Peelu: the father of Punjabi literature

Tomb of poet built after locating grave with help of scholars

NOORPUR THAL: The tomb of the great Punjabi poet Peelu, who was born in the 16th century, has been built after the discovery of his grave.

The tomb of the writer of the famous romantic story Mirza Sahiban is in Peelu Wains, a town in Noorpur Thal. The town is also well known for being the hometown of a number of judges.

Hazrat Peelu was a famous Punjabi poet who lived from 1580 to 1675. His romance story Mirza Sahiban is considered as one of the best creations of Punjabi literature.

In the tale, he described the political, social, and economic conditions of the time in poetic language. The Peelu da Toba near the town is becoming famous as the poet's dilapidated was discovered there with the help of local people. Former assistant commissioner of Nooorpur Thal, Chaudhry Muhammad Jaffer Gujjar, took special interest is building the tomb. Many inhabitants of the area around Peelu da Toba have memorised Peelu's poetry and quote his couplets like proverbs.

Mirza Sahiban, besides highlighting the culture of Thal, also demonstrates the sweetness of the Thalouchi language. ChaudhryJaffer Gujjar told The Express Tribune that after his posting in Noorpur Thal as assistant commissioner, Muhammad Hayat, a professor from Joharabad, carried out research on local history and shared with him all the details about Peelu's grave.

They started working on the topic and also collected information about the poet from some people who had gone to India after the partition of the subcontinent.

Chaudhry Jaffer said the poet is not only a source of fame for the region but also one of the most prominent figures of Punjabi literature.

He said it was an honour for him to build and preserve Peelu's tomb, which had been done successfully.

The identification of the grave and the construction of the tomb also involved the efforts of Malik Zakaullah Jasra, a local educator from Peelu Wains who accompanied the assistant commissioner in all stages till the completion of the construction of the tomb.

Hameedullah Jasra, Headmaster of Special Education in Noorpur Thal, said Hazrat Peelu was also called the Adam of Punjabi literature.

“His poetry is invaluable,” he said. He highlighted the sweetness of the Thalouchi language in all his poetry.

Personalities from all over Punjab associated with Urdu literature have also appreciated the initiative of preserving literary heritage.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2020.