Noorie crosses the desert

Trekking across a hot desert, Noorie hears a voice calling out to her, amidst the hot winds and shining sands. The voice sounds like it belongs to another century. It draws her closer, until she encounters Abdul Jaat & Ataullah Jaat, who gently guide her into the world of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai and his poetry.

Bhitai is a 17th century writer and poet. His poetry travels across a vast expanse. As he writes, the listener can imagine Sindh and its neighbouring regions, travelling far with the Sindhi sailors (Samundi). Through his poetry, the canvas of ordinary people’s lives is revealed, like the cattle breeders and the pastoralists. He breathes life into landscapes, describing the geographical uniqueness of regions, cultures, traditions, animals, and the daily mysteries of life.

In this episode, Abdul Jaat and Ataullah Jaat, sufi musicians, sing the Dastaan of Marui and Madu transporting Noorie to the kingdom of Umarkot, where she encounters Marui. Marui belongs to the pastoralist community and is kidnapped by Umar who is bewitched by her beauty. She refuses to be tempted by the palace and its riches, stays resolute in her commitment to her homeland and yearns for the day she can return. Tune in to listen to Marui's story with Noorie!

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Aarab Jat and Ataullah Jat I belong to the Jat tribe community of Kachchh, Gujarat. They are renowned sufi musicians, with an incredible knowledge and musical skill in performing Bhitai's surs and poetry. In this episode, they are joined by Asif Rayama, who has been actively studying and documenting Bhitai's poetry and its continuing relevance across the landscape of Kutch today.

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Concept: Ekta & Angarika, maraa a media & arts collective

Voice of Noorie: Ekta & Angarika

Recordings: Gaurav Krishna & Ishan Gupta

Sound design: Gaurav Krishna & Advik

Design Concept: Ekta

Design & Illustrations: Thara Thomas

Video Podcast: Malavika Mishra

Production Support: Team Maraa

With support from Goethe Institut Max Mueller Bhavan