Sufi Poetry of Bulleh Shah: A Dithyramb of Ecofeminism and Green Ecology

Abstract

This paper talks about ecocriticism in the general and spiritual insight of ecofeminists in Bulleh Shah’s verses where he equates women with nature and has been rendered as someone who defies cultural boundaries, but always conforms to nature. Woman in his poetry has been portrayed as having the power to nurture humanity as well as human beings, her femininity has been appreciated and acknowledged. His poetry does not see ecology as a confined term but it includes human beings as well non-human organisms. The paper explores the times of the Shah when there was no theory of ecological feminism but ecology and woman’s relationship has always been there. His poetry has spoken particularly for the vulnerable communities of gypsy, women, and non-human living phenomenon; the subaltern that needs representation. This research criticizes the ways culture takes over nature, supporting the canonical philosophy of the west that looks at nature from the perspective of anthropocentrism. Ecofeminist view of Bulleh Shah’s poetry talks about the atrocities caused by a human being in the name of culture against other human beings and nature. Women have been portrayed particularly who don’t disturb the order of nature and speak against green criminology. The havoc caused by man through plundering, massive killing, and sabotaging the weaker ones is disproportionate to Mother Nature and invites her wrath. Women conversely nurture and share the quality of nature of being benevolent and productive. The research undertakes how the woman has contributed to safeguarding nature and fighting a war both against man’s violence on her and culture’s imposition on nature in Bulleh Shah’s poetry.