Warris Shah (An Old & Rare Book)

Warris Shah (18th century), the greatest among the Kissa writers of Punjab., has enthralled generations of Punjabi readers through his immortal Kissa Heer. Unique among Punjabi poets, he caught the spirit of the legend as none else did, although the ballad had been composed by many.

Containing some 600 odd stanzas, Kissa Heer, the saga of two ill-fated lovers, is rich both in its emotional variety and range. What gives it strength and style is its folk idiom. It is the people's language that he has fashioned into a verse of beauty and splendour. The village sayings and aphorisms have been exquisitely woven into the fabric of the poem. In fact, there is none who has translated the Punjabi way of life into song and story as movingly as Warris. Amrita Pritam aptly calls him "a solace for the sufferers, a balm for the bruised hearts"

Gurcharan Singh (b. 1917), the author of this monograph, is a short story writer, novelist, play-wright, literary critic, poet, biographer and educationist. He is also the recipient of a number of awards. In this monograph he interprets the 18th century Punjabi romance mainly for the benefit of the non-Punjabi readers.