Kangan, Oct 25: Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, on Saturday organised a grand symposium at Baba Nagri, Wangath in Kangan, celebrating the life and Sufi poetry of the revered saint Hazrat Mian Abdullah Larvi, popularly known as Baba Ji Sahib.
The event brought together scholars, poets, and devotees to honor the saint’s teachings of peace, spirituality, and interfaith harmony. Member of Parliament Mian Altaf Ahmad graced the occasion as the chief guest.
The symposium featured two sessions, beginning with a welcome address and introductory remarks by Dr Rawail Singh, Convener of the Punjabi Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, Delhi. Khalid Hussain, distinguished writer and member of the Punjabi Advisory Board, delivered the keynote address.
Speakers highlighted the spiritual and literary contributions of Mian Abdullah Larvi, emphasising the need to preserve and propagate the saint’s message through his poetry and writings. Various scholars also presented papers on his life and Sufi works.
Addressing the audience, the speakers said that among the great Sufi saints of the Indian subcontinent, Hazrat Mian Abdullah Larvi holds a unique position for his devotion, struggle, and spiritual insight.
“Baba Ji Sahib was sent from Hazara (Muzaffarabad) to Wangath, Kashmir, to continue this sacred spiritual tradition. His writings, such as Asrar-e-Kabeeri, Malfuzat-e-Nizamia, poetic works, and the book Mata-e-Faqr-o-Danish by his grandson Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi, provide deep insight into his personality, miracles, and enduring legacy,” they said.
According to Mata-e-Faqr-o-Danish, Mian Abdullah Larvi was born in 1863 in Nahjoreh, Hazara. His birth was foretold by his spiritual mentor, Molvi Dada Sahib (Hazrat Mian Nizamuddin), who named him Abdullah and predicted he would shine as a light of mercy. Orphaned at the age of four, he was raised by his maternal uncle and nurtured in devotion and religious learning by his mother. By the age of 18, he had attained high levels of spiritual awareness. He established his mission in Wangath, a region resembling Kuniyan Sharif in its natural serenity. The shrine at Wangath continues to attract devotees of all faiths, reflecting his message of unity, equality, and the universal spirit of Islam.
Prominent poets and writers at the event included Mansha Khaki, Amanpreet Kaur, Javed Rahi, Popinder Singh Paras, and Barkat Hussain. Maulana Ghulam Mohi-U-Din Bijran spoke on the life and teachings of Mian Abdullah Larvi.
During the event, MP Mian Altaf Ahmad expressed gratitude to Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, for organising the symposium. He described Baba Ji Sahib as a saint who led a simple, exemplary life, consistently spreading messages of peace, humanity, and Islamic teachings. The legacy of Baba Ji Sahib has been continued by his son Mian Nizamuddin, grandson Mian Bashir Ahmad Larvi, and now by me. The shrine at Wangath Sharif remains a vibrant center for spiritual guidance, preaching, and interfaith harmony.
Mian Abdullah Larvi was primarily associated with Gojri and Sufi spiritualism, but his literary contributions were part of a broader family tradition that also involved Punjabi. His importance to Punjabi literature is best understood within the context of his family and the specific literary tradition he practiced. His works continue to inspire devotion, cultural awareness, and interfaith understanding across generations.
