‘Soye Nahi’ is written, arranged and produced by Pakistani artist Natasha Humera Ejaz. The song caught film-maker/actor Usman Mukhtar’s attention as he was bringing Ali Mudar’s ‘Bench’ into existence.
At the time he had already intended to use Natasha’s song ‘Abhi Abhi’ for the soundtrack and so Mukhtar decided to ask Natasha to take up the mantle of Music Director for his film.
As development of the song continued, Natasha was inspired to explore the possibility to fuse this indie Urdu tune with some traditional Bengali verses. This is when Natasha realized Nobel laureate Rabrindranath Tagore’s ‘Rabindrasangeet,’ or Tagore Songs seemed to resonate with the direction of the song.
The one that aligned itself perfectly into the context of the song was Purano Shei Diner Kotha, which translates to “How could you forget our past”? And thus the song began to ‘capture the distinct feeling experienced when one is rendered sleepless by their sense of devotion. And in this state of self-reflection, one is helpless against the realization that the extent to which they can love is without limit and without boundary.’
Along with Natasha, the song features Adhora Mahpara on the intro narration and text by Rabindranath Tagore from his song ‘Tomar Khola Hawa’, Iman Shahid on backing vocals and Danish Khawaja on
electric guitar. It has been mastered by Misbah Ud Din. All other aspects of production were done by
Natasha.
lyrics
Narration Text from ‘Tomar Khola Hawa’
Majhir laagi achhi jaagi
Shokol raatri bela
Dheu gulo je amay niye
Kore kebol khela
I’m awake all night, waiting for the sailor
But the waves, they only play with me
Lyrics:
Purano shei diner kotha
Bhulbi ki re haay o she
Choker dekha praaner kotha
Shei ki bhola jaay
Soye nahi, jaage nahi, khoye nahi, bhaage nahi
Dil ke ye pinjre ki mere paas chabi nahi, chabi nahi
Kein hongi batein kayi, kaati hongi ratein kayi, ratein kayi
Phir bhi ye pinjre ki mere paas chabi nahi, chabi nahi
Jo hai tera, rahe tera
Jo hai mera, woh sab hai tera
Aay aar ek ti baar aay re shokha
Praaner majhe aay
Mora shuker dukher kotha kobo
Praan joraabe jaay
Soye nahi, jaage nahi, khoye nahi, bhaage nahi
Dil ke ye pinjre ki, mere paas chabhi nahi, chabi nahi
Kiye honge waade kayi, torday hein irade sabhi, waday sabhi
Phir bhi ye pinjre ki, mere paas chabi nahi, chabi nai
Jo hai tera, rahe tera
Jo hai mera, woh sab hai tera
(Urdu/Bengali overlap)
Haay maajh er holo chaara-chaari
Gele ke kothaay
Aamar dekha jodi holo tobe praaner maajhe aay
Soye nahi, jaage nahi, khoye nahi, bhaage nahi
Dil ke ye pinjre ki, mere paas chabhi nahi, chabi nahi
Purano shei diner kotha
Bhulbi ki re haay o she
Choker dekha praaner kotha
Shei ki bhola jaay
Kiye honge waade kayi, torday hein irade sabhi, waday sabhi
Phir bhi ye pinjre ki, mere paas chabi nahi, chabi nai
Translation
How could you forget our past
could anyone forget those trysts, that intimacy
Im not awake, nor asleep, not found but not yet lost
And the key to my locked heart, I don’t hold
We’ve spent many a night, locked in talk
but still, that key, I do not have
So what is yours, may it remain yours
And what is mine...is yours
Friend, be by my side
Let us talk pleasure, grief and relief
We got separated, we were lost
But since we are now reunited,
Friend, be by my side
Im not awake, nor asleep, not found but not yet lost
And the key to my locked heart, I don’t hold
We made promises, we forgot the past,
Yet I still can’t unlock the cage of my heart
Somewhere we are separated,
O’ Where were we lost
If we ever reunite, friend, be by my side
credits
from Bench - Original Soundtrack,
released June 20, 2020
Artist Name: Natasha Humera Ejaz
Lyrics: Natasha Humera Ejaz (Urdu), Rabindranath Tagore (Bengali; opening excerpt from Tomar Khola Hawa; sung poetry
‘Purano Shei Diner Kotha’ from his Rabindrasangeet archives)
Composition: Natasha Humera Ejaz, Rabindranath Tagore (Purano Shei Diner Kotha)
Additional Vocals: Adhora Mahpara (Tomar Khola Hawa), Anonymous (Purano Shei Diner Kotha), Iman Shahid (Backing
Vocals)
Production/Electronics/Instrumentation/Mix: Natasha Humera Ejaz
Electronic Guitar: Danish Khawaja
Master: Misbah Ud Din
Artwork/Lyric Video: Usman Mukhtar
English translation: Ali Hasan Junejo, Osman Khalid Butt, Adhora Mahpara, and Natasha Humera Ejaz
Studios: Audio DNA, S & M Studios (Sarmad Ghafoor)
Distribution: ReArts, Silent Roar Productions
MGMT/Production Design (Album Release): Tiny Dancer Live Productions
Additional Film Credits:
Directer: Usman Mukhtar
Music Director/Producer: Natasha Humera Ejaz
Master: Ali Suhail (Abhi Abhi)
Asst Director: Tuba Afzal
DOP: Omer Bari, Adnan Aslam
February 2023's Spotify Equal Ambassador for Pakistan, Natasha Humera Ejaz, is a recording/performing artist,
music producer, actor, dancer, educator and entrepreneur from Islamabad Pakistan.
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