‘Chamba Kitni Dur' is a traditional Himachali folk song sung by many folk singers, bands and has also been featured in a Hindi movie.

The song is about a young girl from Shimla in love with someone who lives in the town of Chamba. 
She is asking her mother how far is Chamba from Shimla. (It's an overnight journey across the valley).
The girl is also trying to explain her situation and love to her mother.
Shimla no longer pleases her (though being very beautiful naturally) but she doesn’t want to live in these places as her beloved is not here with her.
The girl wants to go to Chamba and see her beloved, live with him, be with him. She is in the agony of separation from her lover, she is missing him so much that she condemns her decision to have chosen her  love from such a far away place.

Chamba Kitni Dur (Presented By Rivayat)- Manwa Sisters

‘Tobah’ is a Qawali composed by Shahzad Ali Khan Qawal and is about the trials and tribulations one faces when in the throes of love. The song features bassist Shez Raja and guitarist Gwen Lafitte as guest artists and collaborators.

Tobah (Presented By Rivayat) - Shahzad Ali Khan Qawal

‘Ghunghat Olay’ is a Sufi Kaafi performed by siblings Fiza and Hasnain Haider. Utilising Bulleh Shah's (1680-1757) Sufiana Kalam from the 18th century, ‘Ghunghat  Olay’ is the musical rendition of an anticipation and realization of one's true love or purpose in life. The song features bassist Shez Raja and guitarist Gwen Lafitte as guest artists and collaborators.

Ghunghat Olay (Presented By Rivayat) - Fiza & Hasnain Haider

‘Ranjha’ is a Sufi Kaafi written by Sufi sage Bulleh Shah's (1680-1757) and performed by vocalista Shujat Ali Khan from the illustrious Sham Churasi gharana.

Ranjha' is a ‘kafi’ written around the folk legends Heer and Ranjha, the doomed lovers who are betrayed and perish. Bulleh Shah uses the story of Heer and Ranjha as a means to allude to the devotee’s longing for God’s love and charity. 
The song features bassist Anton Davidyants and guitarist Gwen Lafitte as guest artists and collaborators.

Ranjha (Presented By Rivayat) - Shujat Ali Khan

Vocalist Wahdat Rameez performs a Seraiki Sufi Kaafi, ‘Aa Wus Sadre Kol’,  based on Raag Sindhi Bhairvi. The composition and lyrics were both composed by his father Niaz Ahmed Sb. Wahdat Rameez offers a mesmerizing performance, masterfully improvising and negotiating the many dynamics twists and turns of this musical journey.

Aa Wus Sadhery Kol (Presented By Rivayat) - Wahdat Rameez

Afzaal Ali Khan presents an original Naat ‘Aaqa Teri Rehmat’ with his Qawal party which is composed and written by Karamat Ali Asad. 
Accompanied by bassist Anton Davidyants , the Naat takes the listener through an intense spiritual journey as the performance gathers momentum and intensity. This release is the 7th one marking the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Aaqa Teri Rehmat (Presented By Rivayat) - Afzaal Ali Khan

With a haunting, dreamlike musical setting, the beautiful Kinarey, based on the Aiman Raga, (also known as the Lydian Mode in the West) concludes the record.

Lyrics
کنارے کنارے کنارے

kinaare kinaare kinaare

By the shore, by the shore, by the shore

کنارے دریا کشتی باندھو

kinaare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boat by the river shore

موج آئے بہرِ الفت میں خضر

mauj aaye bahr-i ulfat men khizar

Let joyous waves surge in friendship’s sea, Khizar

کنارے کنارے کنارے

kinaare kinaare kinaare

By the shore, by the shore, by the shore

کنارے دریا کشتی باندھو

kinaare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boat by the river shore

موج آئے بہرِ الفت میں خضر

mauj aaye bahr-i ulfat men khizar

Let joyous waves surge in friendship’s sea, Khizar


کنارے کنارے کنارے

kinaare kinaare kinaare

By the shore, by the shore, by the shore

کنارے دریا کشتی باندھو

kinaare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boat by the river shore

موج آئے بہرِ الفت میں خضر

mauj aaye bahr-i ulfat men khizar

Let joyous waves surge in friendship’s sea, Khizar


کھیونہار کی لاج تمہی کو

khewanhaar ki laaj tumhi ko

The boatman’s pride and honour rests in your hands

کھیونہار کی لاج تمہی کو

khewanhaar ki laaj tumhi ko

The boatman’s pride and honour rests in your hands

داتا کھڑی ہوں

daata khaṛi hoon

O benefactor, I am standing


دوارے دوارے دوارے

du’aare du’aare du’aare

Near the shore, near the shore, near the shore

دوارے دریا کشتی باندھ

du’aare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boar near the shore

موج آئے بہرِ الفت میں خضر

mauj aaye bahr-i ulfat men khizar

Let joyous waves surge in friendship’s sea, Khizar

دوارے دوارے دوارے

du’aare du’aare du’aare

Near the shore, near the shore, near the shore

دوارے دریا کشتی باندھو

du’aare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boar near the shore

موج آئے بہرِ الفت میں خضر

mauj aaye bahr-i ulfat men khizar

Let joyous waves surge in friendship’s sea, Khizar





کنارے کنارے کنارے

kinaare kinaare kinaare

By the shore, by the shore, by the shore

کنارے دریا کشتی باندھو

kinaare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boat by the river shore

کنارے کنارے کنارے

kinaare kinaare kinaare

By the shore, by the shore, by the shore

کنارے دریا کشتی باندھو

kinaare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boat by the river shore

کنارے کنارے کنارے

kinaare kinaare kinaare

By the shore, by the shore, by the shore

کنارے دریا کشتی باندھو

kinaare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boat by the river shore


کنارے کنارے کنارے

kinaare kinaare kinaare

By the shore, by the shore, by the shore


کنارے دریا کشتی باندھو

kinaare darya kashti baandho

Tie up the boat by the river shore


موج آئے بہرِ الفت میں خضر

mauj aaye bahr-i ulfat men khizar

Let joyous waves surge in friendship’s sea, Khizar

Personnel
Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Shakers, Gharra

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Andholan 2020

Kinarey

Mehg, based on the raga of the same name, and also mythically, reputed to bring about rainfall, evokes a sense of shimmering rain and the swill of water.
Adding to this sense of effortless fluidity, is the very ambient and operatic treatment given to the music, making the track seem like an invocation to the heavens to open.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Shakers, Gharra

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Mehg

Sindhi Bhairvi features stand out ensemble playing from all members and features much syncopated call and response from the dynamic and super tight rhythm section.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Shakers, Gharra

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Sindhi Bhairvi

The Eastern Classical Raga Maalkouns, finds an epic treatment here at the hands of master flautist, Muhammad Ahsan Papu, vocalist Javed Bashir and guitarist Mekaal Hasan.
Grand in sound and drenched with energy and attitude, Maalkouns is one of the heaviest and yet most dynamic of songs that the band has to offer in this record.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitar
Mohd Ahsan Papu : Flute
Amir Azhar : Bass
Gumby: Drums

Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Maalkouns

This Bulleh Shah (1680-1757) Sufiana Kaafi from the 18th century is set to a very upbeat vibe, musically taking the listener on a inviting journey of catchy hooks, riffs and solid rock grooves

Lyrics

آؤ سیّو رل دیو نی ودھائی
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ اور مجھے مبارکباد دو)

aao sayyo ral deyo ni wadhaayi
Come together and congratulate me, my dear friends

آؤ سیّو رل دیو نی ودھائی
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ اور مجھے مبارکباد دو)

aao sayyo ral deyo ni wadhaayi
Come together and congratulate me, my dear friends

میں ور پایا رانجھا ماہی
(میں نے رانجھا سا بر/دولہا پایا ہے)

main war paaya raanjha maahi
My beloved Ranjha has come to woo me

آؤ سیّو رل دیو نی ودھائی
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ اور مجھے مبارکباد دو)

aao sayyo ral deyo ni wadhaayi
Come together and congratulate me, my dear friends

آؤ سیّو رل...
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ)

aao sayyo ral
Come together, and...

اجّ تاں روز مبارک چڑھیا
(آج تو مبارک روز آیا ہے)

ajj taan roz mubaarak charhiya
A blessed day has dawned today

اجّ تاں روز مبارک چڑھیا
(آج تو مبارک دن آیا ہے)

ajj taan roz mubaarak charhiya
A blessed day has dawned today

رانجھا ساڈے ویہڑے وڑیا
(رانجھا ہمارے آنگن میں داخل ہوا ہے)

raanjha saade vehre wariya
Ranjha has come into my courtyard

ہتھ کھونڈی سر کمبل دھریا
(ہاتھ میں مڑی ہوئی چھڑی اور سر پر کمبل لئے)

hatth khoondi sir kambal dhariya
With a bent cane in his hand, and a rough blanket draped over his head

ہتھ کھونڈی سر کمبل دھریا
(ہاتھ میں مڑی ہوئی چھڑی اور سر پر کمبل لئے)

hatth khoondi sir kambal dhariya
With a bent cane in his hand, and a rough blanket draped over his head

چاکاں والی شکل بنائی
(اس نے چرواہوں والی شکل بنائی ہوئی ہے)

chaakaan waali shakl banaayi
He has come dressed as a humble cowherd

آؤ سیّو رل دیو نی ودھائی
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ اور مجھے مبارکباد دو)

aao sayyo ral deyo ni wadhaayi
Come together and congratulate me, my dear friends

آؤ سیّو رل...
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ)

aao sayyo ral
Come together and...

بلّھے شاہ میں اک سودا کیتا
(بلھے شاہ میں نے اک سودا کیا)

bullhe shaah main ik sauda keeta
Bulleh Shah, I have struck a bargain

کیتا، زہر پیالہ پیتا
(میں نے زہر کا پیالہ پیا)

keeta zahr piyaala peeta
I have drunk a cup of poison

نہ کجھ لاہا ٹوٹا لیتا
(نہ کچھ نفع، نہ نقصان اٹھایا)

nah kujh laaha ṭoṭa leeta
I neither gained any profit, nor suffered any loss

نہ کجھ لاہا ٹوٹا لیتا
(نہ کچھ نفع، نہ نقصان اٹھایا)

nah kujh laaha ṭoṭa leeta
I neither gained any profit, nor suffered any loss

دکّھاں درداں دی گھٹڑی چائی
(میں نے دکھ و درد کا بوجھ اٹھایا)

dukkhaan dardaan di gaṭhri chaayi
I bore the burden of grief and anguish

آؤ سیّو رل دیو نی ودھائی
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ اور مجھے مبارکباد دو)

aao sayyo ral deyo ni wadhaayi
Come together and congratulate me, my dear friends


آؤ سیّو رل دیو نی ودھائی
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ اور مجھے مبارکباد دو)

aao sayyo ral deyo ni wadhaayi
Come together and congratulate me, my dear friends

میں ور پایا رانجھا ماہ
میں ور پایا رانجھا ماہی
(میں نے رانجھا سا بر/دولہا پایا ہے)

main war paaya raanjha maahi
My beloved Ranjha has come to woo me

آؤ سیّو رل دیو نی ودھائی
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ اور مجھے مبارکباد دو)

aao sayyo ral deyo ni wadhaayi
Come together and congratulate me, my dear friends

آؤ سیّو رل...
(سکھیو، سب مل کے آؤ)

aao sayyo ral
Come together and...

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Shakers, Gharra

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Sayon

Based on the popular Bheem Plassi Raga, Bheem is set amongst a musical journey that has various twists and turns,each taking the listener through a tripped out, psychedelic experience.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Shakers, Gharra

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Bheem

This South Indian Raag, Champakalli, is also known as the 'Lydian Flat 7 Scale' or 'Lydian Dominant'  in Western music.
A traditional classical bandish based on the raga, set out over a gorgeous palette of guitar tones and flute textures, takes you through an aural landscape which is all at once haunting, alluring and dark.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Shakers, Gharra

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Champakalli

The opening track, Ghungat, charges out, setting the stage for a tour de force of the band's virtuosity.

Utilising Bulleh Shah's (1680-1757) sufiana kalam from the 18th century, Ghungat is the musical rendition of an anticipation and realisation of one's true love or purpose in life.

Lyrics

Ghunghat ohley na luk sajna
Main mushtaq dedar de haan
Hide not behind the veil, my love,
I long to have a glimpse of you.

Terey bajho dewani hoyi
Tokaan kardey lok sbhoi
Jeker yaar karey diljoi
Taan faryaad pukaar de haan
Without my love, I feel desolate,
People around me mock my helplessness.
He should come and lift up my spirits,
This alone remains my plea,

Ghunghat ohley na luk sajna
Main mushtaq dedar de haan
Hide not behind the veil, my love,
I long to have a glimpse of you.

Muft mukandi jandi bandi
Mil mahi jind aweien jandi
Eik dam hijar nahi main sahndi
Bulbul main gulzar de haan
Your slave is being auctioned free
Come my love and rescue me
No longer can I perch elsewhere
I am the Bulbul of your tree

Ghunghat ohley na luk sajna
Main mushtaq dedar de haan
Hide not behind the veil, my love,
I long to have a glimpse of you.

Bulleh Shah owh kon utam tera yaar
Ows dey hath Quraan hey owsey gul zanaar
Bulleh! Who is He?
A strange type of friend!
He has the Quran in his hand
And in the same the holy thread

Ghunghat ohley na luk sajna
Main mushtaq dedar de haan
Hide not behind the veil, my love,
I long to have a glimpse of you.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Shakers, Gharra

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Ghungat

Sanwal is an original MHB song written around Raag Charokashi, whose Western equivalent in terms of scale notes is the Mixolydian Flat 13 scale or mode.
The song has been a favourite on many talent shows and has been one of the most covered songs on TV. The song's lyrics were penned by Lahore based poet Farhat Abbas Shah and the melody was composed by Mekaal Hasan Band's first vocalist, Riaz Ali Khan Sb.

Lyrics

O my beloved!
Please come to me
Listen! Can't you hear the wailing
of my soul?
I am forlorn. I am torn
My beloved is nowhere to be found
I have no way of going to him
O my beloved,
Please come to me
Can't you hear me wailing?
Desolate am I
Hanging aimlessly. Neither here nor there
I have lost everything. I have lost it all
O my beloved!
Please come to me.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Sanwal

'Chal Bulleya' is a Sufi Kafi written by the great Sufi sage Baba Bulleh Shah. Bulleh Shah is believed to have been born in 1680, in the small village of Uch, Bahawalpur, Punjab, now in Pakistan. His ancestors had migrated from Bukhara in modern Uzbekistan .
At the age of six months, his parents relocated to Malakwal. There, his father, Shah Muhammad Darwaish, made a living as a preacher in the village mosque and also as a teacher. His father later got a job in Pandoke, about 50 miles southeast of Kasur. 
Bulleh Shah received his early schooling in Pandoke, and moved to Kasur for higher education, to become a student of the prominent professor, Ghulam Murtaza. He also received education from Maulana Mohiyuddin. His spiritual teacher was the eminent Sufi saint, Shah Inayat Qadri.

Bulleh Shah was a direct descendant of Muhammad, through the progeny of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Gillani of Baghdad.

A large amount of what is known about Bulleh Shah comes through legends, and is subjective; to the point that there isn’t even agreement among historians concerning his precise date and place of birth. Some “facts” about his life have been pieced together from his own writings. Other “facts” seem to have been passed down through oral traditions.

Bulleh Shah practiced the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry established by poets like Shah Hussain (1538 – 1599), Sultan Bahu (1629 – 1691), and Shah Sharaf (1640 – 1724).

Bulleh Shah lived in the same period as the famous Sindhi Sufi poet, Shah Abdul Latif Bhatai (1689 – 1752). His lifespan also overlapped with the legendary Punjabi poet Waris Shah (1722 – 1798), of Heer Ranjha fame, and the famous Sindhi Sufi poet Abdul Wahad (1739 – 1829), better known by his pen-name, Sachal Sarmast (“truth seeking leader of the intoxicated ones”). Amongst Urdu poets, Bulleh Shah lived 400 miles away from Mir Taqi Mir (1723 – 1810) of Agra.

He died in 1758, and his tomb is located in Kasur, Pakistan 

Lyrics

O’ Bulleh Shah let’s go there
Where everyone is blind
Where no one recognizes our caste
(or race, or family name)
And where no one believes in us
Self-obsession and indifference will tear
you apart like spun cotton or a lamb to
the slaughter
Listen to Bhagat Kabir, Bulleha, both
situations are not desirable
Bulleh Shah is happiest when people mingle
and eat to their heart’s content
O Bulleh, just love your God and ignore
the chidings
When they say you are an infidel,
say “Yes I am one

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums
Javed Akhtar : Gharra & Hand Percussion 

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Chal Bulleya

Bandeya is a ‘Sufiana Kafi’ oriented song written by MHB with lyrics by Pakistani poet Ahmed Anis. This track features a more funk and groove based approach to the style of material the band is associated with. The song also features some departures in terms of sounds, with Papu's distortion laced flute solos creating a voice which is part sarangi and part human.

Lyrics

The world and all it contains is mortal
There is no salvation without compliance
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Status and wealth will not help
Only good deeds will prevail here and
In the hereafter
Your sins will wear you down
And haunt you till the end
The worldly pleasures they are but temporary.

Personnel

Javed Bashir : Lead Vocals
Mekaal Hasan : Guitars
Mohammad Ahsan 'Papu': Flutes
Amir Azhar : Bass
Louis Pinto 'Gumby': Drums

Album Mixed, Mastered and Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Bandeya

This Persian tarana was written by Hazrat Amir Khusrao (1253–1325), an iconic figure in the cultural history of the Indian subcontinent, who, apart from being an expert in many styles of Persian poetry, is also considered the father of Qawalli as well as the inventor of the Sitar and Tabla.

Lyrics
Yar-e-man bia bia.
Dar Tan tadim,
Ta-nan Ta na dim, Tom Ta Na Na Na

Ba labam raseeda jaanum
Fu bia ke zinda maanum
Pas azari ki man na maanum,
Ba cheh kar khahi amud.

Which translates:

O love, come soon, come at once.
Come and enter my body,
for I am yours, come

My life hangs on my lips,
Come thou that I may live again,
for if thou shall come when I am no more,
to what avail shall it be.

Personnel

Mekaal Hasan – Guitar
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John "Gumby" Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed Akhtar 

Recorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan

All songs written and music composed by Mekaal Hasan Band

Album Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Sampooran 2020

Darbari

This is an instrumental track which shows yet another side to the writing style of the band.

Late Moon

Shah Hussain (1538-1599), a renowned Punjabi Sufi poet, is also regarded as a Sufi saint and a great ‘kafi’ master (a Kafi is a refrain with rhymed lines). He wrote some immortal pieces, amongst which is Raba, an invocation to God. 
For Mekaal Hasan Band, Rabba was first featured on Sampooran, the debut MHB record. The song has a wide fan-following. It inspires great hope in times of difficulty and MHB’s rendition remains well-rooted in creating the right musical ambience for a most lyrical melody that is sung from the heart. 
Shah Hussain is also often known as Shah Hussain Faqir - Faqir meaning Dervish ( mendicant ) and Shah means King. Due to his extremely humble Sufi persona, people called him 'The Dervish King', a person who was a King and a Dervish at the same time.

Shah Hussain's love for a Brahmin boy called "Madho" or "Madho Lal" is famous, and they are often referred to as a single person with the composite name of "Madho Lal Hussain".
Madho's tomb lies next to Hussain's in the shrine.

His tomb and shrine is located at the Baghbanpura precincts, adjacent to the Shalimar Gardens Lahore, Pakistan. His Urs (annual death anniversary) is celebrated at his shrine every year during the "Mela Chiraghan" ("Festival of Lights").

Lyrics

My God, you are my everything, you are everything
Without you, I am but nothing.
My God, you are the keeper of what’s in my heart, you live in my heart, 
In my soul, in my very being – you are everywhere, 
The keeper of what’s in my heart.
My very being, my reason to be is because of you – only you, 
The keeper of what’s in my heart.
Says Hussain who serves the Lord, 
You are everything that I am or can be –
The keeper of what’s in my heart.

Personnel

Mekaal Hasan – Guitar
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John "Gumby" Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed Akhtar 

Recorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan

All songs written and music composed by Mekaal Hasan Band

Album Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Raba

Shah Hussain (1538–1591) was a Punjabi Sufi poet who is regarded as a Sufi saint. He was the son of Sheikh Usman, and belonged to the Dhudhi clan of Rajputs. Born in Lahore, Punjab, he is considered to be a pioneer of the Kafi form of Punjabi poetry. 
Shah Hussain is also often known as Shah Hussain Faqir - Faqir meaning Dervish ( mendicant ) and Shah means King. So due to his extremely humble Sufi personality, people called him The Dervish King, a person who was a King and a Dervish at the same time.

Shah Hussain's love for a Brahmin boy called "Madho" or "Madho Lal" is famous, and they are often referred to as a single person with the composite name of "Madho Lal Hussain". Madho's tomb lies next to Hussain's in the shrine.

His tomb and shrine is located at the Baghbanpura precincts, adjacent to the Shalimar Gardens Lahore, Pakistan. His Urs (annual death anniversary) is celebrated at his shrine every year during the "Mela Chiraghan" ("Festival of Lights")
This ‘kafi', works on a dual level, the physical and the spiritual. In this beautifully written poem, the comparison is ostensibly between two lovers but at a spiritual level, it is the desire of a mortal to seek a lasting relationship with God.  
Shah Hussain talks of the need for a ‘wakeel’ – a mediator, someone who understands and helps. The reference is to the Prophet and seeking his help in finding true salvation. The concluding lyrics refer to Shah Hussain as a ‘fakir’ or mendicant who laments the transitory nature of life on earth and the ultimate reconciliation of man with his destiny. 
In treating this deeply spiritual message, MHB has approached the melody like a soft and lilting ballad that tugs at the heartstrings, makes us reflect on life and in doing so finding that moment that soothes the soul.

Lyrics

My beloved has my hand in his,
how can I tell him to leave my hand
The night is dark & stormy,
without a companion/guide/teacher I am lost.
He holds my hand so tightly & with such passion
How can I tell him to leave?
One day you too will release me.
Hussain, the servant of God says,
With just a glance you entered my heart.

Personnel

Mekaal Hasan – Guitar
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John "Gumby" Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed Akhtar 

Recorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan

All songs written and music composed by Mekaal Hasan Band

Album Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Sajan

A classical composition based on Raag Aiman, Sampooran is set in one of the most moving of all Raags. This bandish is attributed to the legendary Hazrat Amir Khusro (1253-1325), the father of qawwali, an Indian musician, scholar and poet of Persian descent. 
MHB’s interpretation of this ‘bandish’ is unique and reflects the band’s ability to give this ageless melody a new dimension. Largely instrumental, the melody is balanced by an improvised ‘alap’.

Personnel

Mekaal Hasan – Guitar
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John "Gumby" Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed Akhtar 

Recorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan

All songs written and music composed by Mekaal Hasan Band

Album Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Sampooran

Amrita Pritam (1919-2005) was an Indian writer and poet, considered the first prominent Punjabi woman, poet, novelist, essayist, and the leading 20th- century poet of the Punjabi language with over 100 books to her name.
Her poignant poem, Aj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu (Today I invoke Waris Shah)- is an elegy addressed to the 18th- century Punjabi poet, capturing her anguish over massacres during the Partition of India (1947). 
Waris Shah (1722-1798) was a Punjabi Sufi poet, born in Jandiallah Sher Khan, in what is now the Punjab in Pakistan.
He is best- known for his work Heer Ranjha, based on the traditional and tragic folk tale of Heer and her lover Ranjha, considered one of the quintessential works of classical Punjabi literature.
Waris Shah, the sufi sage, was a consummate artiste, deeply learned in Sufi knowledge and local cultural lore. His verse is considered a treasure- trove of Punjabi phrases, idioms and imagery.

Lyrics

I implore Waris Shah, to speak from his
grave and add a new page to his book of love
Arise, O friend of the afflicted; arise and
see the state of Punjab,
Corpses strewn on fields and the Chenab
flowing with blood
I implore Waris Shah, to speak from his grave
and add a new page to his book of love
The flute that was turned to love is lost
and all have forgotten the ways of love
and humanity
I implore Waris Shah, to speak from his grave
and add a new page to his book of love
Blood has rained on the soil; the graves ooze
with blood, he princesses’ of love now weep
in graveyards.
Today all have become Quaidos*
thieves of love and beauty
Where can we find another one like Waris Shah
to write about this calamity?
Waris Shah! I implore you. Speak from your
grave and add a new page to your book of love

[*Quaido, a maternal uncle of Heer in “Heer Ranjha” the love epic written by Waris Shah, is the villain who betrays the lovers]

Personnel

Mekaal Hasan – Guitar
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John "Gumby" Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed Akhtar 

Recorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan

All songs written and music composed by Mekaal Hasan Band

Album Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Waris Shah

This classical bandish composed by Ustad Salamat Ali Khan is a fervent appeal to Hazrat Ali, seeking his intervention in easing the suffering of his devotee. 
This invocation is a traditional masterpiece popularised by Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and has been sung in various genres by musicians over the years. It has immense appeal and is usually the finale in the Mekaal Hasan Band’s repertoire. Largely improvised, the band has performed Ya Ali with resounding passion over and over again.

Lyrics

Oh Ali, help me overcome my suffering 
Please ease my difficulties
I have been turned down and rejected just because I am poor
Please do not turn me away from your door for the same reason
If you do not bless me, whom will I turn to?
If you do not listen to me

Personnel

Mekaal Hasan – Guitar
Javed Bashir – Vocals
Mohammad Ahsan Papu – Flute
John "Gumby" Louis Pinto – Drums on Tracks 1,2,3,4
Pete Lockett – Drums and Percussion on Tracks 5,6,7,8
Bass: Michael Mondesir on Tracks 1,5,6,8
Bass: Sameer Ahmed on Track 3, MH on Track 4
Keyboards,Percussion and Co-Composer: Javed Akhtar 

Recorded & Mixed at Digital Fidelity Studios, Lahore, Pakistan

All songs written and music composed by Mekaal Hasan Band

Album Mixed, Mastered & Produced by Mekaal Hasan

Ya Ali

Sanwal performed live and acoustic at MTV studios Pakistan.


Translation:

Sanwal
The Beloved

O my beloved!
Please come to me
Listen! Can’t you hear the wailing of my soul?
I am forlorn, I am torn

My beloved is nowhere to be found
I have no way of going to him
O my beloved,
Please come to me

Can’t you hear me wailing?
Desolate am I

Hanging aimlessly. Neither here nor there
I have lost everything. I have lost it all

O my beloved!
Please come to me.


Written by Farhat Abbas Shah
(Contemporary Pakistani poet)

MTV Unplugged

Sanwal Live from MTV Unplugged

Sanwal (Unplugged)from MTV Unplugged

Huns Dhun is based on Raag Hamsadhwani, a south Indian classical pentatonic raga or scale. This is a live acoustic recording done for MTV.

Mtv Unplugged

Huns Dhun (Acoustic)

National Anthem of Pakistan as done by the Mekaal Hasan Band.

Dedicated to resilient people of Pakistan and the courage of people like Imran Khan who continue to fight for democracy despite the challenges they face. We wish him a speedy recovery and the very best in his campaign. These are crucial times for our country and we strongly urge everyone to go out and cast their votes on the 11th of May. Your country needs you in this hour of need. Don't let your vote go to waste.

Credits:
Musicians: Mohd Ahsan Papu: Flute 
Amir Azhar: Steel String Acoustic Guitar, Rhabab, Mandolin 
Babar Khanna: Dholak and Doru 
Zohaib Hassan: Sarangi 
Rakae Jamil: Sitar 
Mekaal Hasan: Nylon String Acoustic Guitar

National Anthem of Pakistan

National Anthem

Pantagruel is from Mekaal Hasan's solo album titled 'Square One' and is a pre Mekaal Hasan Band song.

Released  in 2003, Pantagruel was based on the giant by the same name, and how something that is so big can easily be hurt. The massiveness of someone/something, whether it is big physically or is big in terms of social stature or is large hearted does not mean that the person or being cannot be susceptible to pain which can be inflicted by small issues or things. This tune also deals with anger and how one's mind can lead you to the point of insanity if you let your negative side pull you down just a bit too much.

Square One

Pantagruel

Ranjha from Mekaal Hasan Band's second record "Saptak" Performed live for the Al Jazeera network.

Live

Ranjha

Ranjha (Live for Al-Jazeera Network)

Recording of the rehearsals for the Jashn-e-Khusrau festival where we were commissioned 10 kalams of Hazrat Amir Khusrau which we were to set to contemporary interpretations with a modern sound. Since Hazrat Amir Khusrau is considered the father of Qawali, this entire album is set to a Qawali style of vocal delivery while the music takes on a more rhythmic and groove based sound compared to our more classical sounding recordings.


Lyrics and translation:

Zeehaal-e miskeen makun taghaful,
duraye naina banaye batiyan;
ki taab-e hijran nadaram ay jaan,
na leho kaahe lagaye chhatiyan.

Shaban-e hijran daraz chun zulf
wa roz-e waslat cho umr kotah;
Sakhi piya ko jo main na dekhun
to kaise kaatun andheri ratiyan.

Yakayak az dil do chashm-e jadoo
basad farebam baburd taskin;
Kise pari hai jo jaa sunaave
piyare pi ko hamaari batiyan.

Cho shama sozan cho zarra hairan
hamesha giryan be ishq aan meh;
Na neend naina na ang chaina
Na aap aaven na bhejen patiyan.

Bahaqq-e roz-e wisal-e dilbar
ki daad mara ghareeb Khusrau;
Sapet man ke waraaye raakhun
jo jaaye paaon piya ke khatiyan.



Do not overlook my misery
Blandishing your eyes, and weaving tales;
My patience has over-brimmed, O sweetheart,
Why do you not take me to your bosom.

The nights of separation are long like tresses,
The day of our union is short like life;
When I do not get to see my beloved friend,
How am I to pass the dark nights?

Suddenly, as if the heart, by two enchanting eyes
Is beset by a thousand deceptions and robbed of tranquility;
But who cares enough to go and report
To my darling my state of affairs?

The lamp is aflame; every atom excited
I roam, always, afire with love;
Neither sleep to my eyes, nor peace for my body,
neither comes himself, nor sends any messages

In honour of the day of union with the beloved
who has lured me so long, O Khusrau;
I shall keep my heart suppressed,
if ever I get a chance to get to his place.

-Hazrat Ameer Khusrou

Kalam-E-Khusrao

Zehaal-E-Miskeen

Zehaal-E-Miskeen (Rehearsal)

'Fall From Grace' is from Mekaal Hasan's solo instrumental album titled 'Square One'. 

'Fall from Grace' is a song written about the loss of innocence and naivete and the yearning to regain the peace that goes with such a loss.

Fall From Grace

Mekaal Hasan Band, sometimes shortened to MHB, is a sufi rock band formed in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan in 1999 by composer-songwriter, guitarist Mekaal Hasan.
The band members have roots in different genres, including jazz, classical music, soul music, and sufi rock, the combination of each member has created a sound which has earned them fans from a variety of quarters. Hasan is the lead songwriter and has been noted for having a special style mixing classical music with metal techniques. The band is also famous for their epic live performances having won the most number of awards for Best Live Act.

Mekaal Hasan Band

Popular tracks