nagging query;
My ever falling heart, in darkness, remains buried.
I lay down at nature’s altar, these memories of you.
why then do those memories hide your meanness too?

Is solitude a curse?
Why am I feeling worse?
Open your heart and tell me, my heart!

Amid fame’s carcass
I keep seeking purpose
Where is my flaw, tell me, oh heart!

My wandering ways have led me to creation.
My flesh and these bones are my only fortification.
I find myself deeper and deeper in commotion,
When has inexperience ever lead one to elation?

Written by
Syed Murad Gilani
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy

We’re drinking fire; this empire does not tire,
burdened by its grief and need to acquire.

So much hustle, yet concerns remain shallow.
The able and poignant continue to wallow.

The loyal are the ones that still remain oppressed;
at times you soar high, but mostly stay depressed.

Oh, audacious heart, you reach for the sky so readily
but details and nuance, you fail at so steadily!

Your wishes, oh ruler, are keeping us so captive
that magic and splendour refuse to become active.

Eery, silent evenings fill up hell and heaven
making sure this darkness can’t be trusted even.

How I wish my memories find their voices some day
‘cause living without terror seems so rare in this day.

Turbulent, my heart overflows with tales I tell
of a realm without faith and devoid of tunes! Oh well!

Oh, audacious heart, you reach for the sky so readily
but details and nuance, you fail at so steadily!

Your wishes, oh ruler, have become our captor.
What have you done, oh you poet, you protector!

Written by
Khalid Ahamed & Gokul Chakravarthy
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy

A strange melody, a curious tone,Where peace is fleeting, and rest unknown.

The twilight of my eve speaks in hues
Yet restless it is, with longing infused.

This mute lament, how long shall it stay?
Unspoken grief, still finds its way.

My heart, though wounded, rides with grace,
A lone king in a shattered place.
No treasure’s left to meet my gaze,
No cure within this desert maze.

I have heard of tale heavy with despair,
Where hearts are wounded, gasping for air

Written by
Khalid Ahamed

My breath is heavy; my spirit is high

A fear pervades all day, every moment. Why?

My sorrow-bound soul sheds many a tear
As the night casts its shadow far and near.

My breath is burdened; sad tunes in every song.
My faith in Judgement Day has died since long.

The Garden is beset with such a thick gloom
Neither a rose nor the Garden does bloom.

Written by
Khalid Ahamed
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy

Why hold on to reason
when the word reigns supreme?
The voice of the speechless
stays hidden deep within.

Word is the companion;
it dominates every world
It owns every nuance
and every test belongs to the word.

Let no one disturb this balance
Let no one reveal this secret.

Flaws and faults bloom again
No sound, no cry, a surprise!
No dreams or visions remain;
restless blossoms arise.

As the ego cries unbearably,
countless notions turn to dust.
Only the eve soothes this tainted heart,
as it searches for a circle of trust.

Why let your passions pale,
when the word’s reign pervades?
Push your dreams beyond the scale
and behold the word cascades.

Let no one disturb this balance
Let no one reveal this secret.

Written by Umer Allaie
Additional Lyrics by Mir Kashif Iqbal
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy and Mir Kashif Iqbal

Whatever is the scent of a flower?
Wherever has it gone?

Fidelity springs from just the mention of the lover.

When the end is predetermined
there is no point keeping secrets.

Let what’s said and heard be;
conversations become meaningless refrain.
For even when beauty fades,
only the wish for love will remain.

With burdened hearts we get buried in sand;
our aspirations, futile to seek.
No gesture soothes the ailing heart;
the tongue is tied, it dare not speak.

Written by Umer Allaie
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy and Mir Kashif Iqbal

The evening air fills up with smoke
A new kind of fear runs amok
Under an endless wait, the spirit broke
Loved ones lost to awe and shock.

Lay asleep, stay dazed.
Lay asleep, stay confused
Toke control of memories so they don’t forget this pain.
Come spring time , don’t let the memories fade

Lay asleep, stay dazed,
Lay asleep, stay confused.
Lay asleep, stay dazed.
Lay asleep, stay confused

No branch to hold on for respite
source your courage from a falcon’s flight.

Lay asleep, stay dazed:
Lay asleep, stay confused

The evening air fills up with smoke
A new kind of fear runs amok.
The evening air tills up with smoke
A new kind of fear runs amok.

Lay asleep, stay dazed
Lay asleep, stay confused

The evening air fills up with smoke.
A new kind of fear runs amok:
Under an endless wait, the spirit broke.
Loved ones lost to awe and shock

Written by Mir Kashif Iqbal
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy and Mir Kashif Iqbal

In his chosen garden, he waits;
longing, seeking that one gaze,

roaming listening for that one call,
wondering if his dreams turn real at all.

The yearning heart cries out to you endlessly
as it tries to forge a path along its own breach.

This worthless heart keeps searching fearlessly
and the chosen garden’s secrets it does beseech

In his chosen garden, he waits;
His cries breaching every shut door
A vagabond, naively seeking his mate
he cries for his lover more and more

Written by Umer Allaie and Khalid Ahamed
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy and Mir Kashif Iqbal

Should we open this door, captives?
Should we speak up again, captives?
Tired yet again, are we?
Agree or not with me, captives!
Should our legacy be of a boat in stormy seas?
Why cannt we carry our belief with ease
Why should nature keep us off the fray?
The soul’s voice left with no moves to play?

Become alive again, captives!
Nothing else matters, then.

Why fret about the outcome?
Why let our shadows endure this mockery?
Let the insolent ride the tide,
but where is the time to set aside?

Become alive again, captives!
Rediscover the fountain of life

Written by Mir Kashif Iqbal and Mir Uzair Iqbal
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy and Mir Kashif Iqbal

Who am 1? Who is my allegiance to?
How can my face convey that to you?
Whatever makes me human, how am l a beast?
I’m the ocean wave, forever carefree.
Why is everything immersed in distress?
Whom can one trust and whom to resent?
The world is held captive, nature abandoned
and no face is what it represents.

Oh wise one,
Oh wise one.

The present is void of colour, the past stays tainted and dark
Amidst this obvious pretence, the grudge is justified.
The passion of a flower, I’m the song of a youthful lark
Soaring ceaselessly across the sky. it is where I reside.

Oh wise one,
Oh wise one.

I move on, unburdened.

l left my abode on a whim,
leaving worries behind, a surging wave within.
The first rule states that a witness sees it all.
I’m neither wisdom’s foe, nor a fool’s friend at all.

Whatever makes me human, how am I a beast?
I’m the ocean wave, forever carefree,
Let me amuse you as you are overcome by pride.
We live here, we die here, all things aside.
I keep moving unfettered

Written by Umer Allaie, Khalid Ahamed and Mir Kashif Iqbal
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy and Mir Kashif Iqbal

Dismissed is the art of storytelling;
dismissed is the cry of pain from hits.
Why didn’t I see this coming?
Why has this distance surpassed its limits?

Finding life’s passion is compulsory,
for, this respite might only be temporary

Dismissed are all efforts at this junction:
dismissed is courage and determination.
Why in every corner, do I find fear?
Why is everyone so numb here?

Finding life’s passion is compulsory,
for, this respite might only be temporary.

Listen before this moonlight fades away.
Listen before this traveller loses his way.

Finding this heart’s peace is a compulsion.
Listen and quell the desperation.

Dismissed is this death sentence.
Dismissed is this ladder of pride.
Why do I not get what transpired?
Why is noise treated as talent inspired?

Finding life’s passion is compulsory;
for, this respite might only be temporary

Finding life’s passion is compulsory,
for this sail might only be temporary

Finding life’s passion is compulsory,
for, this calm heart is temporary.

Oh this eve, this night, this passion, this melody
Unique (Am I from beyond the path?)
Companion (What place is this caravan from?)
Shaman (Why is everyone so numb here?)
Disciple (From desert to desert I roam here)
From desert to desert I roam here…

Written by Mir Kashif Iqbal
Additional lyric input by Khalid Ahamed
Translated by Gokul Chakravarthy and Mir Kashif Iqbal

This morning dawns in such a way,
The night we left has slipped away.
The Sheikh’s words so graceful flow,
Our tongues now silent, no power to show

Imagine a world where nights don’t fall,
Where silent words say it all.
If you listen close, that dream might be,
The one who sustains, the dream in me.

Then morning dawns, so bright, so clear,
No worries of day-to-day to fear.
The Sheikh’s words hold beauty, pure,
And now our sight has power sure.

Imagine a world where nights don’t fall,
Where silent words say it all.
If you could hear my heart’s own song,
The dream that’s kept me going strong.

Let joy be found in every land,
With spirit’s strength and voice so grand.
Expansive, fierce, like storm’s delight,
In passion’s rain, in boundless flight.

Written by Umer Allaie, Khalid Ahamed and Mir Kashif Iqbal

Come, O Gardener!
Come to create the glory of a new spring
A spring in which the roses will bloom,
The nightingale will sing

The garden is desolate, the dew is mourning
And the roses in torn robes look anxious

Come, O Gardener!
To awaken your garden

To breathe new life into the roses
To breathe new life into the nightingale
Summon an earthquake,
A storm,
The thunder,
A tornado

Written by Mahjoor
Additional Lyrics by Mir Kashif Iqbal

Oh beloved, stop and listen to the torment that pursues
The affliction is you,
the pain continues It’s you who heals,
it’s you who wreaks The childhood lost in the burning pyre

Written by Mahjoor

This fearless soul what thoughts arise?
If You are truth… then what’s disguise?
Why cry of time, if You’re beyond?
Why chase lost dreams that never bond?
Oh…

What is this fear, this silent strife?
If You are reward… what then is life?
These veils of pain, these secrets deep
Why must Your voice now fall asleep?
Oh…

This fearless soul begins to see
If You are with me, who is “me”?
What flaw is this, what unseen space?
Why must we hide, and seek Your face?

Why is there veiling, why this trial?
What is this place, this fleeting mile?
Why tombs and shrines, these sacred walls?
If You are All why any halls?

This court, this rain… this longing call
If You are near… why seek at all?

Written by Mir Kashif Iqbal and Khalid Ahamed

Drunk with wonder, famed through lore,
His stories echo evermore.
That tale he held so near to him,
Now lives with me, though light is dim.

The world, it whispered, hushed and slow,
While you were there — and time let go.
His hands held dusk, his hands held day,
Each glance a mirror on display.

His thoughts were painted soft and bright,
Each vision kissed by dreaming light.
Each word he spoke, a blushing flame,
A playful brow without a name.

From western winds, his voice once came,
A secret song, both wild and tame:
“Let go, be lost in passion’s sway,
The world is yours — just drift away.”

Who knows the tongue that mountains speak?
Or what the shadowed forests seek?
You may hear now, or miss the call —
The soul still speaks, beyond it all.

A tale of soul to soul, it flies,
Where silence speaks, and hush replies.
He was with me…
He was with me…
Still walks with me…
Still speaks in me…

He walks beside,
Still walks beside,
In every breath — he’s by my side.

Written by Mir Kashif Iqbal and Khalid Ahamed

After all these drifting years,
The call of home now stirs my tears.
I never guessed this world so wide
Would leave my soul unsatisfied.

How long to wear a smiling face?
To chase the wind, to love the chase?
The wine of life, so bittersweet
How long till I admit defeat?

Numb and dazed

The smoke that climbs where does it go?
It veils the truth I used to know.
It fills my blood, it blinds the mind,
A curtain drawn on all I find.

Numb and dazed

Written by Mir Kashif Iqbal and Khalid Ahamed

This moment sings with sweet delight,
Where every soul feels young and bright.
Nature writes in every face,
Each heart here holds a sacred grace.

So hear me now my words are true,
Even in sense, I’m lost in you.
But tell me when was I aware?
This joy-filled world beyond compare…

What lies within your dreaming eyes?
Just thoughts of him that softly rise.
And in my dreams, what do I see?
A gentle flame embracing me.

So hear me now my voice is clear,
In your crowd, distraction’s near.
If the world walks close with you,
Then God walks by my side it’s true.

So hear me now don’t drift away,
Even in sense, I’m led astray.
But tell me when was I aware?
This joy-filled world beyond compare

Written by Khalid Ahamed and Mir Kashif Iqbal

Let me be in peace, the hapless heart is restless
The once conquering psyche is now defeated

Why this pleasant pride?
Reveal this secret
O beloved night, O beloved night

At times the heart is a powerful Shaman
And yet so helpless?

The disciple is upset again
Like a numb sentient trying to scream
In the company of vibrant old hands
Yet I feel perturbed?

Silence now brings strength
This state of mind breeds contemplation
O Beloved night *4

At times the heart is a powerful Shaman
And yet so helpless?
And yet ailing?
O Beloved night………….

Written by Mir Kashif Iqbal and Khalid Ahamed

Why the sky, though wide, won’t bloom?
Why no light breaks through this gloom?
You spoke to me — but why, oh why,
Did I not hear, or even try?

Shaad, Shaad…
(Joy, joy…)

Why the sun, though near, won’t shine?
Why this hush in every line?
You called my name — so soft, so still —
Why didn’t I just bend my will?

Shaad, Shaad…

Today, someone stayed without a plea,
No reason, no word — just stayed with me.
Though pain was served by noble hands,
Why hold regret where grace should stand?

Shaad, Shaad…

Still the thorns walk close beside,
No peace within, no place to hide.
Evenings deep, yet never grand,
The soul observed, not held nor planned.
No feud with you, no war declared,
But those old evenings — none compared.

Today, someone stayed without a plea,
No reason, no word — just stayed with me.
Though pain was served by noble hands,
Why hold regret where peace should stand?

Still this secret veils my day,
A tale that won’t just fade away.
You said it so, without a pause,
But why this mood? What was the cause?

Why the sky, though wide, won’t bloom?
Why no light breaks through this gloom?
You spoke to me — but why,

Written by Khalid Ahamed and Mir Kashif Iqbal

The night holds a tale, quiet and still,
Of sorrowed souls and a silent will.
It feels like grief, a whispered hum,
A presence soft, yet leaves you numb.

So beautiful, this haunting night,
Yet words can’t paint it fully right.
So much is said in what’s unsaid,
A silent storm, where meanings bled.

This shadow moves in fits and starts,
It asks me where my spirit departs.
“Where do you wander, what’s your sign?”
I was there yesterday — today, no line.

Fluttering, I rise through your sky,
But even turning back — where would I fly?
I smile through tears, in subtle play,
Though none of this is my own way.

I saw, I thought, and all I find
Is noise, delirium, the war of time.
I wish to let go — but I cannot sever,
This melody born from a child’s endeavor.

Why does the air feel hushed and low,
This world, frozen in a silent glow?
I served your love through dusk and dawn,
But now that chain has come undone.

Once those nights were painted bright,
Now all I see is colorless light.
A wanderer told me, wild and wise,
“You’ve lost yourself — where did you hide?”

So beautiful, this aching night,
Yet it slips beyond the reach of light.
A secret kept, a soaring plea,
A mystery bound in silent key.

So beautiful, this aching night,
Yet it slips beyond the reach of light.
So much is said in what’s unsaid,
A silent storm, where meanings bled

Written by Umer Allaie and Khalid Ahamed