This is a song about crossing to a different shore and how the Boatman is the guiding spirit who ferries people across the river. It talks about how the boatman is the only beacon of light amidst the swirling darkness of the river. And about how his presence gives migrants a sense of hope & calm.

This is a recurring theme in Nitin’s set because he was brought up in different countries and considers his parents to have migrated similarly; wherein they were taken across the river to start afresh in a new land.

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Here's the lyrics of this song: 

Tham lo patvaar tanik …. , Meri nav samble jaye

Tum hoke vanhar , toh tufan palat jaye

Band lo nazar mein yun,

Ke zindagi savar jaye

In balao se mein keh doon,

Dur se he laut jaye

Tham lo patvaar tanik …. , Meri nav samble jaye

Tum hoke vanhar , toh tufan palat jaye

Band lo nazar mein yun,

Ke zindagi savar jaye

In balao se mein keh doon,

Dur se he laut jaye

Maaji koi geet sunakar

Mujh ko meethi neend sula do

Aur bor hone se pehle

Mere saahil pass bula do.

Maaji koi geet sunakar

Mujh ko meethi neend sula do

Aur bor hone se pehle

Mere saahil pass bula do.

Tham lo patvaar tanik …. , Meri nav samble jaye

Tum hoke vanhar , toh tufan palat jaye

Band lo nazar mein yun,

Ke zindagi savar jaye

In balao se mein keh doon,

Dur se he laut jaye

Tham lo patvaar tanik …. , Meri nav samble jaye

Tum hoke vanhar , toh tufan palat jaye

Band lo nazar mein yun,

Ke zindagi savar jaye

In balao se mein keh doon,

Dur se he laut jaye

Maaji koi geet sunakar

Mujh ko meethi neend sula do

Aur bor hone se pehle

Mere saahil pass bula do.

Maaji koi geet sunakar

Mujh ko meethi neend sula do

Aur bor hone se pehle

Mere saahil pass bula do.

Maaji koi geet sunakar

Mere saahil pass bula do.

Tham lo patvaar tanik …. , Meri nav samble jaye

Tum hoke vanhar , toh tufan palat jaye

Band lo nazar mein yun,

Ke zindagi savar jaye

In balao se mein keh doon,

Dur se he laut jaye

Maaji koi geet sunakar

Mujh ko meethi neend sula do

Aur bor hone se pehle

Mere saahil pass bula do. (4)

CREDITS:

Composer & Producer: Nitin Sawhney

Lyrics: Saroj Sawhney

Language: Hindi

Vocals: Papon, Samidha Joglekar, Ashwin Srinivasan

Guitar: Nitin Sawhney

Tabla: Vikaash Sankadecha

Drums: Jivraj Singh

Bass: Mohini Dey

Recorded by: Steve Fitzmaurice, Ashish Manchanda (Flying Carpet Productions, Mumbai), assisted by Thorsten Muller

Mixed by Steve Fitzmaurice at the Pierce Rooms, London

Mastered by Bunt Stafford Clark at the Pierce Rooms, London.

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