Waris Shah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Waris Shah
Depiction of Waris Shah, Lahore, ca.1859
Native name	وارث شاہ
Born	1722 (1722) Jandiala Sher Khan, Sheikhupura, Punjab, Mughal Empire (present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Died	1799 (aged 76–77) Jandiala Sher Khan, Pakpattan, Punjab, Durrani Empire (present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Genre	Sufi poetry
Notable works	Heer Ranjha- by Waris Shah - A Classic Book on their love story

Waris Shah (born 1722, died 1798) was a famous Punjabi Sufi poet. He was part of the Chishti order, a group known for its spiritual teachings. Waris Shah is celebrated for his important contributions to Punjabi literature. He is most famous for writing Heer Ranjha, a classic love story.

About Waris Shah

A 20th-century painting of Waris Shah

Waris Shah, whose full name was Syed Mohammad Waris Shah, was born in Jandiala Sher Khan. This area is in the Punjab, which is now part of Pakistan. He came from a respected Sayyid family. His father was Gulsher Shah, and his mother was Kamal Banu. Sadly, Waris's parents passed away when he was young.

Waris Shah spent many years looking for a great spiritual teacher. He became a student of Hafiz Ghulam Murtaza from Kasur, who taught him a lot. After finishing his education, Waris moved to Malka Hans. This village is about 12 kilometers north of Pakpattan. He lived there in a small room next to an old mosque, which is now called Masjid Waris Shah, until he died.

Over time, other poets added their own lines to Waris Shah's famous story, Qissa Waris Shah. It's thought that many of the lines found in copies today were added later. One of the oldest and most accurate copies of Qissa Waris Shah was published in 1916 by Kripa Ram. You can find it in the Punjab Public Library in Lahore.

Famous Works

The Shrine of Waris Shah in Jandiala Sher Khan, Pakistan

Waris Shah's writings are very popular in the Punjab. Many of his verses are used to teach moral lessons. Here are a few examples:

• Naa adataan jaandiyan ne, Bhavein katiye poriyan poriyan ji

(A person never truly gives up their habits, even if they are cut into pieces.)

• Waris rann, faqir, talwar, ghora; Chare thok eh kisse de yar nahin

(Waris says that a woman, a beggar, a sword, and a horse are never truly anyone's friends.)

• Waris Shah faqir di aqal kithe; eh pattian ishq padhiyan hun

(It is beyond the wisdom of the faqeer Waris Shah to write this verse, but these lessons are taught by Love.)

• Eh rooh qalboot da zikr sara nal aqal de mel bulaya ee

(This entire reference is about the Soul meeting with the Divine Beloved, which has been created with great wisdom.)

The well-known Punjabi writer and poet Amrita Pritam wrote a famous work called Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu. This title means "Today I Invoke Waris Shah." Her poem talks about the terrible events of the Partition of India, especially how it affected the Punjab.

• Ajj Akan Waris shah nu, k tu Qabran vichon bol

(Today, I call upon Waris Shah, to rise from the grave and speak.)

• Te Ajj kitaab e ishq da, koi Agla warka phol

(And plead with him to open another page in the book of love.)

Waris Shah in Movies

Waris Shah's life has been shown in several Punjabi-language films.

• In 1964, a Pakistani film called Waris Shah was released. Inayat Hussain Bhatti played Waris Shah in this movie.
• Another film about Waris Shah's life, Sayyed Waris Shah, came out in India in 1980.
• Later, in 2006, the film Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris was released. In this movie, Gurdas Maan played the role of Waris Shah.

See also

• List of Punjabi language poets