Many of us adore the Qawali, ‘Aaj rang hai eyey ma rang hai ri’, penned by the great Sufi Scholar and poet, Hazrat Amir Khusro. The composition, sung with right devotion and passion is capable of taking mortals to an exalted realm. The Hindi word Rang, has many different interpretations.
It may mean Color, Character, Stage, descriptive Context and so on. It’s an immensely versatile word having significance in everyday language with cultural connotations as well. Today though, we shall spare ourselves axiological scholarship rather look at more mundane and common place use of the word. In other words, explore certain persona, who either adopted or were ascribed with this word.
Our quest will take us to a period when Mughal Dynasty in Delhi was on its decline. A person who egged this downfall was the 13th Mughal emperor. Mirza Nasir-ud-Din Muḥammad Shah (7 August 1702 – 26 April 1748) reining from 1719 to 1748. Muhammad Shah, was a great patron of the arts, including musical, cultural and administrative developments. His fondness for drinking and dancing, earned him the name: Muhammad Shah Rangila, meaning ‘Muhammad Shah –‘the colourful’. He may have been criticized by many but he had significant achievements as well. During his reign, Urdu gained popularity and was declared as the court language, replacing Persian. Qawwali was reintroduced into the Mughal imperial court and it spread throughout South Asia. He was a poet who wrote using the penname – “Sadrang”, was a composer of Indian classical songs in bhairav, kafi, dhamar and malkauns. Including songs on the themes of love and the festival of Holi. A noteworthy scientific work, Zij-i Muhammad Shahi, consisted of 400 pages, was completed by Jai Singh II of Amber during his reign.
During the rule of Muhammad Shah Rangila, another two names almost rodomontading Rang, came into prominence during Mughal Era. Most students of Classical Hindustani Music, even today, are taught a bandish – ‘Jaa jaa re apne mandirwa’. It was composed by no other than a person and his nephew whose names has a connect with the word – Rang. Composer and artist Naimat Khan, who was active in the court of Mohammed Shah, along with his nephew Feroz Khan changed the Khayal style of singing. What is performed today is by and large due to their contribution. While Naimat Khan adopted the pen name Sadarang, Feroz Khan used Adarang. Their number ‘Jaa jaa re mandirwa’, composed in Raag Bhimpalasi, is a hit even today. Several Hindustani Classical Musicians have sung it. Pandit Jasraj, in his inimitable, sonorous voice and Vidushi Kaushiki Chakraborty, in her blend of traditional and innovative style, have put their stamp on it. A treat to the ears it is considered a masterpiece.
The lyrics initially may appear flippant but they conjure up a realistic story which many newly married couples can relate to. The flirtatious theme of the newly-wed bride who wants to be with her husband but is shy and self-conscious in a joint-family setting, surrounded by the prying eyes of her in-laws. She begs her husband to stop following her around, as she’s afraid her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law could be listening/watching. There is a longing and vulnerability all at the same time
It goes somewhat like this –
‘Ja ja re apne mandirwa (Go back to your home) ‘Sun pavegi saas nanadiya’ (Mother in law and sister in law will hear you) ‘Sun ho Sadarang tumko chahat hai’ (While I do love you) ‘Kya tum humko challan kiya’ (How could you trick me)
The composition has endeared itself with generations of Indians and others alike. Apart from the chosen raga for the number, the lyrics themselves are fascinating. The words are commonplace, quite easy to understand yet have the force of reaching the core of a listener’s soul. Notice how the composer has used the pen name Sadarang in the composition. Loosely translated, the word Sada-Rang may mean – in all circumstances, all the while.
Adarang, it is said, may have several contextual meanings including half a person. Could he be meaning that he was incomplete without Sadarang? Mayb! Hindustani Classical music is quite multifarious. Its depth is not easy to fathom. Technical wizardry of Ragas along with stirring poetry are inseparable just as the duo Sadarang and Adarang were.
Indian musical history and journey is strewn with many notable artists and masters whose contributions have left indelible prints on its vast horizons. These giants who once strode on the musical panorama of India would never get eclipsed. They wowed people then they wow people now. And as Parveen Shakir had said:
Ek suraj tha ki taroh ke gharane se utha
Aankh hairan hai kya shakhs zamane se utha ….By Sidhartha Mukherjee
