Syed Irfan Haider performs the Noha “Sakina Utho Meri Jaan Utho,” written by Mazhar Abidi. It opens with a mother’s plea at her daughter’s grave, using the words “Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar Chale,” or “We’ve been freed, let’s go home.” The lament is a one-sided conversation rooted in the aftermath of the Battle of Karbala.
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan Utho
Syed Irfan Haider
Syed Irfan Haider’s Sakina Utho Meri Jaan Utho Lyrics Translation
The meaning of the ‘Sakina Utho Meri Jaan Utho’ lyrics develops through a series of instructions for the afterlife. The mother directs her child to show relatives her burnt frock as evidence of suffering. She also tells her to ask her uncle about the thirst that led to his sacrifice.
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Yeh Karti Thi Maa Lahd Par BukaThis is what a mother wailed at the grave
Meri Laadli Chalo Ghar ChaleMy darling, let’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Yahan Se Chalo Chale KarbalaFrom here, let’s go to ‘Karbala’
Wahin Par Tumhe Milenge ChachaYou will meet your uncle there
Sitam Jo Hue Batana UnheinTell him about the torments we suffered
Dikhana Unhein Yeh Kurta JalaShow him this burnt frock
Chacha Jaan Ko Dikhana Zara Raahein Khoon BhariShow your dear uncle the blood-filled paths
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Batana Unhein Sabhi SakhtiyanTell them of all the hardships
Mili Kis Qadar Aziyat HumeinHow much agony we were made to endure
Humari Rida Luti Kis TarahHow our veils were plundered
Chhini Kis Tarah Se Teri BaaliyanHow your earrings were snatched away
Batana Unhein Ke Kis Tarah Roti Thi TashnagiTell them how our very thirst used to cry
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Padar Se Milo Toh Dil Joi HoWhen you meet your father, may your heart find peace
Batana Unhein Bahut Royi HoTell him how much you have cried
Kasam Lo Agar Tumhaare Bina SakinaChallenge him to swear that without you, Sakina
Kabhi Kahin Soyi HoEver found sleep anywhere
Shaheed Baap Se Milna Jab Tum Toh Kehna YehiWhen you meet your martyred father, say this to him
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Lab E Alqama Tu Karna FugaanOn the banks of the ‘Alqama’ river, you must lament
Teri Mauj Hai Abhi Tak RawaanIts waves are still flowing on
Meri Pyaas Par Hue The JudaIt was for my thirst that they were severed
Chacha Ke Mere Baazu KahaanWhere are my uncle’s arms?
Kahaan Mashk Hai Kahaan Hai Alam Kahaan Hai ZariWhere is the water skin, where is the standard, where is the banner?
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Labon Pe Tere Yehi Baat ThiThese were the words always on your lips
Watan Jaayenge Kabhi Hum Phupi“Auntie, will we ever go home?”
Tujhe Shimr Ka Nahi Khauf AbYou don’t have to fear ‘Shimr’ now
Satayega Na Tujhe Ab ShaqiThat cruel man won’t torment you anymore
Nikal Qaid Se Shuru Hum Karein Nayi ZindagiCome out of this prison, let’s start a new life
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Ghareeb Ho Gaye Luta KaafilaWe became destitute, our caravan was looted
Wida Hoke Jab Watan JaayegaWhen it departs and goes back to our homeland
Tujhe Paayegi Jo Behna TeriWhen your sister finally finds you
Toh Beemar Ko Milegi DawaThe ailing one will receive her medicine
Gale Milke Phir Bahut Royegi Woh Behna TeriEmbracing, your sister will then weep so much
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Kya Marqad E Sakina Pe Mazhar Karega BayaanWhat can Mazhar describe at the tomb of Sakina?
Wahan Yeh Manzar BayaanHe describes this very scene there
Ata Umr Kar Ise Ya RabGrant him life, O Lord
Yeh Irfan Hai Tera Noha KhwaanThis Irfan is the reciter of your lament
Wahan Jaake Phir Kahega Lagega Nahi Dil KahinGoing there, he’ll say his heart won’t settle anywhere else
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan UthoSakina, wake up, my dear, wake up
Rihaai Mili Chalo Ghar ChaleWe’ve been freed, let’s go home
Chalo Ghar ChaleLet’s go home
Sakina Utho Meri Jaan Utho Music Video
The track takes the form of a refrain, repeating the impossible plea for the child to awaken. Each verse details specific hardships for the daughter to recount to martyred family members. This structure pairs the news of freedom with an inventory of irreversible loss.