Born in Uch, Subah of Multan, Bulleh Shah belonged to a family of religious scholars. In his juvenile years, his family moved to Malakwal, and later Pandoke, in the Subah of Lahore; where he got his early education from his father, while working as a herder, in the village. He received his higher religious education at Kasur from Hafiz Ghulam Murtaza; and later studied in Lahoreunder Shah Inayat Qadiri.

Bulleh Shah’s poetry resonated with a wide audience due to the use of colloquial language; employing metaphors and imagery to convey complex spiritual ideas to those outside formal religious circles.^[He became known for his mystic poetry, which blended his philosophy of oneness of god, divine love, humanism, social equality and tolerance; and critiqued social norms and institutions for exploiting the ordinary people. His poetry marked a new era in Punjabi literature and spread a wave of reformist ideasthroughout the Punjab, which included calls for social, religious and political reforms.

He spent most of his life in Kasur, where he died at the age of 77.^[He is revered as the 'Sheikh of Both Worlds' amongst Punjabi Muslims. His poetry has been ingrained in Punjabi proverbs, qisse, and folk traditions; and has been recited at many cultural events, particularly his kafis, including one organized by UNESCO. It has also brought fourth many modern renditions, particularly in the form of qawwali.

S JASSA SINGH AHULWALIA