Saraiki culture

A fruit vendor in a fruit market in the heart of Multan

Saraiki culture is the culture of the Saraiki speaking people residing in Pakistan and outside Pakistan. The region where Saraiki is spoken in Pakistan is part of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization and has been centre of culture and trade in Indian Sub-continent. It has been centre of Islamic mysticism after 712 C.E.

Sufism

Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam

Main article: Multan#Culture

There is a saying in Persian that Multan is the 'City of Saints, Sufis and Beggars' (Gard, Garma wa Goristan). It is one of the main cities in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The city has been a focal point for many religions, in particular becoming a central abode for Sufism, the mystical side of Islam. The city has attracted Sufi saints from far places of the globe. Today, Multan is known as the 'City of Sufis'. Shaikh Amin bin Abdul Rehman, who has introduced the Idrisiyya sufi order in Pakistan, lives at 381-A, Shah Rukn-e-Alam Colony, New Multan, where a four-storey mosque adjacent to his residence is visited by people from all over the country.

Architecture

Darbar Mahal in Bahawalpur

See also: List of places in Multan

Multan is one of the oldest cities in South Asia, with many tombs, shrines, temples, cathedrals and mausoleums, as well as a historical fort. Today Multan is a combination of old and the new Pakistan culture. There is a big hustle bustle in the old city and comfort of a five star hotel and fine dining in the new. The old city has a various bazaars selling mystical artifacts, perfumes to arts and crafts. There are also elaborately decorated shrines of the Sufi saints, tombs of various travellers and important people within the old city of Multan.

The prime attractions of Multan are its mausoleums of Sufi saints. The Mausoleum of Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya, as well as the Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam are the prime attractions of the city. Their lofty domes of are visible, from miles and dominate the skyline of Multan. Another popular shrine is the Mausoleum of Shams-ud-Din, commonly known as Shah Shamsuddin Sabzwari is located about half a mile to the east of the Multan Fort, on the high bank of the old bed of the Ravi River.

Another famous and beautiful mausoleum of a warrior sufi saint and poet Hazrat Hafiz Muhammad Jamal Multani (1747-1811 AD) is situated near Aam Khas garden outside Daulat Gate, Multan.

There are many beautiful buildings, castles and palaces in Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Mankera.

Saraiki Cuisine

Sohanjrraan tree

Flowers of Sohanjrraan or Sohanjna (Moringa oleifera) is one of the most famous vegetable dish in South Punjab.

Traditional Saraiki Sports

Geeti Danna or Gilli-danda (Urdu: گلی ڈنڈا) is one of the famous traditional sports especially in boys in rural areas along with other sports like Baandar Killa, Pitho Garam, Staapu and Kabaddi.

Saraiki Literature

Main article: Saraiki literature

Tomb of Sufi poet Khwaja Ghulam Farid

Saraiki is famous for its Sufi poetry. Khawaja Ghulam Farid (1845-1901), his famous collection is Deewan-e-Farid, and Sachal Sar Mast (1739–1829) are the most celebrated Sufi poets in Saraiki and their poems known as Kafi are still famous.

The beloved's intense glances call for blood

The dark hair wildly flows The Kohl of the eyes is fiercely black

And slays the lovers with no excuse

My appearance in ruins, I sit and wait

While the beloved has settled in Malheer I feel the sting of the cruel dart

My heart the, abode of pain and grief A life of tears, I have led Farid

-one of Khwaja Ghulam Farid's poems (translated)

Shakir Shujabadi (Kalam-e-Shakir, Khuda Janey, Shakir Diyan Ghazlan, Peelay Patr, Munafqan Tu Khuda Bachaway, Shakir De Dohray are his famous books) is very well recognized modern poet.

Saraiki folklore

Saraiki areas in the south are equally rich in folklore.

Art and Music

Saraiki folk singer latePathay Khan

Saraiki folk music revolves around the desert's beauty and following are the famous Saraiki singers who perform folk and Sufi music.

• Attaullah Khan Essa Khailwi
• Pathanay Khan
• Abida Parveen
• Ustad Muhammad Juman
• Suraiya Multanikar
• Mansoor Malangi
• Ahmed Nawaz Cheena

Many modern Pakistan Singers like Hadiqa Kiyani and Ali Zafar have also sung Saraiki folk songs.

See also

• Saraiki people
• Saraiki language
• Saraikistan
• Multan
• Indus Valley Civilization