Discuss the contribution of Baba Farid and Bulleshah in the development of Vernacular literature in India.

Baba Farid’s most important contributions to Punjabi literature was his development of the language for literary purposes. Whereas Sanskrit, Arabic, Turkish and Persian had historically been considered the languages of the learned and the elite, and used in monastic centres, Punjabi was generally considered a less refined folk language. Although earlier poets had written in a primitive Punjabi, before Farid there was little in Punjabi literature apart from traditional and anonymous ballads. By using Punjabi as the language of poetry, Farid laid the basis for a vernacular Punjabi literature that would be developed later.
Punjab’s Faridkot takes its name from Baba Farid. He is recognized as the first major poet of the Punjabi Language. Baba Farid is also one the fifteen Sikh bhagats. Some parts of the poems of Baba Farid have been included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah and Shah Hussain are the most important pioneers of Kafi genre of poetry and singing.
Bulleh Shah was one of the most eminent Punjabi Sufi poet and philosopher who is best known for his Kafi verses.

Topics: GS-I: Indian Literature