June 23, 05

International Waris Shah Conference

 Peace through Sufi poets’ work, say Indian delegates

* Says political moves cannot derail Indo-Pak peace process, Indian students doing research on Shah’s works, life

By Aayan Ali

LAHORE: The Indo-Pak ties should be promoted through the works and messages of Sufi writers and poets like Waris Shah and Bullay Shah, Indian delegates told Daily Times after crossing the Wagah border.

The Indian scholars, writers and educationists reached Lahore on Friday to participate in the first ever Waris Shah International Conference arranged by World Punjabi Congress (WPC).

Punjab Communication and Works Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin inaugurated the three-day conference by reading Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s message at Alhamara Hall.

The CM said Waris Shah gave a message of universal peace and tolerance and elimination of injustice and we should draw inspiration from his teachings.

Elahi said that Punjab’s literature and culture was incomplete without Syed Waris Shah and his Heer Waris Shah is a beautiful depiction of Punjab’s culture. He said poetry of Sufi-poets like Bullay Shah, Ghulam Farid, Shah Hussain, Waris Shah and Sultan Bahu was a blend of folk wisdom and social issues.

The CM said Punjab government had set up Punjab Institute of Language, Arts and Culture to promote Punjabi language and culture. He said a Punjabi dictionary was being compiled and a Punjabi magazine would be launched soon as well. He said that a separate building would be constructed at Punjab Institute of Arts and Language, which would include a library, research centre and other facilities. The CM appreciated the World Punjabi Conference for promoting Punjabi language and culture.

The three-day conference is scheduled to commemorate and discuss the work of Waris Shah. Various topics including the symbolism of Heer Ranjha, Waris Shah’s biography, and his sociological philosophy will be discussed at the conference, the objective of which is to promote peace and tolerance between India and Pakistan by highlighting the Sufi-poet’s work.

Twelve Indians arrived to attend the conference and a few others are expected today (Saturday), conference coordination secretary Azaz Aslam told Daily Times. WPC Chairman Fakhar Zaman received the Indians. Punjab University Chandigarh Prof Dr Deepak Manmohan Singh said Waris Shah was the greatest poet of his time and no one could claim that he only belonged to Pakistan as he was admired worldwide.

Dr SS Noor, WPC Indian Chapter chairman and Punjabi professor at Delhi University, said Waris Shah’s poetry was an encyclopedia of language. He said that the poetic level of Waris Shah was no less than that of Shakespeare. “People like Waris Shah are born after ages. His poetry unites cultural gaps between people and it is our duty to tell the new generations about the cultural heroes,” he said.

Dr Noor said that the peace pact between the two nations had become strong and no political move could disrupt it. He also said that Waris Shah’s poetry was being taught at six Indian universities.

Parul Kacharina, an actress and a theatre play writer, said that she was impressed by Waris Shah’s poetry and had staged the Heer Ranjha play. “The only difference is that the billboards here are in Urdu and are in Hindi in India. I feel very good to be a part of this conference, frankly it feels like home”, she said.

Punjabi songwriter Inderjeet Singh said frequent conferences like these should be passed on to the next generations. Bakhshish Singh, Punjab University Patiala registrar, Dr Rupinder Paul and Dr Vanita said Waris Shah was popular with young people and many Indian students were researching his work and life. They said that writers and educationists were playing a major role in promoting peace. They added that the poetry of Waris Shah was like reciting verses of the Quran.

Different speakers read the messages of former Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto, former Indian Premier Inder Kumar Gujral and Mahesh Bhatt, Indian film producer and writer. The delegates will also visit Waris Shah’s tomb in Jandiala Sher Khan in Shiekhupura. Waris Shah’s anniversary is also being celebrated from today.

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