Ruminations from Kasur

Published June 23, 2011
The central courtyard outside the shrine of the great Sufi poet Bulleh Shah (1680–1758) in Kasur, Punjab. A lot of what is known about Bulleh Shah comes from legends. Historians still debate the precise date and place of his birth, but it is believed that he was born around 1680, in the village of Uch, in Bahawalpur. It is also believed that he received his early schooling in Pandoke, a village in Gujranwala, before he moved 50 miles southwest to Kasur for his higher education.
The central courtyard outside the shrine of the great Sufi poet Bulleh Shah (1680–1758) in Kasur, Punjab. A lot of what is known about Bulleh Shah comes from legends. Historians still debate the precise date and place of his birth, but it is believed that he was born around 1680, in the village of Uch, in Bahawalpur. It is also believed that he received his early schooling in Pandoke, a village in Gujranwala, before he moved 50 miles southwest to Kasur for his higher education.

Remembering the mystic whose message transcended caste, religion and power in seventeenth century Punjab. Born in 1680 and named Abdullah Shah in a Syed family, he found a Murshid (spiritual master) in Shah Inayat, a man from a lower caste.

 

Na Raindee Hai, a Kalam by Bulleh Shah.

The world is a slippery place;     Tread carefully for ‘tis dark;

Go inside see who’s there;    Why do the people search outside;

What’s on the tongue must be said;     Bullah, the beloved is not separate from us;

Besides the beloved there is naught;   But the discerning eye is missing;

Therefore life endures separation;    What’s on the tongue must be said;

Learning through the rote of books you call yourself a scholar;

Grasping the sword in your hand you call yourself a warrior;

Having visited Mecca and Medina you call yourself a pilgrim;

Bullah, what have you accomplished if you have not remained true to your friend!

 

Photographs taken by Hoshyaar contributor Bushra Shehzad and packaged by Hosh media, a volunteer-based organization that aims to bring youth voices on to the mainstream media.

 

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