padi namaaz te riyaaz na sikhya, teri kis kaam padiyan namaaza
na ghar ditha na gharwala ditha, teri kis kaam kitiyan niyaaza
ilam padaya te amal na kita, teri kis kaam kitiyan kaza
bhulle shah pata tad lag si, jado chidi fasi hath baaza
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
jhoothe maan tere jhoothe sab chede kissie nahin teri baat puchni
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni-
jo ghadya so bhajna ek din jo banaya so dhena
aakhir chadne mahal minare bhaith sada nahin rehna
char dina da mela oithe bahuti deer nahin behna
jo bhi cheda sadak chalya ohi manna pena
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
kol nahin bhain bharava pal vich ja dafnana
tur jana tenu sab ne chad bahuta chir na lana
muk jaane sab chede tere haith mitti jad aana
us din sadak russe nu kissie nahin aan manauna
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
tenu moda de ke torna jhaan ne
tenu moda de ke torna jhaan ne
aana mitti thale terti uchi shaan ne
suche chad ke tu tur jana tu vedhe-
kissie ne teri jaat puchni-
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
jhoothe maan te aakhad teri jhooyhiyan terian bata-
gallan naal banave pal vich dina nu kaliyan raatan
jhoothe mahal manare tere jhoothiyan teriyan jaata
amla bajo sadak oithe kissie nahin leniyan jaata
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
kissie kol kadi pal na kholana ae-
kitti apni nu sareiyan ne rona ae-
hone vakho vakh sakhi sathi chede
kissie nahin teri jaat puchini-
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
panchi vangu udd jana ae ik din mar udari-
kadar ohna di peni oithe amal jinna de bhari-
har che chadni peni bandaya jaan to jedi pyari
aaj tureya koi kal tur jana sadak varo vari
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
ve bol jabaan to bol changa mithe bol da jag ae sir hunda
manda bol kade muho kadiye na manda bol sajna tikha teer hunda
ik bol jhaan vicho rabb dinda ek bol mera akhseer hunda
change bol da boleya shaan ucha change bol da akhher changa
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
kissi ne teri jaat puchni
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
kissie ronde nu hasaya hai te das haan
kissie bhukhe nu rajaya hai te dass haan
raah cho rode nu hataya hai ta dass haan
kadi zakhmi kisse da phat nahin seeta
ave pher kakh nahin kita
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
oithe amla de hone ne nabade kissie ne teri jaat puchni
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Overall Meaning:
The lyrics of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's song "Oothe Amla Te Hoone Ne Navede" reflect a contemplation on the value of faith and the consequences of not following its tenets. The singer notes the progress of others around them who have put in the time and effort to become learned in rituals and prayer, while they themselves have neglected their own spiritual growth. They ask who their own prayer serves, as they have not established a home nor done good deeds. The singer muses that even though they have studied, they have not acted upon the knowledge and have not benefited the world through action. They reference the Sufi poet Bulleh Shah and his description of a feeling of confusion and loss of direction when a bird has been caught by the hand.
The repeated phrase "Oothe Amla Te Hoone Ne Navede" can mean both "there, the mangoes are not ripe" as well as "there, no one inquires about your name." The juxtaposition of these meanings implies a commentary on the importance of timing and development. The singer suggests that they have yet to reach a stage of true enlightenment or readiness, as they are not yet "ripe" with wisdom or spiritual growth. Meanwhile, others do not care to ask about their identity or status because they have not proven themselves through action. The singer appears to criticize those who make false claims about faith and reputation, stating that they will not listen to their words.
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