One of the things I love about Bollywood films is the way they integrate different faith journeys and cultures into everyday life. From Hindu to Sikh to Muslim to Christian, these faith journeys are recognized as an important part of people's lives.
This extends to the music. The song "Noor E Khuda" from the 2010 film My Name is Khan is a prayer. The phrase "Noor E Khuda" means light of God - or God.
As used in the film, this song incorporates segments of the journey of Rizvan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) - an Indian man with Asberger's syndrome - to meet the President of the United States. It also highlights the personal struggles of Rizvan's wife Mandira (Kajol). We see these two individuals living life apart as they each respond to a family tragedy.
The song also offers a new perspective of how some may see faith lived out in America.
In the middle of this song, Rizvan's journey takes him to a Christian mission "Feed Africa Fund Raiser" which advertises the Chief Guest as President George W. Bush.
There is a memorable exchange that happens when Rizvan arrives at the reception desk for the fundraiser:
Receptionist: For dinner with the President, it's five hundred dollars, you know.
Rizvan: (Reaches into shirt pocket and pulls out a wad of cash) Five hundred dollars. (Puts it on the table) That's five hundred.
Receptionist: What church are you from?
Rizvan: Church? Church?
Receptionist: This is a Christians-only event.
Rizvan: But ... but it says its a fundraiser for the drought in Africa.
Receptionist: For Christians, honey. (Holds up money for Rizvan to take back.)
Rizvan: Honey? Honey, keep it. For those who are not Christian in Africa.
Later on we see Rizvan on a bus. The bus makes a stop at a diner and he and some fellow Muslim traveling companions, Imran and Sajida, have the following exchange:
Rizvan: (clicks tongue) Uh-oh! (unzips backpack and takes out a prayer cap)
Imran: Where are you off to? It's time for the bus to leave.
Rizvan: Prayer time.
Imran: Prayer time?
Rizvan: Prayer time.
Imran: Now? Here? You should pray depending upon the place and the people around.
Rizvan: No. No, no. Prayer should never depend upon the place or the people. It should depend only on your belief.
The song "Noor E Khuda" winds in and out of these two scenes and several others. The music instantly draws you in with it's simplicity and beauty. As translated, the lyrics by Niranjan Iyengar become a powerful poetic prayer:
Light of God ... Light of God ...
What strange times are these
There’s fear everywhere
Everything appears foggy
In an instant something is lost
The sky is pale
Breath is frigid
Shadows are separated from bodies
In an instant something is lost
Breath flows haltingly
Body feels like it’s been skinned
On broken dreams
Your world survivesLight of God, Light of God
Tell us where you’re hiding
Light of God, Light of God
Please don’t turn away from us
Light of God ...Shower your grace on us
Awaken mercy and goodness
Burning loneliness…..
Angry shadows…..
What sort of wind is this blowing
What kind of atmosphere is this
The soul is frozen
Time stands still
On broken dreams
Your world survivesLight of God, Light of God
Tell us where you’re hiding
Light of God, Light of God
Please don’t turn away from us
Light of God ...
Light of God ...Desolate moments hope for you
Wounded hearts thirst for you
Every heartbeat searches for you
But no one can find you
Empty eyes ask each other
Peace screams in agony and pain
Rivers of blood plead with you
Every trace of you is being wiped out
The soul is frozen
Time stands still
On broken dreams
Your world survivesLight of God, Light of God
Tell us where you’re hiding
Light of God, Light of God
Please don’t turn away from us
Light of God ...
Light of God ...Light of God, Light of God
where are you?
Light of God, Light of God
where are you?
Light of God, Light of God
Are you really upset with us?
Here is an abbreviated video for the song "Noor E Khuda" written by the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, sung by Adnan Sami, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal and showing scenes from the film.
If you like this piece, read our other Music Monday or My Name is Khan posts.