Kabir in this beautiful song sung in the Malwa region of west-central India expresses his desire to become one with his love (the one he seeks) in every manifestation of life. 

Aisi mhari preet nibhave jo...
O mere dhan ka ho ram, aisi mhari preet nibhave jo...
O durbal ka ho ram, bhavsagar me bhoolo mati
	
Han... tam to jharkhat, ham beladi...
Rana tam se liptaye, tam to jharkhat ham beladi
Rana tam se liptaye, tam to dhal dhole ham sukhi jama
Mhara kahin ho haval, bhav to dhal dhole, ham sukhi jama
Mhara kahin ho haval, aisi mhari preet nibhave jo
O nirbal ka ho ram, bhavsagar me bhoolo mati...

Han... tam to badal, ham moriya ...                                                  
Rana tam rabanu maal, tam to badal ham moriya
Rana tam rabanu maal, tam to gar jome ham boliya
Mhara kahin ho haval, aisi mhari preet nibhave jo
O nirbal ka ho ram, bhavsagar me bhoolo mati...

Han... kahe ho kabir dharami, das se...
Sun lo chit man lave, kahe ho kabir dharam das se
Sun lo chit man lave , kaave bajave sun saambal
Hansa sat log chaave, kaave bajave sun saambal
Hansa sat log chaave, aisi mhari preet nibhave jo
O nirbal ka ho ram, bhavsagar me bhoolo mati...


Kabir Ki Potlee

Aisi Mhari Preet Nibhavjo (Kabir)

The Manganiars, a hereditary musician community from the western districts of Rajasthan belong to the Islamic religion but have for centuries been singing for Hindu Jajmaans (patrons). Their way of life gives them a chance to explore and understand God through both Islam as well as Hinduism. Their complete acceptance of ritualistic practices of both religions as mere ways to reach enlightenment exemplifies today's idea of Secularism. 

In this recording, Lakha Khan Manganiar, one of the senior most in the community today explains religious oneness through his scintillating music. He proclaims "There is one God after all, the one who is our creator and protector, what name you wish to call him by is upto you... he remains one." He also explains his relationship with his Hindu Jajmaan saying "Allah gave me this life, my Jajmaan gave me sustenance so his Gods, be it Ram, Krisna or Ganesh, all become my Gods too." 

Lakha ji begins by singing a beautiful Krishna bhajan. 'Krishn Bina' a Janam song (sung during the birth of a child) that explains the beauty of baby Krishna as being integral to the existence of this universe. This is followed by a short anecdote through which he explains the coexistence of two religions in his life. He then completes the conversation with a lilting Sufi Lori (also sung during birth). 'Lori Dedi Dai Halimah' is a lullaby in the Urdu language said to have been sung by Halimah who was prophet Muhammad's foster mother herself. 

*To know more about Lakha Khan Manganiar: http://khamayati.org/lakha-khan-manganiar/

*All these songs and fables are passed on from generation to generation within this mystic community through oral tradition. With globalisation and the fall in patronage, this community is facing rapid deterioration in repertoire. If you are interested in helping Ek Potlee Ret Ki document these songs, please contact us on ekpotleeretki@gmail.com or on our FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/ekpotleeretki/

Lakha Khan Manganiyar Sings Secularism 

God is One - Lakha Khan Manganiar sings Secularism

Indian mythology speaks of Prajapati the 'Lord of the People' as the Universal Creator. 

In several states of India, Kumhar a community of potters, for centuries have honorifically carried the title 'Prajapati' for they are creators. Their connection to land (mud... clay...) and their ebility to creates from it is considered sacred. Apart from possessing extraordinary skills and craftsmanship in making earthenware, sculptures and other artifacts, Prajapatis have also been traditional musicians. They travel far and wide, guided by rivers they consider their mothers, singing songs of life and faith. 

Nansahib Prajapati is one such wanderer cradled by the mighty Narmada. He hails from Jaithari, a beautiful wooded land boardering the states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. He plays his Teen Thariya Tambura, a three stringed instrument made with dried pumpkin (as the tumba or resonator) and bamboo (the daand or fingerboard) finished off with a bunch of peacock feathers tied to its headstock and travels his lands singing, Pandavani (Stories about the Pandavas of Mahabharat), Ram Katha (Stories from the Ramayan), Shivleela (Stories of Lord Shiva) and several other local folklore in the Chhattisgarhi language.  

Visit https://www.facebook.com/ekpotleeretki/
to know more about  Nansahib Prajapati

Potlee in Amarkantak 

Teen Thariya Tambura

Aaj Meri Meet Mili is a beautiful kumaoni song sung around the Dharchula area in upper Kumaon region bordering Nepal. It is a song in description of a young native girl; her beauty, skills and prowess in traversing the tough mountainous terrains. The song is traditionally sung during celebrations and festivals accompanied by dhol or dholak. 

Rendered by karyakartas of the Himalayan Gram Vikas Samiti, Gangolihat. 
Recorded by Ek Potlee Ret Ki - April 2017

Hith Myaar Dagadi Pahaad: Ek Potlee Ret Ki's Himalayan journey

Aaj Meri Meet Mili

Song recorded by Shweta Rao for Khamayati.org archives.

A beautiful Sindhi folk song 'Chirmi' played by Fakir Dodha Khan Langa to demonstrate to a suspecious army officer at the India-Pakistan border that he in fact was a musician who had crossed the border to master the magical instrument of Algoza. To read more about Fakir Dodha Khan Langa's musical journyes: ekpotleeretki.wordpress.com/2017/07/24/…the-border/

Beyond Borders

Chirmi

This song invites you to bathe in the Narmada River, or rather Rewa Maiya as she is also known here. 
The song talks about a temple made by the river, and invites you to pray in the temple. The song then asks Rewa Maiya to give sight to the blind, and the ability to walk to the limp. 

The women shared that the river is not partial, and she answers everyone's prayers whether that person is good or bad.

At the end of the song they all joined their hands and bowed their heads to Rewa Maiya.

for 
Cultures Submerged - an expedition across the Narmada
by
Kasturi Adhikary, Shatakshi Gawade, Vinaya Kurtkoti

Rewa Maiya Me Jaake Nahalaiyo Re (Cultures Submerged - Week 11)

This song that the women are singing is called a Dadariya. This particular song is sung when they work in the field to remove the weed among their crops. We didn't understanf what this song means, but it made the women laugh a lot.

Munni Bai Kokadia, Parvati Bai Kokadia, and other women from the Sangwa village, Mandla district.

for 
Cultures Submerged - an expedition across the Narmada
by
Kasturi Adhikary, Shatakshi Gawade, Vinaya Kurtkoti

Dadariya (Cultures Submerged - Week 11)

In a world obsessed with identities, Kabir the Nirghuni, transcends the singularity of his own identity in this beautiful song sung across east-central India.

Avadhuta Yugan Yugan Hum Yogi
Avayna Jay Mitaina Kabahun, Sabad Anahat Bhogi

Subhi Thor Jamat Humri, Sub Hi Thor Pur Mela
Hum Sub May, Sub Hai Hum May, Hum Hai Bahuri Akela

Hum Hi Sidh, Samadhi Hum Hi, Hum Mauni Hum Bole
Rup Swarup Arup Dikhake, Hum Hi Mein Hum Toh Khelen

Kahe Kabira Jo, Suno Bhai Sadho, Nahi Na Koi Icha
Apni Madhi Mein Aap Mein Dolu, Kheloon Sahaj Swa-Icha

In Pursuit of the Swan 

Yugana Yugana Hum Yogi - Kabir

An activist collective working to gain a larger understanding of cultural identity and the need to expand political action to preserve these identities. 

Ek Potlee Ret Ki

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