Amir Khusrow has written very many verses that teach us a lot about selfless love and dedication. But this renowned Sufi musician and poet had a playful side that not many of us are aware of.
Amir Khusrow is famous for inventing Keh Mukarni, a form of verses, the literal translation of which means, to contradict after saying something. It’s a dialogue between two friends, women and has a sexual connotation at the beginning which ends with a crazy twist!
Read on:
1.
Translation:
Cuddled up in his arms she slept.
Bosoms pressed against each other, she sobbed.
When the teeth started clattering, she saw.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s winter!
2.
Translation:
He came, ate and drank
He even bit me
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the dog!
3.
Translation:
Late in the night, he comes
And departs for his home early in the morning
This is a unique surprise.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the star.
4.
Translation:
He doesn’t let me walk bare feet
And doesn’t let the dust touch my feet
He kisses my whole feet.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the shoe.
5.
Translation:
Had my bed on the rooftop,
And was off to sleep, when he came;
Could not sleep any further, it was such a pleasure.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it was the moon!
6.
Translation:
Whenever I ask for it, he brings me water
And quenches my thirst
He has a big heart but a small body.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the vessel.
7.
Translation:
The wedding only happens when it comes
There’s no one else like it
I find his words sweet.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the drum!
8.
Translation:
Again and again, it wakes me from sleep
Bites if I don’t wake up
Nervously, I wake up.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s a housefly!
9.
Translation:
It’s so beautiful and colourful,
Very talented also
Never sleeps without prayers.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, a parrot!
10.
Translation:
When it moves, it moves me too
I like the way it moves
But the constant moving has made it weak.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the fan!
11.
Translation:
All the time, I keep hoping for him to come
It stays with me day and night
It does everything that I desire
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the god!
12.
Translation:
All night, I kept it on my bosom
And enjoyed all its features
When it was morning, I removed it.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the necklace
13.
Translation:
I was just lying, and it suddenly came onto me
When it got down, I was sweating
I was so nervous that I couldn’t say anything
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the fever.
14.
Translation:
He enters my bedroom buzzing,
He approaches and wakes me up,
As if whispering the mantra of parting.
Is it your beloved, oh friend?
No dear, it’s a mosquito.
15.
Translation:
I forget my happiness if it doesn’t come
It makes me so happy when it comes
And I hold it close to my chest.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the letter!
16.
Translation:
He makes different expressions
And tries to attract me
I wish I could take it inside.
Is it your lover, oh friend?
No dear, it’s the monkey!
