Given my namesake, love songs have haunted me throughout my life. Well, to be more accurate, people burst out into “Laila mein Laila” despite it being our first meeting or make constant inquiries about my Majnu. But the tragic love story I want to talk about today is a famous Balochi folktale about Sheh Mureed and Hani, which dates back to the 15th century.
Hani by Ayaz Rangwani found me on YouTube. The song, much like its album cover, presents a form of Balochi rock that I haven’t experienced before. This novelty is perhaps due to the unfortunate neglect of Balochi songs and literature, evident in how even most native Pakistanis can't identify the language. However, Rangwani’s voice is captivating enough for one to make an effort to understand the song.
I find his choice of rock for a love song to be fitting, given its association with passion. In summary, Hani and Sheh Mureed were meant to be married, but in an absurd turn of events, Hani ended up marrying the Chief of the Rind Tribe, Chakar. Even when Chakar relinquishes his unrequited love, Sheh Mureed no longer accepts Hani’s love, having ascended to a more spiritual level and become an immortal saint. This love triangle essentially becomes a line of love with no place to go.
It’s fascinating that every culture has its variation of a tragic love story, suggesting there is some universal element, as these stories have withstood the test of time. Do we experience catharsis by witnessing tragedy through someone else? Are happy stories not as memorable? Could it be that tragic tales serve as cautionary tales that invariably fail, as humans only learn from mistakes by making them? Regardless of why we are drawn to them, they serve as proof that humans are fundamentally the same.
In the spirit of our shared humanity, I want to draw your attention to the recent devastating floods in Balochistan’s coastal region, including Gwadar. Any contributions and spreading the word about this news would be greatly appreciated. We’ll point your attention to local organizations recommended by Climate Finance Pakistan which include the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Madat Balochistan, Baloch Youth Action Committee, and Baloch Yakjehti Committee.