Simplicity

Take a part of a 500 year old poem from one of the most prolific mystics that this world has seen. Stick to the tune that has been sung for generations. Add a piece of poetry that almost introduces the main poem. You get a fantastic short song, a catchy energetic piece that makes one want to return to the simplicity that only lack of material goods can bring.

Kabir

 In 15th century India, lived a mystic, whose poetry has spanned generations, and whose work bridged boundaries of class and religion in an era of communal separation and heterogeneity. His style of poems, called Dohe, used simple language of its times, and urged people to integrate with the society, return to simplicity and to favor spirituality over material goods.

Says Kabir,
Jo sukh paayo raam bhajan mein Woh sukh naahi amiri mein Mann laago mero yaar gareebi mein Mann laago mero yaar fakiri

The happiness I find in praising the lord, I do not find that in being rich.
My mind enjoys simplicity, my mind enjoys being unattached.

Neeraj Arya founded a Mumbai based group called Kabir Cafe, exclusively singing the 500 year old poetry of this saint. Neeraj is the lead vocalist, and also plays the rhythm guitar. The 5 piece band adds Raman Iyer on Mandolin, Viren Solanki on assosrted percussions and drums, Mukund Ramaswamy on violin, and Poubuanpou Britto KC on Bass Guitars. Many of the artists rotate for backing vocals.

Kabir encouraged diversity and believed in using influences and themes that one observes to improved ones own lives. True to that, Kabir Cafe goes across a specific genre or type of music into innovative and enjoyable fusion.

Starting with Pentagram, one of Mumbai's first rock groups to make it big, and then moving to mainstream cinema with Vishal-Shekhar duo as a music director, Vishal Dadlani has now taken a new form as a composer, an innovater and a collaborator. Vishal writes some of the lyrics and in this song, provides an introduction to the original Dohe. He manages to compliment the original tune, but do not extend it. 




I have not yet found an apt word that describes Faquiri (or Fakiri). In acomplimentary way, it can be interpreted as a spiritual, ascetic, one who has connected with a world beyond the world you and I see around us. In a derogatory way, it can be dismissed as a vagabond, a wastrel, one with no worldly possessions or attachments.

In this song, I feel the key aspect of the word that's important is simplicity of life and detachment towards material goods.

The song starts with Vishal's overture. Kabir stands first and foremost, in his simplicity, his chest swells with pride and joy of being unattached to material goods.He isn't afraid of the world, for who can rob any one who has nothing at all!

Neeraj Arya's band comes next, singing the original Dohe. The video shows a variety of common workers, women in the fields, a watch maker repairing a watch, two men sawing wood. The diverse set of folks that often have little in their wallets but have a smile on their faces.

It jumps from there to the fourth stanza in the poem.My only regret in this song is the fact they did not sing the original dohe entirely. The first three stanzas talk about how Kabir leads his simple life as a faqir. His empire spans in all four directions - there're no boundaries. If you would like to hear the full original song, I have included a link to a live performance below.

But getting back to the specific rendition that's featured here, Neeraj Arya's Kabir cafe jumps to the fourth stanza. It says, at the end, everything turns to dust. There's little point in accumulating material wealth. With patience, you find the lord within.

Dewarists Season 4 Episode 2

Watch on Youtube or listen on soundcloud - Vishal Dadlani and Neeraj Arya's Kabir Cafe collaborate on  yet another fantastic Indipop song Fakiri

The song came together in one episode of Dewarists. Watch the full episode on YouTube. If you would like to hear the full original Doha by Kabir Cafe, there's an excellent live version available.