"Shahenshah" Baba Nebhraj

Sindh has been the land the “Sufis” – a place known for religious tolerance and communal harmony. The land has been blessed with saints of both Hindu as well as Muslim faiths. One such saint was Baba Nebhraj who is popularly referred to as “Shahenshah” by his followers. I first came to know about Baba Nebhraj few years ago as my maternal uncle was a follower of his and regularly used to visit “Majnu Ka Tila” in Outer Delhi where the sacred Samadhi of Baba Sahib stands. The uncle has since expired but there is still a Baba Sahib’s small statue in the family car. A large no. of Sindhi Gurmandir’s do also have a statue of Baba Nebhraj along with other sufi saints thereby reiterating Baba Sahib’s popularity in the “Samaj”. 

Baba Sahib was born in the town of Rohri (Upper Sindh) in 1875 in Bhatia family. The town of Rohri has been blessed by the birth of countless Sufi saints and sages. As Dada Bhaneja writes in his book (Troubled Pilgrimage: Passage to Pakistan) about Rohiri quoting (Late) Professor Motilal Butani “Oh Rohiri! Even your stones must be worshipped because in the past at one time all the saints must have passed over them, graced by the touch of their feet”.  The town is also known for “Sat Ben” (Seven Sisters), a memorial erected in the memory of seven sisters, who sacrificed their lives to preserve their chastity. Baba Sahib left this world in 1949.

It is believed that Baba Sahib had “special” powers – he knew about all his previous births, could foretell events – one day , long before partition, he started crying as he could forsee the lines of demarcation being drawn, in another instance, he foretold about Quetta Earthquake and Bhagat Kanwarram’s assassination. He lived like a typical”sufi” – largely detached from the materialistic world; however always willing to help others.  Sufidar Trust website states :-

“Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj lived truly like a typical Sufi saint of Sind. Poor in the wealth of the world, he was rich in spiritual treasure. He moved about clad in a single long, flowing robe, carefree and fearless, absorbed in the thoughts of the King of kings, with a far-away gaze in his eyes. He had a stately bearing and moved nonchalantly, caring the least for things temporal. Rich and royal is the heritage of each human being but not many become aware of it. They live and move as beggars, knocking from door to door, begging from street to street and crying from one corner to another. Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj had come to this world to wake men from their slumber of the senses, to extricate them out of their dens and dungeons of ignorance and ambition, selfishness and restlessness and to lead them to the Abode of God, where dwells bliss untold.”

The interested reader may want to read the book : “ Shahenshah Baba Nebhraj Sahib” by Shri Tulsidas Tahiliani available free of cost on the link : http://www.sufidar.org/biography . 

Sufidar Trust in Chennai, was established by (Late) Dada Ratanchand, a disciple of Baba Nebhraj. Over years, Sufi Dar has also become a centre of service for the impoverished, the needy and the distressed.  Please see the below link to a dated newspaper article which shows how the followers of Baba Nebhraj / Dada Ratanchand are trying to keep the “core human values” alive. I wish Sufidar Trust all the best in their endeavors. 

https://scroll.in/article/811273/for-35-years-sindhi-volunteers-have-helped-worshippers-at-a-chennai-mosque-break-their-ramzan-fast


Jiye Sindhiyat!

Sindhi "Bhagat"

The first time I heard about the term “Bhagat” was some years ago when the neighborhood community center (“Sindhu Samaj”) was renovated and did a mural painting of a typical “Bhagat” Session (see below). It was then that I enquired from the elders in the family about “Bhagat” sessions (Sindhi Oral Tradition incorporating song, dance, story and drama) and was told about Bhagat Kanwarram being a master of this craft.  Having grown up in Delhi which has a sizable Sindhi population, I have been hearing about Bhagat Sahib since the  beginning. There is not a single program (that I know of) where Bhagat Sahib’s songs have not been sung or he hasn’t been quoted. In addition, a number of charitable acts by various Samaj’s are named after him ( Bhagat Kanwarram Dharamshala etc.. ).  

Sindhu Samaj Front Wall ( Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi)

  

Recently, I came across the article “Sindhi Bhagat Songs associated with Kanvar Ram” by Ms. Jyoti Garin which beautifully explains Bhagat tradition. The interested reader can find the article on the internet which also includes English translation of few of Bhagat Kanwarram Sahib's famous Kalams. The article states (edited excerpts):-

“The group of five or six men comprises a “leader”, an “assistant” ,  one  or  two  “followers” , sometimes  a  “buffoon” and  two musicians.  It  is  a  typical  form  of  Sindhi  narration  in  terms  of  language,  costume  and headdress  as  well  as  of  songs,  instruments,  movements  and  gestures…  Dressed in an emblematic costume, leader and assistance, while the followers repeat and dance.

The session begins at nightfall, in the open air in a village square or in the precincts of a temple and the spectators come from all spheres of society. Formerly, these gatherings lasted three  consecutive  nights.  At  the  time  of  joyous  festivals  such  as  marriages  or  fairs,  these narrators generate a sense of piety, spread knowledge and acclaim righteousness and social progress. The bhagats also commemorate the death of the saints (“varsi”). To this day, these narrators are honored. These performances generate an atmosphere of simplicity and intense communion. It is considered that the bhagats purify the spot, the house and the village where they pass.”  

Inquiring a bit more detail from the family elders, I was told that in the pre-partition era , “Bhagat” performances held a special significance in the life of an ordinary " Hindu" Sindhi as being the main source of entertainment. However, with the emergence of alternate channels of entertainment, Bhagat tradition has witnessed a steep decline both in its relevance as well as popularity in the post-partition India. It was an almost extinct craft till a few years ago; however the past years have seen two or three upcoming Bhagat performers from Ulhasnagar/Ajmer. The other Bhagat who comes to my mind is Bhagat Bhooro Lal in Pakistan whom you would have seen in some of the videos that I have shared in previous posts ( esp. the song " Dastaan e Moomal Rano" where he sang along with Saeen Saif Samejo).

My first (and only) experience of  watching a “Bhagat” performance was last year when Sindhu Samaj had invited Bhagat Thanwar and Bhagat Anil Jaisinghani from Ulhasnagar (Mumbai) to perform at a musical evening. I have never ever seen a more energetic live performance than this! In my opinion, the beauty of a "Bhagat" art  lies in its "content" which is usually a mix of Sindhi Sufi poetry, kalams and  Master Chander  songs along with the "old school" delivery style which is simple yet powerful.  "Bhagat" performances play an important role in spreading the universal values of religious tolerance and brotherhood which is extremely important in today's day and age. 

 I am attaching a couple of you-tube links of Bhagat Thanwar and Bhagat Anil which hopefully will help you appreciate this wonderful oral tradition that is largely followed in Hindu Sindhis. Keeping this tradition alive is not an easy task given the minimal remuneration that these artists earn  and hence it is important for the entire community to support these artists. The easiest way to do so is to host a "Bhagat" session in your area / community centre .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIE9vi-u8Y8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWUYRR-LkLo

Jeay Sindhiyat!