Three day Urs of one of the greatest names in Punjabi Sufi literature, Syed Waris Shah has begun in Jandiala Sherkhan, Sheikhupura. The 225th Urs of Syed Waris Shah by Punjab Council of the Arts in collaboration with the District Administration is to take place from September 23 - 25 2023.
If only his words could be understood & seen as they should’ve been. #Punjabi #Sufi #Poet #WarisShah #Literature #Sheikhupura pic.twitter.com/smfrIzI0F1
— Laraib Aslam (@Laraib_Aslam) September 23, 2023
Many took to social media X to share their thoughts and celebrate Waris Shah's work with some referring to him as the 'Shakespeare of the Punjabi language.'
Tomorrow is the local holiday in district Sheikhupura on the account of Annual Urs of Peer Syed Waris Shah, The Shakespeare of the Punjabi language and the Author of Heer Ranjha. Urs has started today and will continue for three days.#WarisShah pic.twitter.com/Cnpn8YujJh
— Mohammad Jamlish Roy (@jamlishsays) September 23, 2022
While he has a wide body of work, Waris Shah is best remembered for his Sufiana Kalaam on the folk story of Heer Ranjha.
"Heer says, O jogi! You tell lies; whom can unite separated lovers."
— Aeshvarya Thakur (@mayamatchstick) September 25, 2021
Waris Shah,the poet who immortalized #folklore of #HeerRanjha through his sufiana kalaam,his #urs is being celebrated at his shrine at Jandiala Sher Khan in Pakistan.@Soofinama #sufism @tawairkh @LahoreMuseum pic.twitter.com/zZQD3Tmag0
Some also shared extracts of his poetry particularly phrases where Waris Shah voices Heer and how she fought back against the patriarchy.
Since today is the Urs of Pir Waris Shah, one of the greatest Punjabis ever, I would like to share this page from his "Heer Waris Shah", one of my favourite ones there.
— Fitna shah (@fitnashah) September 23, 2023
All the rhyming words at the end of each verse ending in -āTiyey are gaaliyaan by Heer's mum for her. pic.twitter.com/vKbg9CCYdr
Sharing Heer’s response to her mother, which is even more beautiful. Possibly my most favourite verses from the whole epic. Waris Shah in 1760’s was like ‘ummm fucckkk patriarchy’ https://t.co/Fb4StRwDsh pic.twitter.com/eFsvydmSsE
— Harris Gondal (@dontharrisme) September 23, 2023