“You’ve been walking for ages. Who will show you the way?” Kabir goes to the heart of our existential weariness - walking and walking, but never arriving. Running in a hundred different directions, and still not finding a resting-place. Even though speaking to himself - repeatedly saying ‘O Kabir’ - Kabir speaks also to us, and our unceasing yet unfulfilled quest for our true destination.
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Find lyrics/translation of this song at
ajabshahar.com/songs/details/5...
Discover a universe of Bhakti, Sufi, Baul poetry and music at www.ajabshahar.org.
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In 2011 we invited Mahesha Ram and his troupe to Bangalore for a 4-day ‘Learning with Kabir’ workshop designed as an immersive retreat for educators and artists. Mahesha ji would draw the participants into the spirit of satsang in the early mornings and late evenings. Rest of the day, some of us sat with him and recorded new and old songs from his very deep repertoire.
(Click on Settings for subtitles in English & Hindi. Click ‘B’ on keyboard to remove the black background in subtitles.)
Meditative and mesmeric - these are the qualities of Mahesha Ramji’s music. Unhurried and not in an eager rush to please the public, Mahesha Ramji slows you down, and compels you to step into his rhythm. He belongs to Chhatangadh village near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, and represents the folk style of the Meghval community, who are the traditional carriers of the poetry of many bhakti poets including Kabir, keeping it alive through a powerful oral tradition. Contact Mahesha Ram at +91 99298-76095
This is one of a series of uploads for Ajab Shahar, a webspace dedicated to mystic poem and song, created by the Kabir Project team (www.ajabshahar.org ; www.kabirproject.org).
Song Credits:
Vocals & Tambura: Mahesha Ram
Second Vocals and Manjiras: Prabhu Ram
Dholak: Anwar Khan
Manjiras: Amolak Ram
Translation: Vipul Rikhi
Video Credits:
Camera: Rebana John
Sound Recording & Facilitation: Gopal Singh Chouhan & Namrata Kartik
Editing: Radha Mahendru
Sub-Titling: Shruti Kulkarni and Vipul Rikhi
Collection: The Kabir Project
Place of Recording: School for Ancient Wisdom, Bangalore, India
Date of Recording: 18-21st, May, 2011