JOIN USShah Abdul Latif Bhitai (1689-1752) has been one of the greatest Sufi poets, along with Rumi (1207-1273) and Mir Dard (1721-1785), but relatively speaking, lesser known. His poetry draws on the power and beauty of Vedanta and Islam merging the two philosophies into one poetic and spiritual vision. His major work is Shah Jo Risalo and his poems thrive today as a vibrant oral tradition being widely sung, quoted and loved by both Hindu and Muslim communities in the Sindh region on both sides of the Indo-Pak border.
On November 21, the poetry of Shah Latif will come alive in two distinct musical genres.
One is the Kaafi form of singing prevalent among the bhajan singers of the Meghval community of Kutch.
The second is a deep, meditative musical form known as Waee, which is also the name of the style of poetry created by Shah Latif. This style is prevalent across the border between India and Pakistan.
The music performances would be interspersed by the evocative story telling of the folk love legends and poetry readings by Mumbai-based translator and poet Anju Makhija and film-maker Shabnam Virmani.
A sampling of traditional Sindhi cuisine will be available at the venue.
There will also be stall with films, music, books, T-shirts inspired by the poetry of Shah Latif and Kabir.
The festival is organised by The Kabir Project, Sindhi Culture Foundation and National Centre for Biological Sciences.
Donor Passes for the festival are available at the following places: K C Das — St Mark’s Road, CMH Road, Wheeler Road, BTM Layout, Marthahalli,
JP Nagar, Sampige Road, New BEL Road. Bulchee — Garuda Mall, Forum Value Mall (Whitefield), Cosmos (Whitefield), Total Mall (Sarjapur Road), Sigma Mall, Cunningham Road. Prism -The Bookshop, 11th Main, 4th Block Jayanagar. Ph no: 26637527.
Inside Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Race Course Road (from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm). Supermarket — 5th Avenue, Brigade Road. Ph no: 25581248.
Pecos R & B — Near Ramaiah Hospital, New BEL Road. Ph 40905168. Pecos — Brigade Road. Ph no: 25586047. MOJO — Residency Road (near Ballal Residency)
Ph no: 41142038. Stones Pub — Indiranagar. Ph no: 41481574.
Favourite Shop — Commercial Street, M G Road, Jayanagar, Indiranagar, Marathalli, Forum Value Mall, Whitefield, Mantri Square. Soch — Forum Mall, Koramangala; Commercial Street; Forum Value Mall, Whitefield; Mantri Mall.
For details, log on to www.kabirproject.org