Ailing Artist: Seraiki poet admitted to hospital

MULTAN: Seraiki poet Shakir Shujabadi has been admitted to Nishtar Medical Hospital after Lahore High Courts Multan bench took notice of his deteriorating health. Shujabadi, sometimes called the godfather of Seraiki poetry, has had a career spanning over four decades. On Tuesday night, he was admitted to the hospital on the orders of the court. On Wednesday morning, Nishtar Medical Hospital Medical Superintendent Ashiq Malik took notice of the condition of the room he was put in. It lacked an electricity connection and had no heating. Shujabadi was then moved to Ward 3. Ashiq said he had constituted a panel of five doctors to treat the ailing poet. Shujabadi thanked the Lahore High Court for taking notice of his plight. A candle light vigil was held at Chungi No. 9 with nearly 200 people, including 30 poets, praying for Shujabadi’s health.

A Shujabadi poem

Tekoon yaad hosi mein aakhya hum (You may remember, I told you,)

Dildar mittha (my sweet love)

Tu chhor veysein (you’ll leave)

Wal wal Quran te hath na rakh (Don’t make any promises)

Na qasman cha (Don’t make any vows)

Tu chhor veysein (you’ll leave)

Kujh soch samijh te faisla ker (Don’t make decisions in haste)

Na josh dikha (Don’t be sentimental)

Tu chhor veysein (You’ll leave)

Ker Shakir ku barbaad sajanr (Destroy Shakir, my love)

Bas loag khila (For amusement of the world)

Tu chhor veysein (Because You’ll leave)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2015.