I have been playing Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan as a DJ for a while and it continues to grow on me. I find myself chanting Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan while walking around going about my day sometimes. As a Multicultural Wedding and Party DJ in New Jersey, I hear a lot of music and listen to a very diverse mix of grooves and jams. This one has taken over lately.
Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan
Fun-Da-Mental - Ja Sha Taan (Transglobal Underground Karachi Deathcult Mix)
If you are not familiar with the group Fun-Da-Mental, they are a British group that are often considered radical for their political views and music. They are a diverse group of musicians that typically produce Islamic World Fusion with Asian and Afro-Cuban beats and rhythms. They have gone through several reformations of their musicians but continued to create powerful, conscious music to dance and raise awareness about the treatment of Asian and Afro-Carribean British populations. I think it is important as a professional DJ we need to support artists that are willing to create music that stands for the rights of people who are marginalized or discriminated against like Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan.
“Fun-Da-Mental is a British-based multi-ethnic hip-hop–ethno-techno–world fusion music group formed in 1991. The group is notable for its energetic fusion of Eastern and Western musical forms, for its outspoken political stance, and for its strong Islamic affiliation and advocacy. Fun-Da-Mental’s political stance has led to the group earning the label “the Asian Public Enemy“. The group’s work has led to international attention and collaborations with artists from Pakistan, South Africa and Siberia.” Wikipedia
Listen to Fun-Da-Mental Ja Sha Taan and crank it up! Just make sure you have enough room to move, this is forceful and addictive. You have been warned.
I heard Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi Chiayya Chiayya first during the opening and closing of the film The Inside Man with Denzel Washington. It blew me away immediately and searched online from South Korea, where I was living at the time, for the Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi Chiayya Chiayya to download. It has since been one of my favorite songs to dance and move to. As a professional DJ, I do not have many events where this song can make its appearance.
Chaiyya Chaiyya Inside Job Clip
Like many Indian hit songs, it initially was from the film, Dil Se, and gained popularity from the great music video on the train. The lyrics are based on a Sufi folk song, originally in Urdu named “Thaiyya Thaiyya” by the poet Bulleh Shah.
Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi Chiayya ChiayyaMusic Video
The lyrics below are in both English and transliterated for English readers. Beautiful stuff!
Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi Chiayya Chiayya Lyrics
Jinke Sar Ho Ishq Ki Chaaon
He whose head is in the shadow of love
Paanv Ke Neeche Jannat Hogi
Will have heaven beneath his feet
Jinke Sar Ho Ishq Ki Chaaon
Whose head is in the shadow of love
Saare Ishq Ki Chaaon Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya
Saare Ishq Ki Chaaon Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya
Walk in heaven
Paanv Janat Chale Chal Chaiya Chaiya
Paanv Janat Chale Chal Chaiya Chaiya
Walk in the shadow
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Walk in the shadow
Saare Ishq Ki Chaaon Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya
Saare Ishq Ki Chaaon Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya
Walk in heaven
Paanv Janat Chale Chal Chaiya Chaiya
Paanv Janat Chale Chal Chaiya Chaiya
Walk in the shadow
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Walk in the shadow
Woh Yaar Hai Jo Khusboo Ki Tarah
There’s a friend who is like a sweet fragrance
Jiski Zubaan Urdu Ki Tarah
Whose words are like poetry ( Urdu , the language of poetry )
Meri Shamo – Raat Meri Kaynaat
Who is my evening , my night , my existence
Woh Yaar Mera Saiyyan Saiyyan
That friend is my beloved !
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Walk in the shadow
Gulposh Kabhi Itraye Kahin
Sometimes ( My beloved ) flirts like a flower
Mehke To Nazar Aa Jaye Kahin
So fragrantly that you may see her scent
Gulposh Kabhi Itraye Kahin
Sometimes ( My beloved ) flirts like a flower
Mehke To Nazar Aa Jaye Kahin
So fragrantly that you may see her scent
Taabeez Banaa Ke Pahnoo Use
Having made it into an charm , I will wear it
Aayat Ki Tarah Mil Jaaye Kahin
She shall be obtained as a miracle is obtained
Taabeez Banaa Ke Pahnoo Use
Having made it into an charm , I will wear it
Aayat Ki Tarah Mil Jaaye Kahin
She shall be obtained as a miracle is obtained
Gulposh Kabhi Itraye Kahin
Sometimes ( My beloved ) flirts like a flower
Mehke To Nazar Aa Jaye Kahin
So fragrantly that you may see her scent
Mera Nagma Wahi Mera Kalma Wahi
She is my song, my declaration of faith ( Kalama: the Muslim confession of faith , as in , “La ilaaha il Allah” – “There is no God but Allah” )
Mera Nagma Wahi Mera Kalma Wahi
She is my song, my declaration of faith ( Kalama: the Muslim confession of faith , as in , “La ilaaha il Allah” – “There is no God but Allah” )
Woh Yaar Hai Jo Imaam Ki Tarah
My friend is like a priest to me
Mera Nagama Nagama
My song…..
Mera Qalama Qalama
My declaration of faith…..
Yaar Misaale Os Chale
She moves like the dew
Panv Ke Tale Firdaus Chale
She walks with the garden of heaven beneath her feet
Kabhi Daal Daal Kabhi Paat Paat
Sometimes through the branches , sometimes amidst the leaves
Main Hawa Pe Dhoondho Uske Nishaan
I shall search the wind for her trail !
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Walk in the shadow
Main Uske Roop Ka Sedaai
I trade in her beauty
Woh Dhoop Chhaanhon Sa Harjaaii
Fickle , she flits shamelessly from sun to shade
Woh Shokh Rang Badalta Hai
She changes her bright colors
Main Rang Roop Ka Saudaai
I negotiate that as well
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Chal Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya Chaiyya
Walk in the shadow
Woh Yaar Hai Jo Khusboo Ki Tarah
There’s a friend who is like a sweet fragrance
Jiski Zubaan Urdu Ki Tarah
Whose words are like poetry ( Urdu , the language of poetry )
Meri Shamo – Raat Meri Kaynaat
Who is my evening , my night , my existence
Woh Yaar Mera Saiyyan Saiyyan
That friend is my beloved !
Tomorrow I get the opportunity as Multicultural Wedding DJ for an Indian Bride and a French Canadian Groom. This will be the first time I am Multicultural Wedding DJ for this specific Bride and and Groom pairing. As a Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ, I often to get create extraordinary Weddings for all kinds of Brides and Grooms. I relish the chance to participate in such an important event. We have had fun collaborating on creating their playlist and amazing Wedding night together. They live in Montreal, Canada and the wedding is being held at The Mirage in Edison, New Jersey. Edison, New Jersey has a very vibrant community of Indian-Americans and probably the best and most authentic Indian cuisine in New Jersey.
The Mirage is beautiful and excellent venue to hold a Wedding or Party if you want authentic Indian Cuisine and atmosphere.
From The Mirage website:
“A grand porch, long enough to park the longest limo, welcomes you gracefully. Onyx and granite waterfalls great your guests and amber crystals light the way. It is no illusion. This is the elegant and beautiful MIRAGE.”
Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ
One of the fun and interesting aspects of preparing for this wedding as the Multicultural Wedding DJ, has been the new music that I have been turned-on to by the Bride and Groom. They have very diverse and eclectic taste in music like I do. The Bride and Groom have selected many french songs from Canada, France, Mali and other French-speaking regions of Africa. The Wedding Ceremony will be a traditional Hindi Wedding. The Cocktail Hour will be predominantly Jazz Vocalists like Nat King Cole, Edith Piaf, Louis Armstrong and Astrud Gilberto, among others. The Reception will feature music from India, Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and of course, The United States.
Should be a fun night as a Rhode Island Multicultural Wedding DJ!
