Book Review - Hindustan Times - New Delhi, India
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Seeking the Beloved
Author: Shah Abdul Latif
Publisher: Katha
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 284
ISBN: 81-89020-54-4
Price: Rs 295
Shah Abdul Latif of Bhitai was a celebrated sixteenth-century Sufi poet who was aptly called the people's poet, revered alike by the elite and the common folk. Known as one of the greatest Sufi works in history, his Shah Jo Risalo is a prayer, a cry for the beloved. Written more than 250 years ago, Latif's poetry is deeply rooted in the human experience of searching for the self - a self that is one with the nirakaar, the omnipresent, centred within yet diffuse as attar. Katha proudly presents the first ever English translation of the Risalo in India.
Latif's unique treatment and allegorical interpretations of common folk tales, like Sasui-Punhoon, are truly relevant in today's atmosphere of religious strife. The Sufis, as they were known, were great integrators and Latif's poetry draws freely on both Islamic and Vedantic traditions.
Often chanted in spiritual séances, Latif's poems have an immediate emotional appeal. They are about love for humanity and depict the seeker's direct relationship with the Supreme instead of a particular religious group looking for scriptural instructions and injunctions.
Here are some excerpts:
1. without beginning
without end
all knowing monarch
of the universe
omnipotent and benevolent
the one and only
lord
utter his name
sing his praises
the ever compassionate
creator of the cosmos
2. why search everywhere?
nearer than your breath
is he
just remove the screen
between you and him
3. you long for him
he longs for you
to remember
and be remembered
is the secret
with honeyed words
dagger in hand
he comes to you
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
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Wednesday, November 01, 2006
The magic of Sufi poetry
Book Review - Hindustan Times - New Delhi, India
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Seeking the Beloved
Author: Shah Abdul Latif
Publisher: Katha
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 284
ISBN: 81-89020-54-4
Price: Rs 295
Shah Abdul Latif of Bhitai was a celebrated sixteenth-century Sufi poet who was aptly called the people's poet, revered alike by the elite and the common folk. Known as one of the greatest Sufi works in history, his Shah Jo Risalo is a prayer, a cry for the beloved. Written more than 250 years ago, Latif's poetry is deeply rooted in the human experience of searching for the self - a self that is one with the nirakaar, the omnipresent, centred within yet diffuse as attar. Katha proudly presents the first ever English translation of the Risalo in India.
Latif's unique treatment and allegorical interpretations of common folk tales, like Sasui-Punhoon, are truly relevant in today's atmosphere of religious strife. The Sufis, as they were known, were great integrators and Latif's poetry draws freely on both Islamic and Vedantic traditions.
Often chanted in spiritual séances, Latif's poems have an immediate emotional appeal. They are about love for humanity and depict the seeker's direct relationship with the Supreme instead of a particular religious group looking for scriptural instructions and injunctions.
Here are some excerpts:
1. without beginning
without end
all knowing monarch
of the universe
omnipotent and benevolent
the one and only
lord
utter his name
sing his praises
the ever compassionate
creator of the cosmos
2. why search everywhere?
nearer than your breath
is he
just remove the screen
between you and him
3. you long for him
he longs for you
to remember
and be remembered
is the secret
with honeyed words
dagger in hand
he comes to you
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Seeking the Beloved
Author: Shah Abdul Latif
Publisher: Katha
Edition: Hardcover
Pages: 284
ISBN: 81-89020-54-4
Price: Rs 295
Shah Abdul Latif of Bhitai was a celebrated sixteenth-century Sufi poet who was aptly called the people's poet, revered alike by the elite and the common folk. Known as one of the greatest Sufi works in history, his Shah Jo Risalo is a prayer, a cry for the beloved. Written more than 250 years ago, Latif's poetry is deeply rooted in the human experience of searching for the self - a self that is one with the nirakaar, the omnipresent, centred within yet diffuse as attar. Katha proudly presents the first ever English translation of the Risalo in India.
Latif's unique treatment and allegorical interpretations of common folk tales, like Sasui-Punhoon, are truly relevant in today's atmosphere of religious strife. The Sufis, as they were known, were great integrators and Latif's poetry draws freely on both Islamic and Vedantic traditions.
Often chanted in spiritual séances, Latif's poems have an immediate emotional appeal. They are about love for humanity and depict the seeker's direct relationship with the Supreme instead of a particular religious group looking for scriptural instructions and injunctions.
Here are some excerpts:
1. without beginning
without end
all knowing monarch
of the universe
omnipotent and benevolent
the one and only
lord
utter his name
sing his praises
the ever compassionate
creator of the cosmos
2. why search everywhere?
nearer than your breath
is he
just remove the screen
between you and him
3. you long for him
he longs for you
to remember
and be remembered
is the secret
with honeyed words
dagger in hand
he comes to you
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