Kavishari, or Kavishri, (Punjabi: ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰੀ) was originated in the Malwa region of Punjab. In the region a "Chhand-Baddh" kavita (poetry) is sung faster in a loud yet stretched voice without any musical instruments known as kavishari.[3][4]
The people who write and sing kavishari are known as kavishars (Punjabi: ਕਵੀਸ਼ਰ). Kavishari is usually sung during melas, weddings, diwaans (religious concerts), mehfils and other celebrations.
He had his primary schooling from a neighbouring village of Banbiha, then high schooling in Moga and passed matriculation in 1912 from Barjindra High School, Faridkot.[2][5] He was a good athlete and football player. He was the captain of the cricket team of his school. Later on he graduated with diploma in civil engineering, commonly known as Overseeri in Punjab those days, from an engineering school in Gujrat district. He worked as an overseer in Irrigation department.[1][5] His first appointment as an Overseer was in Peshawar Tehsil (Pakistan).He also worked as an Overseer in village Akhara, Tehsil Jagraon (Ludhiana) at Canal Rest House Akhara (ref: an article by Labh Singh Sandhu in the leading newspaper "Punjabi Tribune" on 10 August 2012).[citation needed]
He was married to Bhago Begum, Rehmat Bibi, Fatima and Daulat Bibi and had – four sons Akaal Khan, Shamsher Khan, Adaalat Khan & Ali Sardar and two daughters Shamshad Begum & Gulzar Begum.[2][5]
Babu Ji entered the world of Kavishari with his first poem Heer Babu Rajab Ali.[citation needed]
He could not compromise with his love for singing and left his job in 1940.[citation needed]
Life in Pakistan
In 1947, after the independence, he had to leave his beloved village of Sahoke, his admirers, his students and his family history of hundred years and migrated to Pakistan.[5]
His family got some land allotted in Chak no. 32/2 Okara district of West Punjab and settled there, but his soul always wandered in Malwa.[2] He was madly in love with Malwa and his beloved Punjabi language and wrote hundreds of poems on his separation from his beloved people and village.
He visited the East Punjab in the March 1965.[1][2] Thousands of people including Kavishars, admirers and his students came to see their beloved Babu Ji.
Babu Ji died on 6 June 1979, singing songs and longing to see his beloved people and village again.[1][2][5]
Poems and literary work
Although, he was fluent in Punjabi and Urdu and knew some of Persian, Arabic and English, his poetry only in Punjabi expressing his love for Punjab and Punjabi.[2][5] His love for Punjab and Punjabi was unconditional and was not bound by walls of religion or nationality.[citation needed]
Bapu Bali Singh is considered to be the father of the kavishari of Majha. Joga Singh Jogi is one of the most famous kavishars of Majha.[3]
Bhai Maghi Singh Gill is another kavishar from Gill khurd village district Bathinda who worked very closely with Babu Rajab Ali Khan.
^ abcdefg"ਮਰਹੂਮ ਬਾਬੂ ਰਜਬ ਅਲੀ – ਬੈਂਤ". An article on Babu Rajab Ali in Punjabi language. punjabiaarsi.blogspot.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
