Diverse Mentions of Crane Bird in Saraiki Poetry

Abstract

Crane is a migratory bird from Siberia (Russia) and enters the Saraiki region through the Suleman Mountain Range. The Crane flies in flocks with a specific discipline. Greeks and Romans believed the crane to be the symbol of spring and lights. It has Omens and divinatory meanings. In Japanese, Chinese and Korean culture, crane represents good fortune and long life. Crane is an abstemious bird and is used in Saraiki language as an expression with various references. It is often used as a manifestation of subordination, discipline, unity, tolerance, pain, separation, travelling, loyalty, desire, love, beauty and as a role model. It has been used as a symbol in both the modern and classic poetry and is the most affectionate expression of Saraiki poetry. The legendry Sufi Poets of Saraiki language Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar, Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid and Maluvi Lutf Ali have applied crane as a symbol of travelling, separation and pain. In the modern poetry, the renowned poets like Dr. Nasrullah Khan Nasir, Riffat Abbas, Ashoo Lal and Ahmed Khan Tariq along with other Saraiki poets have used the symbols of crane bird with entirely fresh essence and meaning.