Inama Nushif

We're an impulsive shopper, we won't deny it. So at times when we hear something we like, our ears prick up and we go, "Gotta have that."

Happened when we heard the 'Kyrie' from the Death Note anime. Hunted high and low for Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children OST just for the 'The Promised Land' track (haven't heard of the One-Winged Angel then). Happened with Gladiator (although we got the OST as a present from sis, we remember). Grabbed War Of The Worlds CDs because we liked the in-game music.

But nothing beats this so far. Our number one favvie. The 'Inama Nushif' from Frank Herbert's Children of Dune miniseries.

Trailer for the Television Critics Association

Westwood's Dune did a lot in terms of exposing the gamers of the nineties to Frank Herbert's work. We loved the Dune culture that David Lynch created - leather-clad fremen, black aba-robed Bene Gesserit, the Guild Steersmen in what looks like a trash bag, not to mention Baron Harkonnen installing heartplugs in everyone. Yeah, the show sucked a fair bit but it was dripping in flavour. We were definitely glad that Westwood followed the same style in the cutscenes when they made the later Dune games.

Trailer: Eternity

Then came Frank Herbert's Dune. Longer, fleshed out the show much better. But we complained as hell about a lot of other things, mostly regarding their attire. Shall not go there. That miniseries tried to be a fashion show. We did like Ian McNiece's portrayal of the Baron Harkonnen, though.

Trailer: Sins Of The Mother

Anyways - fast forward to 2002, in Glasgow. We think we saw it in an ad banner, that Children of Dune was coming soon. And it was pretty.

Jessica Brooks as Ghanima was pretty.

James McAvoy as Leto was pretty. Prettier than Mr Tumnus.

Daniela Amavia as Alia was very very pretty.

But what kept us enthralled wasn't the prettiness (nor the fashion show that still prevailed). It was the song. And we weren't the only victim, as many others were asking about it as well. Azam Ali and Brian Tyler had us when they used the Inama Nushif in the trailers. In fact, we remembered the week we got back from Glasgow, we hogged Astro because we found out Children of Dune was showing!

Well, gotta say we were thankful we had a debit card and access to Play.com when in UK - we ended up ordering the soundtrack online (one of our few online purchases!). The song fits many purposes: caraoke, zen and cave time, to reminding us of Glasgow. And it can never be overkilled.

The rest of the album turned out to be rather good too, head to Brain Tyler's site for a sampler. Initially we had the lyrics from The Lansdraad, but turns out that that's more of a phonetic guide. And it's another counterpointing song! Okay, enough.

Inama Nushif

Inama nushif (She is eternal)
Al ­asir hiy ayish (No malice can touch)

Lia-anni (Singular and ageless)
Zaratha zarati (Perpetually bound)

Hatt al-hudad (Through the tempest)
Al-maahn al-baiid (be it deluge or sand)
Ay-yah idare (A singular voice)
Adamm malum (speaks through the torrent)

Hatt al-hudad (Through the tempest)
Al-maahn al-baiid (be it deluge or sand)
Ay-yah idare (A singular voice)
Adamm malum (speaks through the torrent)

Inama nishuf al a sadarr (Forever her voice sings)
Eann zaratha zarati (through the ages eternally bound)

Kali bakka a tishuf ahatt (Sacrifice is her gift)
Al hudad alman dali (one that cannot be equaled)

Inama nishuf al a sadarr (Forever her voice sings)
Eann zaratha zarati (through the ages eternally bound)

Kali bakka a tishuf ahatt (Sacrifice is her gift)
Al hudad alman dali alia (that Alia will one day equal)

Inama nushif (She is eternal)
Al ­asir hiy ayish (No malice can touch)

Lia-anni (Singular and ageless)
Zaratha zarati (Perpetually bound)