Roots
Roots is defined as many things, according to the dictionary. This gives a whole list of things that it means. However, after careful reading, we can conclude that it has essentially the same meaning, no matter what. The context is the only thing that changes.
Root is the base or foundation or the origin of something. That something can be a tree or plant or a human or another living organism or a mathematical term or reference or even a computational concept.
My reference is, however, related to the foundation of my origins. I am an Indian by origin, from the country of India, one of the largest and most diverse countries in the continent of Asia.
I believe that the land of India is a whole different level of diverse. Rightfully, Wikipedia describes it as a mega-diverse country. It is a country which has 1.39 billion people, 28 states and 8 union territories; around 500 different languages and dialects, it’s the 5th largest country by economy(market exchange rates to be very precise). Although Hindi is the official National language of the country, English is used almost everywhere for official and business purposes. “Hinglish” is a common term used by Indians to represent how the language is never a barrier to communication.
I feel proud to have been born in this diverse land, which provides with ample opportunities to every single person in every walk of life. It has its own pros and cons but every country and economy has those.
My roots belong to the state of Maharashtra, a state on the western coast of India. I lived in Mumbai till my early 20s. Those 20+ odd years gave me much capability and a variety of skills, which I realize today, are of much importance.
The most important skill was imbibed onto me, at a very early age. Music. Music in India is, similar to the country’s culture, diverse. However, Indian Classical Music is a different ballgame altogether. The versatility it gives the learner, the students, the practising individual is unimaginable. Today, I know how important it is to me; after years of having really dismissed or ignored it.
A few days ago, I was traveling with family. My mom played a song, which I had heard many years ago. Listening to it brought tears to my eyes, instantly. I felt surrounded by love and unexpected warmth. That was the power of music. The very same that I had been running away from.
On another similar instance, a song which is pretty popular in India, really loved by the masses for the beauty in its words and melody, played on the car speakers. I was mesmerized and stumped. The song possibly was nudging me to listen and really ask the same questions, I have been asking myself, in very different ways.
I am going to post that song- a link to the song on youtube, the lyrics, its translation(in italics) for every line.
Mitwa (My Love)
Link to the song- https://youtu.be/ru_5PA8cwkE
( Love Will Find A Way..)
Jaaniye.. Heeriye..
Love of my life
( Love Will Find A Way..)
Jaaniye Heeriye.
My life, my love
Mere Mann Yeh Baata De Tu
My dear heart, can you please tell me
Kis Aur Chala Hai Tu
Which direction you’re headed in
Kya Paaya Nahin Tune
What is it that you havent achieved
Kya Dhoond Raha Hai Tu.
What is it that you are looking for?
Jo Hai Ankahi
That which is unsaid
Jo Hai Ansuni
That which is unheard of
Woh Baat Kya Hai Baata
Tell me, What is that thing?
Mitwa… Kahe Dhadkane Tujhse Kya
My LOVE, what do your heart beats tell you?
Mitwa… Yeh Khudse Toh Na Tu Chhupa.
My LOVE, Please dont hide it from yourself.
(Love Will.. Find A Way..)
(Jaaniye.. Heeriye..)
Love of my life
O.. Mere Mann Yeh Bata De Tu
My dear heart, please tell me
Kis Or Chala Hai Tu
Which direction you are headed in
Kya Paaya Nahin Tune
What is it that you havent achieved
Kya Dhoond Raha Hai Tu.
What is it that you’re looking for
Jo Hai Ankahi,
That which is unsaid
Jo Hai Ansuni
That which is unheard of
Woh Baat Kya Hai Bata
Please tell me, What is that thing?
Mitwa… Kahe Dhadkane Tujhse Kya
My LOVE, what do your heartbeats tell you?
Mitwa… Yeh Khudse Toh Na Tu Chhupa.
My LOVE, please do not hide it from yourself.
Ga Ma Pa Ni Ri Ni Sa..
Ga Ma Pa Da Sa Da Ni..
Ni Da.. Ga Ma.. Pa Da Pa..
Ga Ma Pa Ri Ni Nisa Nisa Nisa Nisa
Ga Ma Pa Da Sa Da Ni..
Ni Da.. Ni Da Ni Da Ni Da
Ma Pa Da Pa Da Pa Da
Sa Ri Ni Sa Ni Da Pa..
Mitwa..
My LOVE
Jeevan Dagar Mein..
On the paths
(Dagar Mein.. Dagar Mein)
Prem Nagar Mein..
And the lanes of love
(Nagar Mein.. Nagar Mein)
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Jeevan Dagar Mein
On the paths
Prem Nagar Mein
And the lanes of love
Aaya Nazar Mein Jab Se Koi Hai
Ever since someone has come into my sight
Tu Sochta Hai,
You think about it
Tu Puchata..
And you ask about it
Hai Jiski Kami Thi
Is this The One who was missing
Kya Yeh Wohi Hai.
(In your life)
Haan Yeh Wohi Hai..
Yes, that is him/her
Haan Yeh Wohi Hai
Yes that is him/her
Tu Ek Pyasa Aur Yeh Nadi Hai
You are the thirst and he/she is the river
Kaahe Nahin, Is Ko Tu, Khulke Bataye
Why dont you tell him/her openly about it?
Jo Hai Ankahi,
Whatever it is unsaid
Jo Hai Ansuni
That which is unheard of
Woh Baat Kya Hai Baata
What is that thing, tell me?
Mitwa… Kahe Dhadkane Tujhse Kya
My LOVE, what do these heartbeats tell you?
Mitwa.. Yeh Khudse Toh Na Tu Chhupa.
My LOVE, donot hide it from yourself.
O.. Teri Nigaahen, Pa Gayi Rahe
Your eyes have finally found the paths
Par Tu Yeh Soche Jaaun Na Jaaun
But you are wondering, if you should go or not…
Yeh Zindagi Jo, Hai Naachti Toh
As this life continues to dance and frolic
Kyon Bediyon Mein Hai Tere Paanv.
Why do you feel like your feet are shackled and bound up?
Preet Ki Dhun Par Naach Le Paagal
My Silly love, dance on this rhythm of love
Udta Agar Hai Udne De Aanchal.
And if the wind blows the scarf away, let it
Kaahe Koi Apne Ko Aise Tarsaaye
Why would someone, thus, make themselves yearn and pine
Jo Hai Ankahi,
All that is unsaid
Jo Hai Ansuni
All that is unheard
Woh Baat Kya Hai Baata.
What is it all, tell me.
Mitwa… Kahe Dhadkane Tujhse Kya
My LOVE, what do your heartbeats tell you?
Mitwa… Yeh Khudse Toh Na Tu Chhupa.
My LOVE, at least don’t hide it from yourself.
Will I ever be who I really
Am meant to be?
I believe I will. Now.
Go back to my Roots.
In my heart and soul
For they are where I begin from
My physical form.
An apt few lines by Rumi to close my thoughts on this
Let your throat-song
be clear and strong enough
to make the emporer fall full-length,
suppliant, at the door.
-Rumi
References:
1] Definition of root, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root
2] India on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India
3] Mitwa Lyrics, https://lyricalwoods.com/1976-mitwa-song-lyrics/
Disclaimer: Most of the informaation I have posted above is general knowledge or available freely on the internet and I donot own it.
The only exception is — knowledge about my own self.
