Bhittai and Sindh

Land and people have a highly revered relationship for valid reasons: the former houses and nourish the latter, while the latter attaches to the former with the fine thread of identity. Though demographic and geographic changes affect this bond, some connections transcend these shifts only to endure through time and ultimately rest in the realms of eternal existence. Meanwhile, some people make history, some mend it, and some rewrite it altogether. However, there are a few to whom history owes a lasting debt for gracing its annals with their presence. The 18^th century poet, philosopher and mystical figure, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, enjoys an enduring connection with Sindh, Pakistan’s southeastern province. Similarly, the people of Sindh, both within and beyond its borders, share a profound bond with Bhittai and the land.

Through his poetic expressions, Bhittai has immortalised the characters and landscapes of Sindh, only to be immortalised in kind by its people. Bhittai’s words and the essence of the province are forever intertwined, their voices resonating through the corridors of time. The unity of Bhittai and Sindh can aptly be symbolised as the merging energy of two waves crashing against the shore. The waves, crashing and retreating in a rhythmic dance, mirror the ebb and flow of Bhittai’s poetry, which captures the essence of Sindh’s diverse landscapes, its people’s emotions and their profound connection to their land.

Bhittai’s towering legacy stands etched into the literary and cultural landscape of Sindh. His poetry, imbibed with exalted Islamic teachings, rich historical traditions, and inspired by the everyday lives of its people, has become an inseparable part of Sindh’s identity for many reasons.

First, Bhittai’s poetic expression is firmly grounded in Islamic mysticism and Sufi traditions. Central to Bhittai’s philosophy is the concept of fana, a term denoting the ‘annihilation’ of the ego. He perceived the ego as a veil obstructing our connection to the divine. Another fundamental aspect of Bhittai’s poetry is the concept of wahdat al-wujud or the ‘unity of being’. It posits that every creation, from the smallest atom to the vast cosmos, is interconnected and a manifestation of the divine essence. Ishq-e-haqiqi, or divine love, is yet another notion that transcends material desires and attachments, guiding individuals towards a transformative state of spiritual consciousness and connectivity to the divine.

Second, the allegorical and metaphorical expression in Bhittai’s poetry weaves together spiritual truths, philosophical insights and tales from local folklore. Though there are countless metaphorical expressions, the ones contained in the seven queens of Sindh show deep and meaningful depictions of social values and trends. The characters of the seven queens — Sassui, Marvi, Noori, Moomal, Suhni, Lilan and Sorath — reflect the symbolic expressions of positive human qualities, including but not limited to loyalty, patriotism, integrity and strength. Marvi, for eg, symbolises resistance, and Sassui, struggle and endurance.

Third, Bhittai’s subject has been the poor. As a sage, he amplifies the voices of the voiceless and the underprivileged sections of society. Through his poetry, he vividly portrays the lives of artisans, labourers and the disadvantaged class. From the working class of fisherman to the manual labour of cloth weavers, Bhittai held the commoner class in high esteem and made them central to his poetry and philosophy.

Fourth, Bhittai poetry mirrors nature as a reflection of and the road to the divine. His view and depiction of nature as a source of divinity, wisdom, beauty and spiritual awakening is uniquely thought-provoking. The imagery drawn from the diverse landscape of Sindh, including the mighty Indus River, ponds, clouds, thunders, grasses, birds and insects manifests his utmost insight into and regard for nature.

Last but not least, far from their cultural specificity, Bhittai’s poems resonate with universal themes of love, longing, spirituality and the human condition. Through his poetry, he illuminates the profound teachings of Islam, guiding individuals toward a life characterised by introspection, enduring love, perpetual peace and harmonious coexistence.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2023.

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