Bulleh Shah

Abdullah, more commonly known as Bulleh, Shah was a Sufi poet, humanist, and philosopher from the Punjab province of modern-day Pakistan. (Lived c. 1680-1757.) His family claimed to be direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. His poetry is similar to those of Baba Farid, Shah Hussain, Sachal Sarmast - [[by pen name]], literally meaning Truthful Mystic, and Shah Sharaf amongst others. The style of poetry used by these individuals is called Kafi. Kafi is said to be derived from the Arabic poetry genre and includes great heroic tales metaphorical for/symbolizing mystical truths and spiritual longings. It is a classical form of Sufi poetry, mostly in Punjabi, Sindhi, and Seraiki languages.

According to Wikipedia, "Bulleh Shah's time was marked with communal strife between Muslims and Sikhs. But in that age Baba Bulleh Shah was a beacon of hope and peace for the citizens of Punjab. While Bulleh Shah was in Pandoke, Muslims killed a young Sikh man who was riding through their village in retaliation for murder of some Muslims by Sikhs. Baba Bulleh Shah denounced the murder of an innocent Sikh and was censured by the mullas and muftis of Pandoke. Bulleh Shah maintained that violence was not the answer to violence."

Shah's writings described problems of life of that time in his motherland, Punjab, alongside searching for God. His advice provided solutions to those problems through the power of his pen. Many, many bands and artists today sing his words, from classical to hard rock to alternative. Two of my favorite include the song Bandya in the 2007 movie Khuda Kay Liye, or In the Name of God [[which was a reeeeeally great movie]] and the famous Bulla Ki Jaana Main Kaun. My favorite version of that song is by the Sikh Indian, Rabbi Shergill.
You can watch its creative music video here.

Bulla Ki Jaana Main Kaun
Bulla, ki jaana main kaun
Bulla, ki jaana main kaun

Na main moman vich maseetan
Na main vich kufar dian reetan
Na main pakan vich paleetan

Na main andar bed kitaban
Na main rehnda bhaang sharaban
Na main rehnda mast kharaban

Na main shadi na ghamnaki
Na main vich paleetan pakeen
Na main aaabi na main khaki

Na main aatish na paun
Bulla ki jaana main kaun

Na main arabi na lahori
Na main hindi shehar nagaori
Na hindu na turk pashauri

Na main bhet mazhab de paya
Na main aadam hawwa jaya
Na koi apna naam dharaya

Avval-aakhar aap nu jana
Na koi dooja hor pacchana
Maithon na koi har syana

Bulle shauh Kharha hai kaun
Bulla ki jaana main kaun


Translation -

Says Bulla,
who knows who I am!
I am not in the mosque of the believer,
Nor in false rites.
I am not in the pure or the impure.
Neither Moses nor Pharaoh.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not in the Vedas or holy books,
Not in drug or wine.
Not in the drunkards wasted intoxication,
Not in wakefulness or sleep.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not in sorrow nor in joy,
Neither in clean nor unclean.
I am not water, I am not earth,
I am not fire, I am not air.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not from Arabia or Lahore,
Nor from India or Nagaur.
Neither a hindu or muslim from Peshawar,
Nor do I live in Nadaun.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!
I cannot be unearthed in the mysteries of religion.

I was not born of Adam and Eve.
I am not the name I assume.
I am not in stillness, not in movement.
Finally, I only know myself.
I cannot know any other.
Who could be wiser than I?
Bulla asks, who then, stands here?
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

--Aysha