Khasam Ki Bani - #GuruNanak550

Khasam Ki Bani,  a phrase used by Guru Nanak to describe his own poetry, means "Words of my Love". The project started off as a musical celebration of  Guru Nanak's 550th birth anniversary  and now continues because I did not have the heart to stop. [from - Feb/Mar 2016] "Jaisi Main Avai Khasam Ki Bani" is one of the four poems included in what is called "Babarvani" describing the four invasions by Mughal Emperor Babar (1483-1530).  While three of these poems are in Raag Asa (the color of Hope), this poem is in Raag Tilang (the color of Mideast). Read More:  Complete Babarvani Babar and Guru Nanak in 1520-1521 Before I share the translation, some brief history for you based on what I have gathered from several sources including  Babar's Autobiography  in the past few days. The year was 1520.  The season was winter.  Babar made his third invasion into India and easily subdued several cities including Sialkot.  He...

Next year in November, it will be the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the illumined soul of my music and life. I am hearing of plans of celebrations all over the world ... But why wait until next year? Why not have a year long musical celebration??? I am diving right in, right now!!!   This week, I start with a beautiful poem by Bhai Gurdas, "Kal Taaran Gur Nanak Aaya" in Raag Bageshri. I have been singing this since the 1990s, and I had recorded this first in 2009. I re-recorded this in the past few days. There will be a lot more in the coming weeks ... Thanks to Simer Chabbra for the Happy Gurpurab cover art. Lyrics and Translation - ਸੁਣੀ ਪੁਕਾਰਿ ਦਾਤਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਗੁਰੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਜਗ ਮਾਹਿ ਪਠਾਇਆ Sunee Pukaari Daatar Prabhu Guru Naanak Jag Maahi Pathhaaiaa The benefactor Lord listened to the cries (of humanity) and sent Guru Nanak to this world. ਚਰਨ ਧੋਇ ਰਹਰਾਸਿ ਕਰਿ ਚਰਣਾਮ੍ਰਿਤੁ ਸਿਖਾਂ ਪੀਲਾਇਆ  Charan Dhoi Raharaasi Kari Charanamritu Sikhaan Peelaaiaa  He washed H...