Publisher’s Note
Poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is composed in music specially in theSurs and the Ragas. By art it is composed in Baits and Vaaees. Each Sur starts with the Baits and ends with the Vaaees. The Bait is old form of Sindhi Poetry. Baba Fareed was the first Indus Valley Sindhi Poet of the Bait. The Baits are mainly composed in two forms: Doha and Sortha. After Baba Fareed; Qazi Qadan, Sheikh Hamad Jamali, Ishaque Aahangar, Lutufullah Qadri, Shah Kareem, Makhdoom Nooh and other Classical Poets composed the Bait. Shah Inaat Rizvi of Nasarpur was the first Poet of Vaaee. Vaaee is basically the call and cry of separation. There is big confusion between Vaaee and Kaafi. Some scholars have claimed that the both; Vaaee and Kaafi are the same. In upper Sindh the same form of poetry is called Kaafi and in lower Sindh (Laarr) it is called Vaaee. It is wrong claim as the both are different in their forms. In Vaaee there is repetition after every verse. While the Kafi by art; can be written in the Ghazal or in the Geet mode or form.
Shah Latif owned the both forms of Poetry such as, Bait and Vaaees as well as. Shah Latif adopted and sometimes invented the new Metres of Bait and Vaaee. In the poetry of ShahLatif, the both Bait as well as the Vaaee; seem on its peak.
This Book “VAAEE OF SHAH ABDUL LATIF BHITAI”: Origin, Evolution and Role of Mass Media’ written by well-known musician and scholar ZULFIQAR ALI QURESHI; is actually his PhD dissertation; which he presented in University of Sindh for Award of PhD degree. As scholar claims that ‘this research work focuses on Vaaee and its different singing styles with respect to electronic media. Vaaee is supposed to be an ancient form of music and poetry in Sindhi. These days; Poetry of Shah Abdul Latif is being spread in various parts of Sindh as well as world through mass media. Vaaee of Shah Latif is being sung in 11 different styles at his shrines. While in art of composition it may differ.
In mode of composition the Vaaee of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai seem as the main and the middle of his poetry; while Bait seems as the preface to the Vaaees. In total his poetry witnesses the universal temporal at large scale. That’s why his poetry seems new in all ages and stages.
In this regard different scholars, Music composers, vocalists and Producers have contributed. Through its new experimentation media specially electronic and social media is being popularized day by day and the new ideas are being discovered and discussed. This Book is also the part of the same series. Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Qureshi has discussed different modes of the Vaaees of Shah Latif. No doubt it is a Creditable contribution towards the poetry and music of Shah Latif the great.
We are glad to share this beautiful work with the lovers of Latif. He is the first qualified musicologist.
As it is unique work on Musicology, so we hope this will be recived with open arms by the students, scholars and the lovers of Latif.
Ghulam Akbar Ali Laghari
Secretary culture, Tourism and antiquities
Government of Sindh
