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.

Jal Pari (Mermaid) by Atif Aslam

Jal Pari by Atif Aslam is a great song; it sounds like a catchy pop song about mermaids as sirens of the sea, or a love song, and is essentially a spiritual song. But even if you were cynical, unromantic, and an atheist; you still might enjoy it as a story about the obsessive nature of love or superstition. Near the end, the song segues into a rendition of Tu Mera Dil Tu Meri Jaan previously recorded by Nasrat Fateh Ali Khan (thanks to Ricky Singh for pointing that out and translating it). From Coke Studio (Season 2, Episode 1, broadcast June 14, 2009). 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.

Chhalla by Rabbi Shergill

Chhalla is about circles, like rings or wells, and their potential. Great version of an old Punjabi folk song. Different but similar to versions by Gurdas Maan and others. In Punjabi with English translation.

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Jhok Ranjhan by Mekaal Hasan Band

Mekaal Hasan Band brilliantly combines elements of Rock, Jazz, and Classical South-Asian music. Jhok Ranjhan is based on a 16th-Century Sufi poem by Shah Hussain. Includes Mekaal Hasan (guitar), Javed Bashir (vocals), Ahsan Papu (bansuri flute), and Gumby (drums). Directed by Zeeshan Parwez. In Punjabi with English translation.

Available from Amazon.com:  MP3 Album (Saptak)
Available from CD Baby:  Album (Saptak)

Akheer (the end) by Juggy D

Juggy D is known for high-energy Pop-Bhangra dance music. Akheer is a beautiful and more traditional song I've enjoyed for years. I finally found a translation and discoved it's a Sikh religious song. Meditation on God's name (learning to understand God's identity as well as you can) is an important concept of Sikhism that's mentioned in the song. Filmed in Westminster, London. In Punjabi with English translation.

Available from Amazon.com:  MP3 Album