CRY FOR THE BELOVED:SUFI POETRY - SHAH ABDUL LATIF

Shah Abdul Latif is one of the greatest Sufi poets in history along with Rumi and Mir Dard. Latif’s poetry is largely about love, the love of the Supreme, and the love of humanity, depicting the seeker’s direct relationship with the Supreme instead of any particular religious group looking for scriptural instructions and injunctions. His major work, Shah Jo Risalo, composed of thirty surs, can be described as one long wail of firaq or separation from God. Known as one of the greatest Sufi works in history, the Shah Jo Risalo is a prayer, a cry for the beloved. Written more than 250 years ago, Latif’s poetry is deeply rooted in the human experience of searching for the self.

Cry for the Beloved: Poetry of Shah Abdul Latif - Vol II is a poetic experience designed by Dr. Omkar Bhatkar using movement, music, visual aesthetics, and storytelling. Keeping in mind the formlessness of love and Sufi poetry, an attempt has been made here to create an experience for the audience by blending and breaking forms to create a harmonious picture transcending forms of theatre, dance, and film.

Vol II will take you on a journey of 3 Surs, viz: Sur Sasui Abiri, Sur Ramkali, and Sur Sarang.

English Translations by Christopher Shackle, Elsa Gertrude Loesch, Shabnam Virmani, and Vipul Rikhi

Metamorphosis Theatre and Films

in collaboration with

St. Andrew`s Centre for Philosophy & Performing Arts presentation.

Team : Omkar Bhatkar | Anosh Aibara | Viraj Dey