Hari + Ali = Hariyali

In 1997, I wrote a song in Hindusthani called Hariyali, which means spring or verdure.

For some days the words / names Hari and Ali, and their compound Hariyali, were playing in my mind. I was really struck that Hari + Ali = Hariyali. Hari is a common Hindu name, it is a name of Vishnu / Krishna, it means green. Ali is a common Muslim name, and it is the name of Imam Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed, and a pillar of mystic Islam.

Mystic Islam refers to an entity called Khizr, the mysterious green gardener, the protector of rivers, streams, lakes, forests and fields. Khizr shall remain on earth until the Day of Judgement, and then his work is done. He sustains green-ness on earth, he keeps the clear, unsullied stream of the water of love alive in the human heart.

Hari – Krishna – is of course the adorable child with the beautiful tresses, the melody of whose divine flute drew the creatures of the forest, the child so cruelly sought to be killed by the evil king …, the inextinguishable source of inspiration of folk devotion or bhakti in India for centuries.

I wanted to share Krishna with Muslims and Khizr with Hindus, so that they become one in the heart of compassion.

Such meditations led me to writing the song Hariyali. Here are three stanzas of the song.

Hari aur Ali galey miley jab, mulkh mey aayi Hariyaali tab
Barsey baadal, dharti shyaamal, Hari aur Ali jab pakdengey hal

Khil uthey phal phool har disha, khushbu sey mehekey hawa
Saath mein jab ho shyaam vanmaali, paudha-paani hongey nyaari

Jheel nadi khet bageechey, hriday ke hi srot se jaagey
Saath mein jab ho shyaam vanmaali, paudha-paani hongey nyaari

In my translation:

When Hari and Ali embrace
The nation is blessed with verdant grace
Rain showers, earth blooms now
When Hari and Ali together plough

Flower and fruit sprout everywhere
Fragrant perfume fills the air
When there’s with us the Green Forester
Divine all sprouts and all water

Lake, river, field and garden
Hearts’ stream does awaken
When there’s with us the Green Forester
Divine all sprouts and all water