Chaiyya Chaiyya

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched but must be felt with the heart." -  Hellen Keller

In the vast symphony of human emotions, “I Love You” stands out as the most beautiful melody. These three words might seem small, but they carry the weight of the universe – warmth, joy, and a feeling of being whole. 

Love is a magical force that goes beyond the boundaries of language, culture and even time. Within the realm of love, there exists the true value of understanding and strong connections. 

The love can heal emotional wounds, providing solace, comfort, and a reassuring sense of security. Love is like a captivating piece of music that resonates universally and touches hearts universally; even if one is not able to understand the language of the lyrics.

True love always stands the test of time. 

But what exactly is this love? 

It can be defined in many ways. It is like a kaleidoscope, which shimmers with a thousand different colours 

Love means…

Not just complete trust in the other, but blind trust,

Not expecting anything in return,

Knowing that someone would be there even if you have not been in touch for long,

The ability to celebrate every moment of life,

Seeing everything and everyone as flawless

And so on.

Love is a blissful emotion that possesses the transformative power to change individuals. It is like a divine grace bestowed upon those who are immersed in love.

The path of love is described as a journey towards oneness with God, a feeling of walking under a protective shade. 

Imagine walking under a canopy of divine protection, finding your way by the light of love. It leads us to a feeling of inner peace, which is almost like a paradise within. 

Love is like a compass, which guides you towards that ultimate bliss – peace with yourself.

“Love is the master key that opens the gates of eternity.” – Khalil Gibran

Jinke sar ho ishq ki chaanv

Paon ke neeche Jannat hogi

The Fact

“The only journey is the journey within.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

The song "Chaiyya Chaiyya" by Gulzar is a love song that delves profoundly into the heart, reflects on the soul, and speaks softly of our never-ending quest for the divine. 

Its lyrics can also be interpreted in a devotional context especially when viewed through the lens of a seeker’s journey toward a spiritual connection. 

The verses in question bring together the earthly and divine elements, as well as the material and spiritual aspects, to explore the themes of love and transcendence harmoniously. As such, they offer a profound and spiritual experience to those who read them.

Love is more than just a fleeting feeling of butterflies in one's stomach. It's the beautiful coming together of two souls that were meant to be together, and who have a deep understanding of each other. They're like two stars twinkling in the vast expanse of the universe, connected by an invisible thread.

"Chaiyya Chaiyya" is a song that speaks about love, which means oneness. It's about realizing the divine spark within each other and experiencing a sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves, beyond the physical aspect.

This song is a beautiful masterpiece that goes beyond surface-level emotions and explores the profound themes of spirituality, timeless quests for the divine, and true love that transcends superficiality.

When love touches our souls and aligns with us on a spiritual level, we experience divine, spiritual love. 

This understanding leads to a sense of peace, joy, and happiness, which stems from the realization that we are all interconnected with something greater than ourselves. 

Gulzar states the fact here: once we are enveloped in the love of the divine, paradise awaits. 

'Chaiyya Chaiyya' is not just a song but also a guide and a companion to the journey in search of the divine. As the song progresses, I will reflect on how it relates to my journey.

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Chal chaiyya chaiyya chaiyya chaiyya

Sar ishq ki chaaon chal chaiyya chaiyya

Paanv janat chale chal chaiya chaiya

 The Message

“Love is the master key that opens the gates of eternity.” – Khalil Gibran

Through enchanting words, Gulzar creates a picture that is not just beautiful but deeply relatable.

Imagine love as a sprawling tree, its branches extending like open arms, offering a protective shade beneath which lies a heavenly realm. 

The message here is quite clear – When we are enveloped in the divine’s protective embrace, we are in a state of love, and paradise walks hand in hand with us.

Being under the loving shadow of God can transform our lives into a paradise of pleasure and contentment. 

Life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, and having love on our side becomes a source of support and strength during challenging times. With love, every moment becomes a wellspring of joy, and each step turns into a gateway leading to paradise.

This paradise isn’t a far-off place; it is a metaphorical realm. It's a paradise of the mind and heart, nurtured by gratitude, purpose, and a deep connection with something bigger than ourselves. 

According to many beliefs, "something bigger" resides within us, a divine spark that connects us to all living beings. When we realize this connection, when we fall in love with that divine essence within us and within others, then we truly enter paradise.

Love, in its true essence, transforms our perception of the world around us.

And this happens, because God resides within us, and to find calm within ourselves, we must delve deeper. When we fall in love with this inner divinity, our love expands to every human being. We start seeing others as a reflection of God, and in this state of profound connection, we are living in a paradise of love.

“Paradise is not a place, it’s a feeling.” – L. Boyer

Woh yaar hai jo khusbhu ki tarah

Jiski zubaan urdu ki tarah

Meri shamo-raat meri kaynaat

Woh yaar mera saiyyan saiyyan

The Description

“Love is the poetry of senses.” – Honore De Balzac

Something is fascinating about a fragrance. Though invisible, it reaches every corner while dancing in the air.

Love is like that fragrance that defies the tangible. It is something which cannot be seen, or held yet its presence can be felt. In its most pure form, love is an emotion that rises from the core of the heart and penetrates everything around it like delicate scent molecules. It is intangible, unseen, and yet, its influence is undeniable.

Love and fragrance, both permeate the air. 

Like a precious fragrance leaves a lingering trace on our skin; through the memory of touch, smile, and laughter, love too leaves an indelible mark on our souls. It becomes a part of the canvas of our lives, painting it with hues of affection and warmth.

The language Urdu beautifully mirrors the essence of beloved.

Just as Urdu, with its melodious verses and intricate wordplay, speaks to the heart even if you don't understand every word, the language of love transcends barriers.

Urdu, also referred to as the language of love, has a lyrical quality that can enchant and mesmerize. Similarly, every word from Beloved sounds like a melodious tune which resonates in the ears, creating a poetic symphony. 

When you experience true love, it has the power to completely consume you. Your entire universe revolves around your beloved. Their thoughts permeate your dreams, their scent lingers in the air, and their voice echoes in the silence. Even as you walk in the physical world, your heart dances in a universe spun from the threads of your love.

Love at its pinnacle, involves complete surrender, covering the senses and enveloping the soul in a cocoon of emotions. It goes beyond the physical world, creating a connection that transcends the material realm.

Here, Gulzar uses the fragrance and Urdu as metaphors to describe the all-encompassing, invisible and deeply personal nature of the beloved.

“Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.” -  Helen Keller

Gulposh kabhi itraye kahin,

Mehke to nazar aa jaye kahin

Taabeez banaa ke pahnoo

Use aayat ki tarah mil jaaye kahin

Mera nagma wahi mera kalma wahi

The search

 "The flower doesn't dream of the bee. The flower blooms and the bee comes." — Arty Fischel

Having described the beloved as a fragrance Gulzar now takes us on a journey into the search for the one who holds the key to the heart.

A blooming flower cannot be hidden for long, the fragrance it emits will give you the address of its location. 

If beloved were a flower, it would be identifiable by the fragrance it emits. But, the beloved is not a physical entity like a flower.

Yet one can sense the intoxicating fragrance of the beloved’s love, creating an ethereal connection that transcends the physical realm but is not able to find him.

This love is a constant yearning. It’s a scent in the air, a warmth on skin yet the source remains a mystery.

The beloved is a source of happiness and positivity for me, much like a lucky charm. If only I could locate him, I would like to hold him in my arms like a precious amulet. It is a challenge and uncertainty to live this love.

It is a challenge and uncertainty to live this love.

Love is in every beat of my heart, every breath I take. Every wish that rises from my heart, and every song I sing carries the names of my beloved. But even with this love as my map, the path remains shrouded in the mist.

Yet, despite the all-encompassing nature of this love, the search persists. 

This is the beauty of this divine quest. The beloved might only exist as a whisper, a shadow, a fragrance or an unfulfilled desire, the yearning never ends.

“And yet, for all my longing and searching, I know not who I seek, nor where to find him.” – Virginia Woolf

Yaar misaale os chale

Panv ke tale firdaus chale

Kabhi daal daal kabhi paat paat main

Hawa pe dhoondho uske nishaan

The signs

"Nature is God's living, visible garment." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In my pursuit of the divine, I've come to realize that the journey is challenging and not straightforward. But I'm determined to overcome it. I have a strong desire to connect with the divine force that eludes me, and I won't stop until I find it.

Gulzar gives the signs of that beloved: The divine force that I seek is like a dewdrop that appears in the darkness and comes to life as soon as the first rays of the sun touch it. I know that it is a physical manifestation of God's presence, dancing in the reflections from those tiny dew drops.

Similarly, my beloved is also like a dewdrop that can only be found within me when I am calm and at peace. I understand that I must delve deeper to discover and connect with him. I won't stop until I find him and experience his divine presence.

Despite my tireless efforts to find even the slightest trace of him, I have come up empty-handed. 

This divine presence seems to be playful yet elusive; playing hide-and-seek with me. At times, it manifests on the branches of a tree, taking the form of sparkling sunlight, only to transform into a gentle shade of another tree in the next moment.

I can feel the essence of him lingering in the air, yet my eyes fail to catch a glimpse.

It’s like an endless search, a quest with no definite destination in sight.

Gulzar here gives the signs of him; For him, the divine is not hidden. It is woven into every thread of nature, every beat of our hearts. We need to just open our eyes to see, our ears to hear and our souls to feel. It is just a matter of understanding this truth and viewing the world from this perspective. 

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein

Main uske roop ka shahdayi

Woh dhoop chaanv sa harjai

Woh shokh hai rang badalta hai

Main rang roop ka saudaai

The realisation

“To live is to change, to change is to grow, to grow is to learn, to learn is to love.” - Confucius

Here, Gulzar unravels the mystery behind my struggle to find him.

Though I was searching for the most precious treasure but was looking in the wrong places. 

I was seeking the divine in physical beauty, attempting to confine him to a definite form and a specific location.

While he is elusive, shapeless, and omnipresent.

His playfulness is depicted as he dances through the bright sun and hides in the shadows. 

His form, presence and feel are ever-changing and I was only looking at the shapes and forms.

He changes his hues and forms now and then, while I am blinded by colours and shapes.

I was searching for external beauty and physical signs while I needed to look at it from a deeper perspective. 

True love isn't about finding the perfect face or perfect body. It's about embracing the ever-changing palette of emotions, experiences, and expressions that come with loving someone. 

It's about accepting that love, like life itself, is a vibrant dance of change.

I need to accept his unpredictability and ever-changing nature; because he is not confined to one particular shape or form but is omnipresent in every aspect of nature, including human beings.

And, the moment I realise this truth; for me, the world will transform into a paradise. 

Love is not a destination, but the journey itself. It is the appreciation of every hue, every shape, every moment that brings alive the connection we have with ourselves and others.

This song about love is not an ordinary one. Gulzar not only explains divine love like no one else but also provides us with signs and ways to find it. He also corrects how we have been searching for it. 

All of these factors make it an extraordinary song.

“All that is real in me is God; all that is real in God is I. The gulf between God and me is thus bridged. Thus by knowing God, we find that kingdom of heaven is within us.” – Swami Vivekanand

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APo73rlxWaE&list=RDAPo73rlxWaE&index=1