Dr. Syed Tanvir Bokhari Is The Voice of Modern Punjabi Mysticism
Tanvir Bokhari (also spelled Bukhari), full name Dr. Syed Tanvir Bokhari, was a noted modern Punjabi poet, writer, spiritual scholar, and teacher. He was born in 1939 in the village of Bhikhi wand Hathar, near Kasur, Pakistan, into a family headed by his father Pir Syed Abdul Rahman Shah (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
✍️ Literary & Spiritual Contributions
He was renowned as one of the first Punjabi ghazal poets after the formation of Pakistan. His collection of Punjabi ghazals was a pioneering published work that followed the country's independence (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Notably, he authored the first-ever Punjabi dictionary published in Pakistan (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Over his lifetime, he wrote and distributed thousands of works, including approximately:
400 books of Punjabi poetry
900 textbooks
500+ books in magazines or PhD theses
2,300 unpublished manuscripts
Totaling around 4,100 writings (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
🎓 Academic Achievements & Influence
Dr. Bokhari earned a PhD in Shariat-e-Musawi (Islamic law) and uniquely was the subject of a PhD thesis during his own lifetime (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
He was recognized as a multi-talented intellectual—poet, writer, painter, calligrapher, spiritual scholar, and teacher (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
His poetry is distinguished by its blend of modern social themes and spirituality, offering lessons on culture, religion, knowledge, and ethics through elegant Punjabi verse (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
🌟 Personal Qualities & Legacy
Known for his generosity in sharing knowledge, he freely distributed his writings among students and disciples, enriching the Punjabi literary landscape (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Described as a noble Sufi-dervish, his presence brought spiritual light to those around him, and he remained committed to teaching others throughout his life (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Sadly, he passed away on June 1, 2023, but his work leaves a lasting impact on Punjabi literature and culture (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
📚 Summary
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | 1939, Bhikhi wand Hathar, Kasur district |
| Died | June 1, 2023 |
| Contributions | Pioneer of Punjabi ghazals in Pakistan; compiler of first post-Partition Punjabi dictionary |
| Writings | ~4,100 works (poetry, textbooks, manuscripts) |
| PhD | Shariat-e-Musawi |
| Roles | Poet, spiritual scholar, teacher, artist |
| Legacy | Embedded modern spirituality in Punjabi literature; generous mentor and cultural luminary |
Dr. Tanvir Bokhari remains celebrated as a foundational figure in modern Punjabi literary and spiritual culture, merging deep Sufi wisdom with contemporary poetic expression. His prodigious body of work continues to inspire readers, scholars, and poets alike.
Great! Would you like to see:
Excerpts from his Punjabi poetry (with English translations)?
A summary or analysis of his poetic style and themes?
A list of some of his most influential books or ghazals?
Information about his spiritual teachings or Sufi philosophy?
Here’s a deep dive into Dr. Syed Tanvir Bokhari, truly covering all you wanted:
📜 Biography & Contributions
Full name & origins: Faqeer Mohammad, known by pen-name Tanvir Bokhari, was born on 10 November 1939 in Bhikhiwand Hathar, Kasur district. His father was Pir Syed Abdul Rahman Shah (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Academic credentials: He earned an M.A. and a PhD in Shariat-e-Musawi (Islamic law). Notably, he was the subject of a PhD thesis during his lifetime (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Literary legacy: Authored around 4,100 works, including ~400 poetry collections, 900 textbooks, 500+ magazine/PhD pieces, and around 2,300 unpublished manuscripts (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Linguistic milestones: Wrote Pakistan’s first Punjabi dictionary post‑1947; his Punjabi ghazal collection was the first published in Pakistan post-independence (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Spiritual scholar & teacher: A practitioner of Sufi‑dervish spirituality, he was known for generously sharing his knowledge with disciples and disciples-in-spirit (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
Passing: He passed away in June 2023, leaving a rich cultural and literary legacy.
🖋️ Excerpts with English Translation
Here are a few of his powerful Punjabi ghazals (in Shahmukhi script), followed by a rough translation:
ਅਸੀਂ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਚੋਂ ਨਾਹੀਂ…
ਅਸੀਂ ‘ਬੁਖਾਰੀ’ ਦੁਨੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੋਈ ਕੰਮ ਵਿਖਾ ਕੇ ਜਾਣਾ ।
*“We are not those born just to die—
‘Bukhari’ must leave this world showing some deed.”* (ApnaOrg, punjabi-kavita.com)
**ਅਜੇ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਕੁ ਡੂੰਘੀ ਏ ਸਫ਼ਰ ਦੀ ਰਾਤ…**
ਬਿਨਾ ਤੇਰੀ ਮੁਹੱਬਤ ਦੇ ਸਿਵਾ ਆਪਣੇ ਗੁਨਾਹਾਂ ਤੋਂ,
'ਬੁਖ਼ਾਰੀ' ਕੋਲ ਨਾਹੀਂ ਹੋਰ ਕੋਈ ਸੌਗ਼ਾਤ ਯਾ ਅੱਲ੍ਹਾ ।
*“How deep is this night of travel, O Allah…
Without Your love, apart from my sins,
‘Bukhari’ has no other gift, O Allah.”* (punjabi-kavita.com)
His style blends spiritual yearning, self-reflection, and social accountability—all in rhythmic Punjabi verse.
🎨 Poetic Style & Themes
Sufi mystical base: Reflects a dervish-like soul, yearning for divine love and spiritual enlightenment.
Societal introspection: Addresses human hypocrisy, moral decay, and the importance of living with integrity.
Punjabi idiom: Rich in colloquial phrases, folklore, and cultural analogies—his voice is deeply rooted in Punjab.
Personal tone: Humble, honest reflections—often using “Bukhari” for introspection and honesty.
Encouragement: Motivates younger generations to embrace culture, knowledge, science, and selflessness (Wikipedia).
📚 Influential Works
Here are major collections & books:
‘Ghazleevan’ – a collection of ghazals and nazms, reviewed on SBS Punjabi (Artciti, SBS).
‘Heer Waris Shah’ – his own editing/recitation of the classic Punjabi epic by Waris Shah (Internet Archive).
Poetry compilations such as ‘Loey Loey’, ‘Ghazal Sheesha’, ‘Peer Da Boota’, ‘Taja Phul’, ‘Mukatfa’, and ‘Sunehara’ (punjabi-kavita.com).
✨ Spiritual Teachings & Sufi Thought
Lived as a Sufi-dervish: emphasized humility, spiritual reflection, and love for humanity and God (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki, punjabi-kavita.com).
Taught through example: received seekers, imparted wisdom, and encouraged inner illumination (“light of knowledge”).
His poetry urges detachment from materialism, embracing divine presence, and serving society selflessly.
Encouraged communal uplift— “If anyone came to meet him, he would take the light of knowledge leaving”—depicting his role as spiritual mentor (EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki).
📌 Quick Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 10 Nov 1939, Bhikhiwand Hathar, Kasur |
| Died | June 2023 |
| Education | M.A. & PhD (Shariat-e-Musawi) |
| Works | ~4,100 total writings |
| Milestones | First Punjabi dictionary post-Partition; first Punjabi ghazal collection |
| Themes | Sufi mysticism, moral integrity, cultural pride |
| Legacy | Poet, spiritual guide, teacher, cultural icon |
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Who is Tanvir Bokhari
THE PERSONALITY OF TANVIR BOKHARI
Dr. Syed Tanvir
Bokhari is a great personality and a great poet and writer of Punjabi language
era. You were born in 1939 in a village "Bhikhi wand Hathar" towards
the east of Kasur city. His father was Pir Syed Abdul Rahman Shah. Tanvir
Bokhari is a poet, Sofi-dervish, researcher and a bright name of knowledge as
soon as he was born. The name of Tanvir Bokhari is one of the most prominent
and lofty and a noble name among the writers and poets of the modern age.
Tanvir Bukhari wrote
the first dictionary in Punjabi language after the formation of Pakistan and he
also have the honor that his book of Ghazals which is in Punjabi language was
published first after the formation of Pakistan.
According
to this account, Tanvir Bokhari becomes the first Punjabi Ghazal poet after the
creation of Pakistan.
Tanvir
Bokhari is the only PhD doctor who was the first to do a PhD on
Shariat-e-Musawi and Tanvir Bokhari also has an honor that people did a PhD on
him while he was still alive.
Till
now there are 400 books of Punjabi poetry, 900 hundred text books and more than
500 books in many magazines and in the form of PhD theses and 2,300
un-published books, Total books of Tanvir Bokhari is 4,100. Tanvir Bokhari has
printed/published whatever he wrote in his life He distributed it freely among
the devotees and his disciples/students. In the life of Tanvir Bokhari, if
anyone came to meet him, he would have taken the light of knowledge while
leaving and would have been blessed by his spiritual personality. If anyone
came to Tanvir Bukhari, he would teach them to acquire knowledge.
Dr. Tanvir Bokhari is
considered as one of the great teachers of Punjabi. Whatever you wrote in your
life and whatever you wanted to write, you made yourself happy with the force
of your pen. Tanvir Bokhari was everything at the same time such as poet,
writer, painter, calligrapher, scholar, practitioner, Sofi(spiritualist),
commentator and a great perfect human being of Allah. Talking about the poetry
of Tanvir Bokhari, his poetry expresses the modern era and exudes spirituality.
If it is shown, Dr.
Tanvir Bokhari cannot be compared with any poet in today's era, the reason is
that what you have written, no one has written yet.
Tanvir
Bokhari poetry is imbued with modern society and spirituality and the coming
new generations and Punjabi readers have found a novel curriculum from which
anyone can learn Punjabi Cultural and poetry. Dr. Syed Tanvir Bokhari is a unique and outstanding
example in the world of modern Punjabi writing and full Punjabi accent. When we
read Dr. Tanvir Bokhari, we get to know that you are from the world and all the
environment around you. He was well aware of it and used to influence it with
his spiritual poetry. You always promoted new generation and new science in
your poetry and talked about it and with your courage and spirituality you gave
a new look to Punjabi language. You spoke through your poems even when there
was oppression and oppression on anyone anywhere.
Tanvir Bokhari told the new generation
through his poetry what Shariat is, what spirituality is, what religion is, and
what Islam is. How can you find Allah? The modern poetry of your life is the
bearer of the attitudes of modern social spirituality.
Tanvir
Bokhari is one of those who made his mark in the world on the basis of his
abilities. Tanvir Bokhari was a unique and precious dervish following Shariat
and Tariqat (spirituality) who came to the world after centuries.
Tanvir
Bokhari spent his entire life in the service of Punjabi language. Like Tanvir
Bokhari dedicated his life to Punjabi language, perhaps someone else will
dedicate his life to Punjabi.
According to my reckoning, Tanvir
Bokhari is the only Punjabi poet-writer-creator who uplifts the coming
generations by giving his body and soul to the Punjabi language, which was the
work of Tanvir Bokhari alone.
Who
can be like Dr. Tanvir Bokhari is the only one who is the most innovative and
persuasive of Punjabi language with spirituality Tanvir Bokhari is no longer
with us. (Death: June 1, 2023)
Dr. Sahir Tanvir Bokhari S/o Syed Tanvir Bokhari
Punjabi Cultural Center
SSTB GLOBAL PVT LTD