The song “Mast Qalandar” is believed to be first written by Amir Khusro in honour of 12th century Sufi saint and poet Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, who happened to be a contemporary of Rumi. It is believed then after Baba Bulle Shah made certain improvisations in this song. (1/n) https://twitter.com/thewayfarersoul/status/1272809357885861889

His resting place Sehwan sharif is at Sehwan, Sindh (present day Pakistan) and that’s why he is referred as “Sindhdi da, Sehwan da”. There are four forever burning lamps in the shrine towards his head so “chaar charag tere baran hamesha”. It is believed that if someone (2/n)

Makes wish there lighting fifth lamp that wish will come true, that’s why “panjwa baran aayi bala jhoolelan”, Hindus of sindh province believed him to be a reincarnation of Lord Jhulelal that’s why people in subcontinent has immense faith towards it irrespective of religion (3/n)

Different people have different beliefs regarding four forever burning lamps, some belief it to be representing Ahl-ay-Bait, Prophet himself, Hazrat Ali, Hazrat Hassan & Hazrat Hussain, the fifth lamp representing faith (imaan) lighted by devout as a mark of faith (4/n)

Some believe them to be representing the “Char Yaar” (Four friends) foremost Sufi saints in Indian subcontinent, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar himself, Baba Farid Ganj Shakar, Syed Jalaluddin Bukhari & Bahauddin Zaraiach Multani in Multan and became close friends all of them (5/n)

Founding different schools of Sufism.
The four lamps representing these four Sufi saints. The words “dama dam” “दमा दम” are actually “dam adam” “दम-अदम” which means existent or non-existent something which beyond boundaries of existence and non-existence which is true state (6/n)

Of liberation. Like Kabir also says
“हद हद टपे सो औलिया, बेहद टपे सो पीर
हद अनहद दोउ टपे सो वाको नाम फ़कीर
कबीरा, सो वाको नाम फ़कीर!”

One who transcends borders is knowledgeable, one who transcends limitless is a spiritual guide, but one who transcends all this is Faqir (7/n)

So next time when u listen to this, don’t just get caught in beats of music and rhythm but try loosing yourself in the depth of meaning it carries.