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.

Husn-e-Haqiqi by Arieb Azhar

Husn-e-Haqiqi by Arieb Azhar is based on a 19th-Century Sufi poem by Khwaja Ghulam Farid. From Coke Studio (Season Two, Episode 5, broadcast August 14, 2009). In Urdu 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.

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)

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