’Mera Piya Ghar Aaya’ by Farid Ayaz & Abu Mohammed

At the manifest level of ishq-e-majaazi (worldly love), this song describes the rapturous moments of (re)union with a longed-for beloved. In this night of ecstasy, the party pooper is the watchman, striking his gong every hour, dourly marking time, cutting short the moments of bliss. One wonders though about the hidden import, the baatin, which echoes at the level of ishq-e-haqeeqi (spiritual love). Who is the beloved who has come home, and who is the watchman, marking time? This iconic poem by Bulleshah w