Saffar ("Journey")

This is another song by Kiran Ahluwalia and it represents what I spoke about in an earlier post regarding her musical tradition.  This is a classic ghazal in terms of content, referring to the interior journey each human being must inevitably make, sooner or later, and the frustrations and hardships that are incurred in the process.  Although the lyrics are rather traditional, the music is modern and that's what makes the song stand out for me.

With respect to the onus of "tradition," which can be very rigid in some cultural milieus, I heard an interviewer pose just that question to Kiran; whether she felt bound to the cultural constraints of the musical tradition in which she studied.  She replied that no, she felt bound to no tradition at all and the question didn't concern her.  I respect the freedom and independence of that stance.

To me, her answer is a pointer towards what I call "the new human beings."  These are people who are born in one tradition or culture, but move into another, and seem to easily master or bridge those multiple cultural influences, being bound by none.  I have often crossed paths with such individuals and I always find them inspiring.  Kiran Ahluwalia was born and partially raised in India, partly raised and completed her education in Canada, and currently lives and pursues her professional career in New York City.  She's a perfect and natural example of "the new human being:" -- at home anywhere in the world.  That's my working definition.  I find all this both fascinating and encouraging.  

A rough translation of the song's lyrics follows.  It presents the basic conundrum of the internal or mystic path: the way in which one becomes one's own worst enemy.  Surely we can all identify with that dynamic in our lives.  And it's a confrontation we all must face if we want to move into our authentic lives.

"I myself have wounded myself in the journey / I am myself an obstruction in my own path / My home is becoming more and more distant / I have been walking backwards / Perhaps my destination is inside of me / While I have been searching for it in the outside world."