The Book of Bullah: A Selection of Verses

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About the Book The poetry of Bulleh Shah (1680-1758), a great Sufi saint of Punjab, has had enduring appeal over the centuries, inspiring fresh interpretations and garnering new converts to this day. His poems are as full of emotional intensity and passionate fervour, as they are of rebellion and rage against religious dogma. They will force the reader into deep reflections on the purpose of life and the certainty of death, and at the same time inspire spiritual longing and mystical ecstasy.

In this volume, Manjul Bajaj interprets the imagery and symbols, metaphors and motifs of Bulleh Shah's verses for the modern reader and presents a hundred of his poems in a fresh and lucid English translation.

About the Author Manjul Bajaj graduated in Economics followed by masters degrees in Rural Management and Environmental Science. She worked as a development and environment professional for many years before becoming an author. Her debut novel, Come, Before Evening Falls, was shortlisted for The Hindu Literary Prize 2010 and her collection of short stories, Another Man's Wife, was shortlisted for The Hindu Literary Prize 2013. Her novel In Search of Heer was listed for several prizes, including the JCB Prize for Literature in 2020. She is also the author of Elbie's Quest and Nargisa's Adventures, two books for children. She lives in Goa with her husband.

Preface This volume of Bulleh Shah's poetry, rendered in English by me, comes to you from a space of great love and very sincere endeavour. I am no scholar or authority on Punjabi poetry, and this is not meant as a scholarly offering. It is an attempt to share with non-Punjabi-speaking readers (as well as those who are conversant with spoken Punjabi but cannot navigate the literature with ease) a glimpse into the incredible emotional range, profound wisdom and sheer beauty of the work of this mystic poet born in the late seventeenth century. Centuries later, Bulleh Shah continues to be a dominant voice and pervasive influence on the artistic and cultural landscape of Punjab, on either side of the Indo-Pak border, his work inspiring fresh interpretations and garnering new enthusiasts and converts as time passes.