Book on life of Waris Shah to be launched

Islamabad: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) is all set to launch a book on the life and works of renowned Punjabi Sufi poet and saint Waris Shah.
Waris Shah was renowned for his contribution to Punjabi literature. He is best known for his seminal work ‘Heer Ranjha’, based on the traditional folk tale of ‘Heer’ and ‘Ranjha’. ‘Heer’ is considered one of the quintessential works of classical Punjabi literature. The story of Heer was also told by several other writers, but Waris Shah’s version is by far the most popular today and is most widely quoted.
Waris Shah is also called Shakespeare of the Punjabi language because of his great poetic love story, ‘Heer Ranjha’. It is said that through this story of romantic love, he tried to portray the love of man for God (the quintessential subject of Sufi literature). 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.
Talking to this media, Lok Virsa’s Executive Director Dr. Fouzia Saeed informed that the book launching ceremony will take place on today, July 31, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Lok Virsa Complex, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian.
The book is based on the research of three eminent scholars of Punjabi literature Sajjad Haidar, Prof Sharif Kunjai and Muhammad Asif. Well known author, poet, columnist Atta ul Haq Qasmi will be the chief guest on the occasion.