Dubai: A group of veteran expatriates and nationals have come together to translate acclaimed Emirati poet and writer Dr Shihab Ghanem’s poem ‘Ya Emaarat’ in four languages, set it to music and launch it on YouTube at the Global Village on December 2 to mark National day.
Sami Jassim, a UAE civil defence firefighter for 17 years will sing the Arabic sections while celebrated music and television personality and former Dubai Police officer, Adel Farooq, will render the Hindi, Urdu and English versions of the poem.
The multilingual song reflecting the spirit of UAE, will have a stanza each in Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and English. An addiitional French stanza is due to be added later. said a member of the group.
The result of a brain-storming session held at home of Lajo Gupta, veteran cultural specialist from Dubai that included stalwarts like Dr Ghanem, Indian music director Ehsan Roy and music composer Dev Chakravarty, music enthusiast, singer and businessman Hussain Adamally and singer Hayal Al Alaoui, the track of the song is ready and is being recorded and mixed to meet the deadline. The song will be arranged by Sanjay Das and Partha Paul from Bollywood and recorded at Atif Ali’s studio in Dubai.
This multilingual song reflects the spirit of UAE.
Dr Ghanem, the acclaimed litterateur, told Gulf News: “I wrote this poem last year to mark the 44th National Day. It was translated into English and published in all leading Arabic and some English magazines and widely appreciated. This poem comes straight from my heart. I am proud of my country and its lofty traditions. I am very happy that poem is being translated into so many languages and set to music.”
Gupta, who initiated the project, said: “I was inspired by the speech His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai gave on the occasion of the International Day of Tolerance.
"He spoke movingly about the values that are an intrinsic part of the UAE’s national culture, values that have been exemplified by Shaikh Zayed and Shaikh Rashid and the other leaders of UAE. I thought of creating a special score for the 45th National Day with Dr Ghanem’s poem. Ya Emaraat reflects these pristine values and underscores the sense of pride and gratitude that the country evokes.”
Elaborating on his inspiration behind the music composition, civil engineer and music director Chakravarty said: “National Day symobolises patritotism and a festive spirit for all - nationals and expatriates. We consider the UAE our second home and I have tried to capture the vibrant, celebratory mood with upbeat music that has distinct Arab touch, a light take on the Indian Bhairavi raaga and international fusion. I have included some strains and instruments which make it particularly global in its appeal.”
Jassim, who sang the Arabic version, said: “The song is in classical Arabic and a pleasure to render. My country is so beautiful and welcomes all with open arms. I take pride in expressing my gratitude for it which provies everything we need. This song shows my deep appreciation.”
Farooq, who will be singing the poem in other languages, said: “The song shows the multilingual, multicultural diversity of my country where we find several such cross cultural experiments taken on by Emaratis to build cultural bridges across cultures.”
Gupta added: All that mattered was that this song should be created, composed and be out there and heard as a tribute from citizens and expatriates on the 45th anniversary of the UAE. Quite simply, we are thankful for our lives here and love the UAE.”
Dr Shihab Ghanem’s Poem
O Emirates!
ياإماراتُأنتحلمجميلُ حققتهسواعدوعقولُ
O Emirates! You are a wonderful Dream that has been turned into a reality by strong arms and brilliant minds
ورعتهبكلحبشيوخٌ ورجالٌلهمكفاحٌجليلُ
It has been nurtured with love by Sheikhs and men who strove with great determination
زايدٌكانقائداًعبقرياً ليسندٌلهوليسمثيلُ
Zayed was a genius as a leader, for whom there were no equals
وحدوياًويعربياًكريماً الندىفوقراحتيهِسيولُ
He was a man of unity, and a generous man on whose palms generosity flowed like a flood
وحواليهراشدٌوشيوخٌ صَدَقواالعزمفاستبانالسبيلُ
And around him were Rashid and other sheiks who were true in purpose and thus the vision was clear
وتلاهمخليفةٌ وبنوهم يكملونالبناءَفهويطولُ
They were followed by Khalifa and their sons who continued the construction, for the building is huge
وتجلىالمُحمَّدانلكلٍ منهمابصمةٌوسيفٌصقيلُ
And the two Muhammads were most distinguished, for each has a fingerprint and a long sword
* * *
ياإماراتُأنتفيالقلبحبٌ مستفيضٌوأنتظلٌظليلُ
O Emirates! You are a big love and you are an umbrageous shade
أربعٌبعدأربعينتقضَّت فينماءوالخيرفيكِجزيلُ
Forty four years have passed in development while bounty in you is rich
خطوةٌبعدخطوةٍفيارتقاءٍ وازدهارٍحتىيتمَّالوصولُ
Step after step upwards in prosperity till you reach your aims
أنتِأنموذجٌلكلِّبلادٍ تَعمرُالأرضَدأبهاالتجميلُ
You are a model for all countries that seek development and beauty
رفعةُالشعبِهمُّهافيأمانٍ دونهالسعيللعلامستحيلُ
Always seeking the ascent of its people in security, without which prosperity is impossible
فيشفافيةٍونبذِفسادٍ هوداءٌفيالعالمينوبيلُ
And with transparency and fighting of corruption which is a disease plaguing the world
