Prominent Mystic Poets of Punjab

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Punjab has been the cradle of great civilization where generations of people have lived together in harmony and peace, for centuries together. It has had great culture, which was kept alive by the great gurus, rishis, munis, saint and sages. The Sufi saints and sages. The Sufi saints of Punjab have played a pivotal role in spreading the universal message of brother hood of man and fatherhood of God. They were the leading advocates of emotional integration. One finds a synthesis of Islamic culture, Hindu philosophy and the Sikh thought in the utterances of the mystic poets of Punjab who always remained above the sectional, provincial and communal feelings.

Keeping the mind the laudable role, played by the Sufi saints, I decided to project their valuable contribution towards the betterment of human society. In fact I was inspired to pen down achievements of these noble sons of Punjab, who used their mother tongue as a vehicle of enthusiasm for human beings in striving for the welfare of the people. The Sikh Gurus gave the same message of love and affection. Their message of unity and integration has great relevance even today.

It is an endeavour to introduce to the English knowing reader, the life and works of some of the prominent Sufi saints of Punjab along with the English rendering of their immortal poetry. The original in Punjabi has been written in Gurmukhi and Devnagari script, along with its English rendering for the benefit of the English knowing readers. The poets included in the anthology are Sheikh Farid, Shah Hussain, Ali Hider and Khwaja Ghulam Farid. These poets are prominent enough and the selected pieces of poetry are considered to be the finest gems of Sufi poetry, available in Punjabi. I take pleasure in presenting them to my readers.

My sincere thanks are also due to Prof. G.S. Randhir, who has been of great help in selecting and rendering some of the poems in English.

LOCHAN SINGH BUXI