KASUR: Despite the lapse of over two and a half centuries since his demise, Bulleh Shah is still alive through his spiritual and poetic works that are for all ages and places.

His poetry carries the message of love and brotherhood and shuns hatred, intolerance, sectarianism and religious bigotry.

These views were expressed by the scholars, poets and writers on the occasion of the 28th Bulleh Shah conference here on Tuesday.

Prominent among the speakers were Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (Pilac) director Dr Sughra Sadaf, World Punjabi Conference chairman Muzafar Iqbal Butt, Abbas Soz, Khadim Ali, Sharif Anjum, Tajamal Kaleem, Noreen Shakir, Kausar Ijaz, and Naveed Yad.

Speaking on the occasion, they said Bulleh Shah’s poetry had brought human beings close just like poetry of other Sufi poets that inculcated humanity in man. They said the poetic ventures that carried the element of universality led its readers to purity of soul.

The scholars presented their papers and writings, focusing various facets of the life and poetry of Bulleh Shah. Some of the elements of the Punjabi poet’s works that were focused included solutions to the problems of humanity, including restlessness, intolerance, political upheavals and socioeconomic issues.

The poets that had come from various parts of Punjab also paid tributes to Bulleh Shah by presenting his Kafis. They also read out their own poetry.

On the other hand, the 261st Urs of Bulleh Shah concluded on Tuesday. A large number of people from different parts of the country visited the shrine of mystic poet and paid him tributes.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2018