“Bidaad” is one of the best performances of Shajarian. He passed away two weeks ago.

Classical Persian music has several named pieces, like musical sentences, which musician should improvise around them when composing music. Bidaad is one of these pieces. Using this old piece and its title with very specific lyrics from Hafiz composed a beautiful language game. bi+daad: without-“daad”. The word “daad” has two senses: 1. shout, 2. justice. All senses of the word are valid in this context: no justice, no shout, a simple piece from classical Persian music.

In my opinion, Persian speakers appreciate this music when they follow the lyrics and pay attention to the way Shajarian performs with a genuine emotion. Here is my attempt to translate 14th century’s lyrics of Hafiz:

  • یاری اندر کس نمی‌بینیم یاران را چه شد
    • I don’t see any fellowship in anyone. What happened to the fellow companions?
  • دوستی کی آخر آمد دوستداران را چه شد
    • When did friendship come to its end? What happened to friends?
  • آب حیوان تیره گون شد خضر فرخ پی کجاست
    • Elixir of life is spoiled. Where is Khidr?
  • خون چکید از شاخ گل باد بهاران را چه شد
    • Dew turned into blood on flower leaves. Where is the wind of change?
  • کس نمی‌گوید که یاری داشت حق دوستی
    • No one is shouting that friendship is the justified right in companionship.
  • حق شناسان را چه حال افتاد یاران را چه شد
    • What is going with honourable? What happened to the fellow companions?
  • لعلی از کان مروت برنیامد سال‌هاست
    • It has been years that no diamond came out of the mine of humanity.
  • تابش خورشید و سعی باد و باران را چه شد
    • What happened to the sunshine, wind and rain (to bring out a diamond in the rough)?
  • شهر یاران بود و خاک مهربانان این دیار
    • This country was the city of friendships and the land of kindness!
  • مهربانی کی سر آمد شهریاران را چه شد
    • When did kindness come to its end? What happened to those lords (those who used to run this country)?
  • گوی توفیق و کرامت در میان افکنده‌اند
    • The ball of grace and honour is rolling in this game,
  • کس به میدان در نمی‌آید سواران را چه شد
    • but no one dares to play. Where are the riders? (in Chogan game)
  • صدهزاران گل شکفت و بانگ مرغی برنخاست
    • Thousands of blossoms bloom, but no bird sang for them.
  • عندلیبان را چه پیش آمد هزاران را چه شد
    • What happened to nightingales? Where are those singing birds?
  • زهره سازی خوش نمی‌سازد مگر عودش بسوخت
    • Why is Venus not tuning to play? Is her lute burned?
  • کس ندارد ذوق مستی میگساران را چه شد
    • No one has the taste to get tipsy. What happened to the lushes?
  • حافظ اسرار الهی کس نمی‌داند خموش
    • Hafiz! Be silent! No one knows these divine secrets.
  • از که می‌پرسی که دور روزگاران را چه شد
    • Who do you ask all these questions about the course of time?