Na Raindee Hai by Arieb Azhar

Season 3 of Coke Studio began with a wonderful spoken word performance of Na Raindee Hai by Arieb Azhar, based on one of Bulleh Shah's timeless poems. A clever choice for the opening song, declaring "what's about to be spoken must be said." Broadcast June 6, 2010. In Punjabi with English translation.

Free downloads are available on the Coke Studio website.

Bulleya by Riaz Ali Khan

Bulleya is based on an 18th-Century poem by Bulleh Shah, where he addresses himself; contemplating our origin, identity, and relationship to the universe. The poem itself is a bit longer and now one of Bulleh Shah's best known, having been recorded by a variety of musicians including Junoon and Rabbi Shergill (whose versions are found on Youtube). This version has a smooth contemplative feel. From Coke Studio (Season 2, Episode 4, broadcast July 26, 2009). In Punjabi with English translation.

Free downloads are available on the Coke Studio website.

Dastan-e-Ishq by Ali Zafar

Also known as Dastaan (story), and written by Ali Zafar (singing) and Baqir Abbas (on flute). This song includes several lines by famous Sufi poets from Punjab, and references to the romantic legend of Heer Ranjha. Another great song from Coke Studio (Season 2, Episode 2, broadcast June 28, 2009). Thanks to Faiz and others who helped with the translation. In Punjabi with English translation.

Free downloads are available on the Coke Studio website.

Aik Alif by Saieen Zahoor and Noori

Based on an 18th-Century poem by Bulleh Shah, where he questions religious hypocrisy and himself, and realizes that what he's struggled to find is actually simple. A beautiful song from Coke Studio (Season 2, Episode 1, broadcast June 14, 2009). Noori includes brothers Ali Noor and Ali Hamza, who are reunited here with drummer Gumby. This was a joy to translate and there were many people interested in the meaning who helped out. In Punjabi with English translation.

This translation was mentioned in an article in The News International newspaper in Karachi.

Free downloads are available on the Coke Studio website.

Chaiyya Chaiyya by A.R. Rahman

Best film song ever. From the Indian movie Dil Se, amazingly filmed with the actors dancing on top of a moving train as it passes over bridges, through moutain passes, and the Indian countryside. The song is popular worldwide, inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber to write Bombay Dreams, and was used by Spike Lee in his film Inside Man. I searched for the lyrics for years; eventually I discovered they're inspired by 18th-Century Sufi poet Bulleh Shah, but written by Gulzar, and found this Youtube version with captions. Staring Shahrukh Khan and Malaika Arora, who's parts are sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Aswathi. In Urdu with English translation.

Available from Amazon.com:  MP3 Album Film