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Shah Jo Risalo
Bhitai Shah Jo Risalo (Sindhi: شاھ جو رسالو) is the name of the compiled verses of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. Many scholars and linguists have published Shah Jo Risalo with their own compilations, hence its many editions are available. No single edition is believed to be the authentic, but the oldest manuscript of Shah Jo Risalo is believed to contain all the authentic verses of Bhitai.
It is believed that Shah's verses were compiled in his life, but he did not like that and threw the only manuscript of his verses into a pond. Later, his devotees demanded him to write some verses, hence he told them many verses which were noted in writing. But most of his work was never written, only memorized by people, and became popular in the folk culture of Sindh.
The traditional compilations of Shah Jo Risalo include 30 Surs (chapters) which were compiled by the renowned researchers. The oldest publications of Shah Jo Risalo contained some 36 Surs, but later most of the linguists discarded 6 Surs, as their language and content did not match with the Shah's style. Recently, Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch, the most renowned linguist of Sindhi language has compiled and printed a new edition after 32 years of research in folk culture, language and history of Sindhi language.
It is believed that Shah's verses were compiled in his life, but he did not like that and threw the only manuscript of his verses into a pond. Later, his devotees demanded him to write some verses, hence he told them many verses which were noted in writing. But most of his work was never written, only memorized by people, and became popular in the folk culture of Sindh.
The traditional compilations of Shah Jo Risalo include 30 Surs (chapters) which were compiled by the renowned researchers. The oldest publications of Shah Jo Risalo contained some 36 Surs, but later most of the linguists discarded 6 Surs, as their language and content did not match with the Shah's style. Recently, Dr. Nabi Bakhsh Baloch, the most renowned linguist of Sindhi language has compiled and printed a new edition after 32 years of research in folk culture, language and history of Sindhi language.
- GenresPoetrySpirituality
Hardcover
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 30, 2009
This book, is the greatest of the all i have ever read after Quran-e-Kareem.
Shah jo risalo covers almost every aspect of life.
I have no syllables to express how satisfied i got with the life after reading this book.
Shah jo risalo covers almost every aspect of life.
I have no syllables to express how satisfied i got with the life after reading this book.
April 21, 2019
Wonderful, re-vitalising ; replete with poems of unending comittment and love!
It's really hard to find Shah Latif Bhittai's match in the world of poetry.
Many research scholars rank him highest among the poets of all ages.
Worth reading.
English translations by Abdul Ghafoor Alasti and Allama I. I Qazi are available in the market.
It's really hard to find Shah Latif Bhittai's match in the world of poetry.
Many research scholars rank him highest among the poets of all ages.
Worth reading.
English translations by Abdul Ghafoor Alasti and Allama I. I Qazi are available in the market.
September 4, 2013
it is second to none. excellent interpretation of ideas in beautiful poems.
October 5, 2020
Review of Sindhi Folklore :
Shah Jo Risalo (Shah's Poetry) - Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai --
The Seven Heroines/Queens of Sindh
Translated in seven English stories by Mohan Gehani
Translated from Poetic Verses (Sindhi, 1700s) to seven short story chapters (English) about the Heroines, by Mohan Gehani - revered Sindhi scholar & winner of 2011 Sindhi Sahitya Academy Award; partition survivor from Sindh, now in Mumbai. His skill & language comprehension (Sindhi) is evident, hence I will not critique the slight English grammatical errors & sentencing issues. I only have an issue with some content from the tales.
The Seven Heroines of Sindh are revered women celebrated for their inspiring qualities. These romantic-tragic stories are from the era of kings, beauty & love. But they are also from the era of patriarchy, polygamy, gender inequality & romanticization of death, quite evident in the writing. I cannot blame Shah Latif for portraying the reality and mindset of the time.
I liked -
◾Portrayal of protagonists' qualities like bravery, loyalty & integrity
◾Denouncing ego & praising humility
◾Acceptance of girl child
◾Celebration of love; marital or otherwise
I did not like -
◾Obsession for beauty of protagonists
◾Content like - 'That woman who totally surrenders and pleads with her beloved is able to win his love. If she acts smart she has to face the ignominy of being discarded.'
◾No repercussions for negative actions of certain men, not even a mention. And even in those situations, women have to 'prove themselves'
I have always wanted to read Sindhi history & folklore. It is enjoyable like all popular folklores, so recommended for curiosity's sake, but I would request modern readers not to idolize it much. Progressiveness is relative with times. Practically, its been 300 years! So that's okay :)
3.3/5 🌟
Shah Jo Risalo (Shah's Poetry) - Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai --
The Seven Heroines/Queens of Sindh
Translated in seven English stories by Mohan Gehani
Translated from Poetic Verses (Sindhi, 1700s) to seven short story chapters (English) about the Heroines, by Mohan Gehani - revered Sindhi scholar & winner of 2011 Sindhi Sahitya Academy Award; partition survivor from Sindh, now in Mumbai. His skill & language comprehension (Sindhi) is evident, hence I will not critique the slight English grammatical errors & sentencing issues. I only have an issue with some content from the tales.
The Seven Heroines of Sindh are revered women celebrated for their inspiring qualities. These romantic-tragic stories are from the era of kings, beauty & love. But they are also from the era of patriarchy, polygamy, gender inequality & romanticization of death, quite evident in the writing. I cannot blame Shah Latif for portraying the reality and mindset of the time.
I liked -
◾Portrayal of protagonists' qualities like bravery, loyalty & integrity
◾Denouncing ego & praising humility
◾Acceptance of girl child
◾Celebration of love; marital or otherwise
I did not like -
◾Obsession for beauty of protagonists
◾Content like - 'That woman who totally surrenders and pleads with her beloved is able to win his love. If she acts smart she has to face the ignominy of being discarded.'
◾No repercussions for negative actions of certain men, not even a mention. And even in those situations, women have to 'prove themselves'
I have always wanted to read Sindhi history & folklore. It is enjoyable like all popular folklores, so recommended for curiosity's sake, but I would request modern readers not to idolize it much. Progressiveness is relative with times. Practically, its been 300 years! So that's okay :)
3.3/5 🌟
August 16, 2020
Shah Bhittai's core message throughout his book is to "Love God as Man and love Man as God." I feel proud that I was born in such holy land (Sindh) of the great Sufi-Yogi Saint Shah Bhittai
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August 24, 2021I want to read this book.
June 23, 2012
Excellent Book of the Greatest Sufi poet
March 18, 2014
no words it is an awesome book..
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews