Bulleh Shah The Love-intoxicated Iconoclast

by J.R. Puri, T.R. Shangari

Bulleh Shah, the 18th century mystic poet from the Punjab, was the most popular Sufi saint of his times. In fact, some eminent writers have called him "the greatest Sufi poet of the Punjab." His admirers have even compared his writings and philosophy to those of Rumi. At present he is held in equally great esteem in Northern India and Pakistan.

Bulleh Shah's poems are suffused with love for God and his Master or "Murshid". The other dominant note in his poetry is on very strong denunciation of empty rituals and external observances of religion.

He does not believe in saying something in roundabout ways. Whatever he has to convey, he says it by hitting the nail on the head. His poems are marked, not only by plain speaking, but also by bluntness. This produces a poignancy of feeling together with a depth of insight, which puts all artifice to shame. His poetry rises spontaneouly from the depths of his heart, even as a fountain spouts from the depths of the earth. It has a kind of abandon which produces an intoxicating effect on the reader. No wonder it had always been a favorite choice for the groups of singers called "qawwals".

498 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[V.B. Eudaimonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding Bulleh shah requires an in-depth understanding of the language and emotions. One of my favorite poets.

[Jehanzeb Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bulleh Shah's love and passion reaches out to you across the centuries through beautiful and mystical poetry contained in this gem of a book. A must read for all the devotees of Baba Bulleh. "You studied all the books there are, and became a scholar. And yet you have not discovered your own true self."

[Pakke Yaar]

hii

[Ramandeep]

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