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Love Stories of the Risalo of Shah Latif - Noori Jam-Tamachee
Contribution by Naveed Siraj
The Risalo of Shah Latif is divided into chapters called Surs which are composed on the lines of musical notes. Each sur is based on symbols taken from stories which are part of Sindhi folklore. Sur Kamod in the Risalo of Shah Latif is based on the love story of Noori Jam-Tamachee:
Noori Jam-Tamachee
King Jam Tamachi was a Samo ruler of lower Sind at the end of the 14th century A.D. While on a shooting expedition, he chanced to see a fisher girl named Noori, falling madly in love with her and offered to married her, his love for her blind to the social disparity between them.
When they returned back to his capital, he was made aware of the general disapproval of this match. He merely observed that the detractors did not know her as much as he did. In order to display her character and appease the cynics, one day, he announced to his queens, that he would take one of them for a ride on an outing.
All the queens put on elaborate makeup and their best clothing, but not Noori. On the contrary, she put on her old family garment, perhaps the one she wore when the kind has seen her first. When Jam Tamachi visited the queens, she smiled at them and moved on. When he saw Noori, in her simple attire, he was greatly impressed. He nodded her approval at her and led her by the hand to the royal carriage.
When they were alone, he enquired from her about her dress. She tells him that the dress reminded her of what she inherently was, and what she owed the king for her elevation. The king was charmed with her simplicity and sincerity and the legend of their happy lives have become part of the Sindhi folklore immortalized by Shah Latif.
[Taken from Agha M. Yaqoob's 3 volume translation of the Risalo with minor editing]
I owe it to Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan’s rendition of Sur Kamod for this exploration of Shah Latif. It is challenging to understand the nij/thait diction but after listening to Ustad Manzoor Ali Khan, it became labor of love to cross-reference available literature on Shah to understand the Sur. I am handicapped still, as far as pronunciation is concerned, but I hope I am forgiven for this short-coming
Ustad Manzoor’s track can be accessed at
http://yangtze.cs.uiuc.edu/~jamali/sindh/res/audio/links/manzoor2.ram
This kafi is based on Shah Latif’s Sur Kamod & it is describing the scene of the King Jam Tamachee falling for a simple fisherwoman Nooree, about Noori’s humble background, her demeanor, her poverty & the king falling for her despite all this…
May 1st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Raza - Extremely grateful
For the benefit of those who will spend their 7 minutes listening to the track and why I found it to be a defining moment that led me to the path of discovery of Sufi poetry especially that of Shah, I have listened to the kafi once again and have gathered for the readers of your illustrious blog. This is followed by yet another juvenile attempt at a translation on my part
I have not found the refrain in the Risalo but as the other verses are from the Risalo, perhaps Ustaad Manzoor Ali Khan selected this one line from a version that I am not aware of.
QUOTE
alaap
toon samoo, aaonn gandree, moon main aib n lakh
mohenjay hin haal jee, tokhay sabh parakh
karan raba, mataan maangar matee-ain
[Refrain] Khuta keenjhar keenaray, tamboo tamachee jaam jaa
Sabh sameeyoon, sabh soomeyoon, sabh-na gichee haar
Pasan khatir pireen-ana jay, vicha-yaaon vaar
[Refrain] Khuta keenjhar keenaray, tamboo tamachee jam jaa
Jaaraa ain kharaa, maal-a janeen ja mad-a
tayee sain samay kaya, heeraan janeen had-a
Jam partai-n lad-a, sayeed chavay
[Refrain] Khuta keenjhar keenaray, tamboo tamachee jam jaa
you are samoo royalty
I am a mohanee, a fisherwoman
full of countless blemishes
my poverty and condition, you are all aware
in the name of the lord,
do not forsake me for my predicament
[refrain] the royal entourage of jaam tamachee arrives at the banks of keenjhar
the princesses in the harem,
decked up with flowers and their sweet splender
all eager for Jaam’s approval yearning his favor
[refrain] the royal entourage of jaam tamachee arrives at the banks of keenjhar
foul smelling nets and fish-baskets
as their sole possession
this poor lot
prince jaam has accepted as kin
for the sake of love
[refrain] the royal entourage of jaam tamachee arrives at the banks of keenjhar
UNQUOTE
Trust above is helpful
Sufi interpretation of the story of Nooree-Jaam Tamachee is that the Divine accepts as chosen ones, those who lead their lives in a simple manner without hanging on to wordly possessions. Simplicity and humility are dear to the Lord and these were the qualities of the Prophet (PBUH)
May 1st, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Naveed Bhai
many thanks for this brilliant translation.
It deserves a separate post
wah ..
May 1st, 2008 at 9:46 pm
A beautiful tale of love yet I’ve often wondered why simplicity and poverty are often extolled in literature to such extent…perhaps it gives the struggling masses hope and even makes them feel good about their unending struggle to make ends meet. A rather cynical observation; I’d be glad if it were counter argued; I’ve always liked to see the glass half full!
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:41 am
IMEMY - In the love stories of the Risalo, as I stated earlier, the characters are not simply lovers or seekers of love. These are seekers of union with the Divine.
Values espoused by Shah Latif are simplicity, adherence to Truth
How about this verse which resonates Hazrat Essa (PBUH). I am recalling this out of memory and apologies if i am incorrect in recalling the actual bayt/verse
ho chavana-ee, toon ma-cha-oo vataan varaiy
ag agraa-ee jo karay, khata so kay-ay
pand-e main pay-ya, vo keenay varoo keena kee
If they say[a harsh word], you do not say in return [a harsher response]
the one who plays this game, remains at fault,
the one with malice in their hearts, will achieve nothing
the values embodied in the holy prophet [PBUH], are aligned with characters of these love stories.
If the prophet abhored greed, then you will have a tale in the Risalo [Leela Chanesar], singing the praise of the Lord & being thankful for his blessings [Sur Saarang], upholding Truth [Rai Dyach], commitment to belief (Love), devotion to Truth & importance of prayer and search for truth [Sassi Punoo]
In conclusion, people on the lower strata of society, incidently the main audience of the risalo are much more enlightened to know that it is simplicity that is being praised not their poverty
May 7th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Sure,
A nice one