Mumbai: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut web series ‘Hiramandi’ emerged as one of the most-watched shows on Netflix. Among its many songs, ‘Sakal Ban’ stands out for weaving history and spirituality into its melody.
‘Sakal Ban’ beautifully captures the vibrant colours of Basant Panchami, the enchanting beauty of nature, and the spirit of new beginnings. This song, picturised around the traditional ‘nath utarai’ ceremony in Bollywood style, has a deep historic significance that traces back centuries.
The song’s lyrics describe the blossoming mustard fields and the blooming nature that signals the arrival of spring: “Sakal ban phool rahi sarson, ban ban phool rahi sarson, ambwa phute tesu phule, koyel bole daar-daar aur gori karti singaar, sakal ban.” These words vividly portray nature’s transformation during Basant, filling the universe with love and enthusiasm.
In the ‘Hiramandi’ series, the song is filmed during ‘Alamjeeb’s nath utarai’ ritual, where dancers dress in yellow celebrating Alamjeeb’s changing life. However, the origins of ‘Sakal Ban’ are rooted in the 14th century with the legendary Sufi poet and musician Amir Khusro.
Amir Khusro composed and sang ‘Sakal Ban’ for his spiritual mentor, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, who was grieving the death of his nephew. The saint had withdrawn from social interaction and food due to his sorrow. Observing this, Khusro sought a way to bring joy back to his guru.
On Basant Panchami, Khusro noticed women dressed in yellow carrying yellow flowers used to worship Goddess Saraswati. Inspired, he adorned himself in yellow clothes with mustard flowers in hand and sang ‘Sakal Ban’ before his guru. This gesture brought a smile to Hazrat Nizamuddin’s face, marking a turning point.
Since then, every Basant Panchami, the Sufi spring festival is celebrated at the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi with the singing of ‘Sakal Ban’ and other songs like ‘Aaj Basant Mana Le Suhagan’. These songs symbolize the love between guru and disciple along with the joy of new beginnings.
The same song was beautifully adapted in ‘Hiramandi’, linking the historical tradition with the cinematic portrayal of the ‘nath utarai’ ceremony. In the series, this ritual signifies a courtesan’s readiness to join the working world and find a new patron, adding cultural depth to the narrative.
Thus, ‘Sakal Ban’ remains a timeless celebration of nature, devotion, and the enduring bond between teacher and student, bridging centuries of Indian cultural heritage.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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