Zeb and Haniya was conceived circa 2000-2003, the girls’ college days in the United States. Chup, their first song, came to life in sessions at an abandoned café in the basement of Zeb's dorm. After a tremendous response from the college community, Zeb and Haniya recorded a rough version of Chup and another song titled Yaad with Mekaal Hasan (of Mekaal Hasan Band). Once again, the response was remarkable. The songs were a hit. They spread on the internet and soon found their way onto Pakistan’s City FM 89 radio waves.
Zeb has been singing since age eight and has been training as a vocalist since 1998 with acclaimed Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. Her fellow musician and first cousin, Haniya, is a guitarist, vocalist and a songwriter. 9 of their debut album’s 10 songs are original compositions. Produced by Mekaal Hasan, at Digital Fidelity Studios, the accompanying musicians on the album read like a ‘best of’ list in the national music scene: former Noori drummer, Louis 'Gumby' Pinto on percussion, Shallum Xavier of Fuzon on lead guitar, bass by Kamran 'Mannoo' Zafar, Mauj’s Omran Shafique plays a blues solo on their debut single Aitebaar, and Co-Ven’s Hamza Jafri (guitars), Sikander Mufti (drums) and Sameer Ahmed (bass) are featured on the final track of the album. Finally, the accomplished Norwegian jazz trumpeter, Hildegen Øiseth, makes an unforgettable appearance in some tracks.
The album was snapped up by Fire Records, one of the biggest labels in Pakistan, and is due for release in June 2008. In addition, Zeb and Haniya shot their first video in March 2008 with renowned director Saqib Malik, (of Khamaj Fame) The video is slated for release in June 2008.
After the success of Chup and Yaad, Zeb and Haniya’s climb up the music industry ladder began with live performances. The first was commissioned by the American Consulate in Islamabad (2005). This was followed by the first full-length Zeb and Haniya concert in Lahore (2006). Sponsored by Levi’s, the gig established the duo as a solid live act delivering a first class performance of originals and covers in both English and Urdu. Zeb and Haniya were selected as part of the finale line-up for the Rock Your Shenakht Festival in Karachi held on the 60th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Each time the duo has received rave reviews from the press and the audiences alike.
Zeb and Haniya have matured from the underground to the national scene, where their ascent continues today, on the eve of the release of their debut album. Their songs bring a spectrum of style, instrumentation and influence. Some tracks ring with the cheeriness of pop while others capture the evocative richness of Pashto and Farsi folk traditions. Their sound is not confined to one genre, and has been described as Alternative, Art Folk, Ethnic Blues and World Music. Their influences are many, including pioneering pop and folk from Pakistan, 60s and 70s folk guitar-based music from the US and UK, classical South Asian music, classic Jazz, delta Blues. The artists skim across decades, genres and borders to produce a truly innovative sound. Their songs seamlessly mix blues grooves and jazzy rhythms into complex melodies grounded in local traditions. Finally, we have a sound that touches the brilliant kaleidoscope of language, history and culture that is Pakistan .
Bibi Sanam Janem
Zeb & Haniya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
bibi sanam jaanam, anaar-i seestaanam
adored lady, my love, my (sweet) Sistani pomegranate
بہ دروازۂ تاج قرغان جائے صنم جانم
bah darwaaza-i taaj-qurghaan jaa-i sanam jaanam
at the gate of Tashkurgan is your home, my dearest love
کسے حرفِ دلِ ما را ندانست
kase harf-i dil-i ma ra nadaanist
no one knows what our heart says
بہائے محفلِ ما را ندانست
bahaa- i mahfil-i ma ra nadaanist
knows not the value of our gathering
بہ جز طوفان کسے در شہرِ غربت
bajuz toofaan kase dar shahr-i ghurbat
in the alien city, except for the storm, no one
نشانِ محفلِ ما را ندانست
nishaan-i mahfil-i ma ra nadaanist
(no one) knows where our gathering is
بی بی صنم جانم انارِ سیستانم
bibi sanam jaanam, anaar-i seestaanam
adored lady, my love, my (sweet) Sistani pomegranate
بہ دروازۂ تاج قرغان جائے صنم جانم
bah darwaaza-i taaj-qurghaan jaa-i sanam jaanam
at the gate of Tashkurgan is your home, my dearest love
دلِ نازک تر از اندیشہ دارم
dil-i naazuk tar az andesha daaram
I have a heart weaker through fear
ہوائے معتدل چون ریشہ دارم
hawaa-i mu'tadil chun resha daaram
as temperate weather makes the roots flourish
ہمہ گلہائی عالم گر بخشکد
hama gulhaa-i aalaam gar bekhushkad
were all the flowers of the world to dry up
تو در باغِ خیالیم ریشہ داری
tu dar baagh-i khayaalam resha daree
you will still be rooted in the garden of our thoughts
بی بی صنم جانم انارِ سیستانم
bibi sanam jaanam, anaar-i seestaanam
adored lady, my love, my (sweet) Sistani pomegranate
بہ دروازۂ تاج قرغان جائے صنم جانم
bah darwaaza-i taaj-qurghaan jaa-i sanam jaanam
at the gate of Tashkurgan is your home, my dearest
The song Bibi Sanam Janem by Zeb & Haniya speaks of love and devotion towards a person who holds a special place in the singer's heart. The use of metaphors throughout the lyrics adds depth and meaning to the song. The reference to "anaar-i seestaanam" (Sistani pomegranate) suggests that the person being sung to is sweet and cherished like the fruit. The lines "at the gate of Tashkurgan is your home, my dearest love" imply that the person being addressed is far away, possibly in a different land or city, making it difficult for the singer to be close to them.
The rest of the lyrics reflect on the beauty of their relationship, where the two people have an unspoken understanding and a bond that no one else can comprehend. The lines "I have a heart weaker through fear" and "as temperate weather makes the roots flourish" hints at the singer's vulnerability and sensitivity to the beauty around them. The concluding lines, "you will still be rooted in the garden of our thoughts," convey that the person being sung to will always be remembered with love and will never be forgotten.
Line by Line Meaning
bibi sanam jaanam, anaar-i seestaanam
You are my adored lady, my love, and my sweet pomegranate from Sistan.
bah darwaaza-i taaj-qurghaan jaa-i sanam jaanam
You reside at the gate of Tashkurgan, my dearest love.
kase harf-i dil-i ma ra nadaanist
No one knows what our hearts say.
bahaa- i mahfil-i ma ra nadaanist
No one knows the worth of our gathering.
bajuz toofaan kase dar shahr-i ghurbat
In this foreign city, nobody knows anything except the storm.
nishaan-i mahfil-i ma ra nadaanist
No one knows where our gathering takes place.
dil-i naazuk tar az andesha daaram
I have a heart that is weaker from fear.
hawaa-i mu'tadil chun resha daaram
Just as temperate weather helps the roots grow, I feel more at ease.
hama gulhaa-i aalaam gar bekhushkad
Even if all the flowers in the world were to wither, you are rooted in the garden of my thoughts.
Contributed by Nathan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.