Can we sing raga music in the English language? First I thought like most people—na. Why even try? Yet I have tried a few times with a few English words, often in Bilawal that lends itself easily, but have not lingered and persisted. It simply is the lack of rounded vowels that most Indian languages enjoy I felt. Yet working with Chokhamela over the past few weeks made me think of how to starve language down, pare it down to the bones. Then this three step trifected rhythm emerges. And then the ragas simply embraced the words I wrapped them in. The ragas did not ask: what's English doing here? Raga is nirgun—and it can assume all gun, vigun, sagun and nigun: gun intended.
Such is such
It’s not much
But too much
Such as such
Such much such
So much such
Insomuch
Inasmuch
Just one touch
Just once touch
Touch touch touch
Such is touch
Touch is such
Touch me much
If Chokhi says Chokhamela sang this in English, would it be much too much of a touch? The touching is done. This is not for negotiation. Nor is it a negotiation. Just a place beyond negation and affirmation. Such is touch.
Written 10 March, sung on 11 March 2025