[sadhana]

NAAM ADAA LIKHNA

Pooche jo koyi meri nishaani
If anyone asks my identity
Rang hi naam likhna
Tell them my name is color
Gore badan pe ungli se mera
On my fair body, with your finger
Naam Adaa likhna
Write my name as grace (her name is also Adaa)
Kabhi kabhi aas paas chand rehta hai
Sometimes the moon is in the vicinity
Kabhi kabhi aas paas shaam rehti hai
Sometimes the evening is near
Aao na, aao na jahannum mein beh lenge
Come, let’s float in hell
Vaade ke mausam bhi ek din toh badlenge
Even the seasons of promise will change one day
Kabhi kabhi aas paas chand rehta hai
Sometimes the moon is in the vicinity
Kabhi kabhi aas paas shaam rehti hai
Sometimes the evening is near

Aaoon toh subah jaaon toh mera naam Sabaa likhna
When I come call me morning and when I leave call me a breeze
Baraf pade toh baraf pe mere naam dua likhna
When it snows write my name as a prayer on it
Zara zara aag-vaag paas rehti hai
Sometimes there’s a fire nearby
Zara zara kaangdi ki aanch rehti hai
Sometimes the kaangdi keeps you warm (it’s a chafing dish which Kashmiris hang around their necks in winter)
Kabhi kabhi aas paas chand rehta hai
Sometimes the moon is in the vicinity
Kabhi kabhi aas paas shaam rehti hai
Sometimes the evening is near

……bujhaane aati hain raatein
the night comes to extinguish….
Raatein bujhaane tum aa gaye ho
You have come to extinguish the night

Jab tum haste ho din ho jaata hai
When you laugh the day dawns
Tum gale lago toh din so jata hai
When you hug me the day sleeps
Doli uthaaye aayega din toh paas bitha lena
When the day comes like a new bride, sit by my side
Kal jo mile toh maathe pe mere suraj ugaa dena
When you meet me tomorrow plant the sun on my forehead
Zara zara aas paas dhoop rahegi
sometimes there’ll be heat nearby
Zara zara aas paas rang rahenge
sometimes there’ll be color

Pooche jo koyi meri nishaani
Rang hi naam likhna
Gore badan pe ungli se mera
Naam adaa likhna
Kabhi kabhi aas paas chand rehta hai
Kabhi kabhi aas paas shaam rehti hai

—tu hai kahan kahan hai—