Sheikh Nuruddin Norani(RA) has been known for over the past six centuries as the Alamdar-i- Kashmir and Sheikh-ul alam. Hardly any saint has commanded such reverence, devotion and regard as this illustrious spiritual preceptor. He is quoted by the scholars in their books and speeches, the Sufis and sages in their discourses, and the common man refers to his Shrukhs (verses) and sayings in his daily routine work.
The popularity, attachment and devotion to the Sufi may be gauged from the fact that every village and town, hamlet and settlement is claiming that Sheikh Nuruddin had visited their dwelling and the reverend Sheikh had coined some saying about their village. This is yet to be explored how far these sayings attributed in almost every village have really been uttered by the saint. However Sheikh Nuruddin himself confirms in one of his verses having visited most parts of the valley.
In recent years there has been an attempt by the scholars and researchers to explore the dimensions of the verses of this great saint – poet. He was utterly engrossed in the religious and spiritual pursuits and he had discarded the mundane world. As such whatever Sheikh has versified is basically his experiences about the religious and mystic cosmos. However it is interesting to note that these verses also point to the social and scientific realities and laws. An instance in this regard is the verse: Haz Rasoolus(SAW) Kasek zaji
The Zaji is a Kashmiri word for the web. The scholars today point that the all powerful Allah enabled prophet Muhammad (SAW) to have access to the universal web of Almighty making it easy for him to perform his noble mission. Likewise another verse
Ase chunis thaen thaen te bertis gober
(Light weight things make noise while the heavy ones have density)
The verse is referred by the present day researchers pointing to the Law of Density.
The verses of the Alamdar serve to the modern day historian as a great source for reconstructing social history. Thus we get the reference of flora and fauna, agricultural tools and implements, variety of seeds and crops cultivated, agricultural operations, dress, diet, socio-economic and environmental conditions. Besides, these verses refer to the historical personalities, places and events too.
As an instance Alamdar (RA) refers to the great Sufi writer Moulana Jalaluddin Rumi(RA)
Malla dapze Moulana Rumi
Translation: if you speak about scholars, then Moulana Rumi is (really) the scholar.
Likewise in another verse he traces the Shajra or the genealogical table of the Rishis.
Awal Rishi Ahmad Rishi
Doyem Owais Qarni Aew
Treim Rishi Zulkar Rishi
Chorem Hazrat Palas Aew
Paenchem Rishi Rume Rishi
Shayem Hazrat Meeran Aew
Satmes karhem dashna hishi
Be kus Rishi mey keh Naaw
It may be added here that many of the things the Sheikh has referred about the life of Kashmir have become almost extinct and it is only with the help of the Shurkh (Shalukh) of this great Sufi that we are able to visualise the medieval socio- economic history of Kashmir.
The concern for environment is one of the important issues encompassed by the great Rishi. The Rishis and Sufis relapsed into solitude for meditation and the surroundings seemed to them reflecting nature. Besides, these sages and seers visualised the significance of preserving the environment and possessed the foresight to depict the holocaust of pillaging the environment. Besides the famous quote of ‘Ann posh Teli Yeli Wan Poshi’, Sheikh Nuruddin in a verse castigates a weaver for having his shuttle near a beehive which perturbed the honeybees. Interestingly in a satirical style this great environmentalist cajoles the weaver for having ‘Shravun’ (summer) as his name which to Sheikh appeared ‘Poh’ (winter). In another verse Sheikh stresses that forests without trees (Yarav rustus wanus) are of no avail.
The saint who had least interest in the mundane affairs has even something to offer to those who look for humour and wit in his verses. The following verses are a point in the case :
‘What can one do with a nut who has no teeth’
How can one strike a bow having no arms;
Does it behove to adorn a dog with golden ornaments
Of what avail is a fine-looking lady to a blind one ;
The modern researchers and scholars deserve a pat for their attempts to introduce to the world the multi dimensions of the personality and the verses of the Sufi who is already introduced in every house hold as the great spiritual leader. Mention may be made here of Dr Bashr Bashir, Assad ullah Afaqi and the like who have strived utmost to present the verses of the Nuruddin (RA) having multi dimensions. Assadulah Asad strived hard to tranlate the verses of Shaikh (RA)into the Persian language.
The Radio Kashmir Srinagar also deserve appreciation for airing programmes about Sheikh ul alam and enabling the common folk to have access to the multi faced and multi dimensions of his verses. The Sheikh ul Alam Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Approach or Markazi Noor(Sheikhul Alam Chair) established at the University of Kashmir has also contributed much in presenting the verses of Alamdar-i-Kashmir and his contribution to the culture of Kashmir. However the Center has to do a lot to present the personality and the verses of this great Rishi to the local populace as well as to the outside world.
The author can be reached at @ bashirahmaddar2012@gmail.com
