Baba Bulle Shah – revolutionary voice of Punjab, Punjabi and Panjabiat

Chandigarh February 24: Baba Bulle Shah is unanimously acknowledged as the revolutionary voice of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat, says Dr. Ali Abbas, Coordinator of the Department of Urdu, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
In his opening remarks at the webinar organized by the department of Urdu here today, Dr. Ali Abbas said that the great Sufi Saint and a Poet in Baba Bulle Shah contributed handsomely to bridge the gulf between Hindus and Muslims through his melodious poetical compositions.  “He enriched the glorious legacy of Baba Farid,  Baba Nanak, Shah Hussain and many other with his majestic poetry decorated with rhyme and rhythm.  He was a unique and fearless opinion builder who motivated Punjabis to stand up for the cause of freedom of speech and expression”, he added.
Dr. Ali Abbas further said that Baba Bulle Shah was a strong votary of composite Punjab culture.  He was blessed with the courage of conviction and fearlessly championed the cause of love and compassion and also of mutual faith and cooperation.
In his key note address Mr. Shamim Tariq from Mumbai touched at length covering all the aspects of Bulle Shah poetry.  “Firstly, it reflects the political scenario and political conditions during the life time of the great Sufi Poet and secondly, how he became the voice of a common man when he confronted religious bigotry and fanaticism.”
Mr. Shamim Tariq further said that Baba Bulle Shah like Kabir, Namdev, Tulsi Das, Shah Hussain, Rehman Baba and Waris Shah was also a product of his age and folk traditions and like others he too, propagated the message of love, mutual faith and co-existence while denouncing the politics of hatred, narrow parochialism, repression and coercion.
He stressed that mankind should always be grateful to God for the benedictions extended to all living beings for their mutual co-existence.
Dr. Zulaqar Ali presented the vote of thanks.