This paper deals with the Sufi authorship and new dimensions of writing and composing Poetry, Sufi texts and comics.
Sufi authorship has different dimensions, ranging from writing or saying about mysticism, Sufi saints, or divine figures, in new forms of expression, such as poetry, graphic stories and Mushaira. While dealing with this in the tradition of Malabar’s Sufi authorship, it is seen in its different nature. Malabar has contributed a lot to the tradition sufi poetry through Mala Poetry written in Arabic-Malayalam such Safala Mala, Muhyuddeen Mala, and poems recited in the mystical insanity. This Mala tradition has given a new facet of Sufi poetry. In this tradition, some Mala poetry has fixed single authors, and others still remain in anonymity of authors while others are shared and collaborative. Adding stories from Prophetic tradition and words of wisdom by Sufs in these poems seem to echo the intertextual and interauthorial aspects Frischkopfean notion of Sufi poetry. And questions arise from appropriating poems to a mad mystic who reached the circle of Jazb, whether his poem is part of his creativity or will it be treated as ‘authorless’ object due to its composition during one’s Sufi madness. Impromptu Sufi poetry is mainly focus of some religious institute based competitions, which differs from the conventional system of Rekhtah/ Mushaira in which lines borrowed from the available Sufi poetry. In this impromptu poem, which is based on final letter of opposite contestant, the reciting person should create his own line from genius and perform it. The line should include some appraisal of prophet, or Sufi saints and it gives some important ideas on the original composition of the poems. Other interesting area where ambiguity of authorship arises is Sufi graphic stories such as Mulla Nasruddeen story. In Malabar, children’s literature is replete with stories from Sufi traditions which are narrated by author or compiler of the story giving some additional picture with comments. This act of graphic stories has given very distinct notion of authorship in which compiler of the stories is interconnected with original author of the story who can be the Sufi or his disciples. These are all modes of productions which seem to suggest emergence of new ideas of authorship.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Mala: New mode of Sufi poetry
Language, content, style
Interlinguality, Interauthoriality and Intertextuality of Mala
Jazb; Spiritual Madness and Question of Authorship
Creativity and Madness
Mysticism and Creativity
Mad Author, Intoxication: Spiritual and Drug
Mad Malabari Authors
Ambiguous Author of Sufi Comics
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This work examines the evolving nature of Sufi authorship in the Malabar region, specifically questioning traditional notions of individual literary ownership in favor of a more collaborative, collective, and hybrid model that spans from classical poetry to modern visual storytelling.
- The intersection of Sufi mysticism, creative genius, and the state of spiritual "madness" (Jazb).
- The linguistic hybridization in Mappila literature between Arabic and Malayalam.
- The role of the compiler-disciple in the creation and ascription of Sufi texts.
- The challenges of defining authorship within the collective production of Sufi-themed comics.
- The transformation of literary traditions from pre-colonial oral recitations to modern printed forms.
Excerpt from the Book
Mala: New mode of Sufi poetry
Mala is a new tradition of poetry which turned to be the part of customary folk songs of the Mappila community of Malabar. This poetry has been written borrowing from historical accounts collected from books of Tabaqat and Tareeq. This kind of poetry stands different from other Sufi poetry because it is prose in the verse, which is the history bound by poetic rythms and styles. Authors of these poems were effectively influenced by their Tariqa and Sufi Master, and the poems reflect this influence. These songs and hyms were composed in praise of indigenous Aulyas and Martyrs, but in tune with the Malappattu of Muhiyuddeen, Rifai and Badr Shahid. Recitation of these Malas was specific to particular need. At times, the Malas were chanted to ward off diseases. For E.g. Manjakula was recited to ward off small fox, to cure insanity and for protection from thieves. There is a shere paradox in publishing these works. Publishing houses of Kerala, had stringent policies regarding publication of the religious texts. Publishers’ ideology was purely against this kind of Sufi works, which diminishes the value of the texts, but on the contrary, they increasingly published them and exploited them for monetary benefits.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Establishes the diverse nature of authorship and introduces the unique cultural context of Malabar Sufism.
Mala: New mode of Sufi poetry: Describes the traditional folk poetry genre of the Mappila community, focusing on its historical origins and religious utility.
Language, content, style: Analyzes the Arabic-Malayalam hybridity that defines the Malas and influences their spiritual intensity.
Interlinguality, Interauthoriality and Intertextuality of Mala: Explores the theoretical networks between languages and authors that shape the existence of these texts.
Jazb; Spiritual Madness and Question of Authorship: Discusses the phenomenon of spiritual intoxication and the debate surrounding the authorship of works produced by Majzub Sufis.
Creativity and Madness: Examines the historical and philosophical connections between madness, divine inspiration, and literary creation.
Mysticism and Creativity: Investigates the triangular relationship between Sufism, creativity, and madness as seen in global and local examples.
Mad Author, Intoxication: Spiritual and Drug: Compares spiritual ecstasy with drug-induced states and the resulting complications in assigning accountability to the author.
Mad Malabari Authors: Focuses on the practical role of disciples as compilers in preserving the teachings of Malabari Majzub Sufis.
Ambiguous Author of Sufi Comics: Critically reviews the collective authorship involved in the adaptation of Sufi stories into modern graphic formats.
Keywords
Sufism, Malabar, Mappila literature, Authorship, Mala, Arabic-Malayalam, Intertextuality, Jazb, Spiritual Madness, Collective Authorship, Mysticism, Majzub, Sufi Comics, Folklore, Religious Poetry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work investigates the unique concept of authorship within the Sufi literary tradition of Malabar, challenging standard views of the singular, individual author.
What are the central themes discussed?
The themes include the hybrid nature of Mappila literature, the impact of spiritual ecstasy on creativity, the role of compilers, and the adaptation of religious narratives into modern visual media.
What is the main research question?
The research asks how the collaborative and mystical context of Sufi texts in Malabar redefines the traditional criteria for who can be called an author and how authorship is assigned.
Which methodologies are employed?
The author uses a qualitative, analytical approach, integrating literary theory, historical context, and the examination of religious texts and oral traditions.
What is covered in the main section of the book?
The main part analyzes specific genres like the 'Mala' poetry, the linguistic challenges of Arabic-Malayalam, the connection between madness and divine creativity, and the modern production of Sufi comics.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Sufi authorship, Malabar, Mappila literature, collective authorship, and mystical creativity.
What is the significance of the "Jazb" state in this study?
Jazb is significant because it explores how spiritual intoxication affects the capacity of a Sufi to act as an author, often necessitating the intervention of a disciple as a compiler.
How does the work address the adaptation of Sufi stories into comics?
The author argues that comics represent a form of collective authorship where the roles of the writer, illustrator, and compiler make it difficult to assign sole responsibility to one individual.
- Quote paper
- Muhamed Riyaz Chenganakkattil (Author), 2016, Sufi Authorship of Malabar. New Dimensions of Writing and Composing Poetry, Sufi Texts and Comics, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/369555
