Kal Taaran Guru Nanak Aaya - Bageshree

"Guru Nanak" in Raag Bageshri:




Happy Gurpurab folks!!! I have been singing Bhai Gurdas' Vaar Kal Taaran Guru Nanak Aaya in Bageshree since the mid-90s. This weekend I made a recording of this shabad mixing in a country ballad style. Following is a copy of yesterday's recording. Feel free to listen, download, and pass along to friends and family.

Feb 16, 2011 Update
Here is my interpretation of this Vaar:

How fortunate am I
The supreme giver
has infinite mercy upon me
and sent for me none other
than my dear Guru Nanak
to be my guide

My Guru travels far
and learns from the learned
He is the wisest I've know
still he meets everyone
with a peculiar humility
strange to our world
How fortunate am I

And he teaches me
the way to learn by example
He travels many million miles.
And when his feet are washed
Particles of his noble ways
make sweet ambrosial nectar
a drop of which I get to drink
How fortunate am I

With that luminious drop
all fog starts to disappear
Himself my dear Guru shows me
there is no difference betwee
one who knows everything
and the mysterious one
that no one can fully fathom
How fortunate am I

This world of ours has
those of different religions
those of disparate social strata
some rich live the lives of king
others, paupers, just survive
they have all, in one drop.,
through his blessed vision
become ONE for me
How fortunate am I

At times when
everything looks dark
he lights my path
with the torch of the
mantra of truth, Satnam!
My dear Guru Nanank
has removed my darkness
How fortunate am I
How fortunate am I



Nov 25 Update:
Based on a request in the comments area, following is the notation for one of the guitar parts -- the actual notation is tough to read and play -- but this is a simplified version that works as well. Every two bars is one line of the shabad as follows:


Kal taaran Guru Nanak aayaa - 4
Suni Pukaar Dataar Prabh - 2
Guru Nanak Jag Mahe Pathayaa - 2
Charan Dhoye Rehraas Kar - 2
Charanaamrit Sikhaan Pilayaa - 2
(Rest of the verses repeats similarly)


9 comments

  1. hey man this is really nice.. good work.. very soothing..
    do u have the tabs for it?? id lyk to try it if u dont mind..

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  2. Thanks for your comments. I am travelling to Boston today but will be back for the weekend and will try to post something more on the music so you can play. I would love to listen what you have.

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  3. Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

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  4. Another beautiful example of Bageshree -- Dhar Jiyare Ik Tek Too -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhvN6qClHG0.

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  5. "Jin Prem Kio Tin Hee Prabh Payo..." I just want to go on hearing your voice and the shabad again and again. Tell me how do I download it.


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  6. Thank you so much.Your voice is truly amazing and heart touching.

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  7. Can you pls give me the lines of Jin Prem Kio Tin Hee Prabh Payo..... I know its a poem by Shri Guru Gobindsinghji. Liked it very much. You have sung it so well.Feels divine.God bless you.

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  8. I found the lines of Jin Prem kio Tin Hee Prabh payo in one of your blogs.I have already learnt those lines and keep singing.Thank you so much.

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