Waris Shah (Punjabi: وارث شاہ, ਵਾਰਿਸ ਸ਼ਾਹ) was a Punjabi Muslim poet, born in what is now Pakistani Punjab, living from 1722 – 1798. He is best-known for his seminal work Heer Ranjha, based on the traditional folk tale of Heer and her lover Ranjha. Heer is considered one of the quintessential works of classical Punjabi literature. The story of Heer was also put to paper by several other writers, including Damodar Das, Mukbal, and Ahmed Gujjar, but Waris Shah's version is by far the most popular today. Shah who was born in Jandiala Sher Khan is popular in India and Pakistan, especially in the Punjab region.
Waris Shah was born into a reputed Syed family, the descendant of Islamic prophet Muhammad. He was born in the village of Jandiala Sher Khan, Sheikhupura District, Punjab in or around 1722. His father's name was Gulshar Shah. Waris Shah acknowledged himself as a disciple of Pir Makhdum of Kasur. Waris Shah's parents are said to have died when he was in his early years and he probably received his education at the shrine of his preceptor. After completing his education in Kasur, he shifted his residence to Malka Hans, a village twelve kilometers north of Pakpattan. Here he resided in a small room, adjacent to a historic mosque, now called Mosque Waris Shah. Waris Shah died in or around 1798. His mausoleum is a place of pilgrimage today, especially for those in love.
He was a consummate artiste, deeply learned in Sufi and domestic cultural lore. His verse is a treasure-trove of Punjabi phrases, idioms and sayings. His minute and realistic depiction of each detail of Punjabi life and the political situation in the 1700s, remains unique. Waris Shah also sublimated his own unrequited love for a girl (Bhag Bhari) in writing romance.
Many verses of Waris Shah are widely used in Punjab in a moral context.One of the more popular is
"Waris Shah; Naa adataan jaandiyan ne, Bhavein katiye pora pora ji"
(O Waris Shah; A man never abandons his habits, even if he is cut to pieces)
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Shakespeare of Punjabi language
Waris Shah is also called Shakespeare of [the [Punjabi]] language because of his great poetic love story.
Excerpt from Heer Waris Shah
These are the opening lines[1] from Waris Shah's rendering of Heer:
| “ | Awwal hamad khuda da vird kariye
Ishq kita su jag da mool mian Pehlaan aap hi rabb ne ishq kita Te mashooq he nabi rasool mian |
” |
Translation: "First of all let us acknowledge God (who is self-evident), who has made love the worth of the world, Sir,
It was God Himself that first loved, and the Prophet (Muhammad (SW)) is His beloved, Sir "
According to folklore, the tomb of Heer is located in Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan.
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