Ranjheya Ve: A Collection of Panjabi Verse - Paperback

The tradition of poetry in Panjabi is rich and diverse, encompassing many genres, ranging from folk songs and Sufi poetry to the devotional hymns of the Sikh gurus. Modern verse is also a substantial part of the literary corpus. The variety of genres and the volume of exceptional material make it a challenge to select verse for a short anthology like this one. Nevertheless, an effort has been made to create a selection that is as representative as possible. This collection includes the sufi kalam, folk songs, poetry from the Progressive Writers' Movement, songs by rock artists, and memorable movie soundtracks. Only songs that have been performed and are available online are included.

The relatively large selection of Sufi poetry in this anthology reflects the impressive tradition of Islamic mysticism in Punjabi. Many Muslims and non-Muslims alike consider Sufism in general and Sufi poetry in particular as the most beautiful expression of Islam. Nowhere is this sentiment more accurate than in Panjabi sufi kalam. The collection includes the poetry of Bullhe Shah, Khwaja Ghulam Farid, Sultan Bahu, and Shah Husain, as performed by master qawwals and folk artists.

The poetry of Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Amrita Pritam is included in this compilation, representing the Progressive Writers' Movement.