‘Redolence’: Sachal Sarmast’s Verses translated, Published in India by Gayatri Lakhiani Chawla and Lajwanti K. Jaisinghani
- The book is a collaborative effort between award-winning poet and translator Gayatri Lakhiani Chawla and spiritual teacher Lajwanti K. Jaisinghani. Together, they have translated the kafi—a traditional form of Sufi poetry
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI
On the occasion of World Poetry Day, a significant literary milestone was marked with the announcement of Redolence: The Greatest Poems of Sachal Sarmast.
Published by Om International Books and represented by The Book Bakers, this new collection brings the ecstatic verses of the 18th-century Sindhi mystic, Sachal Sarmast, to a contemporary English-speaking audience.
The project is a collaborative effort between award-winning poet and translator Gayatri Lakhiani Chawla and spiritual teacher Lajwanti K. Jaisinghani. Together, they have translated the kafi—a traditional form of Sufi poetry—capturing the raw, “Sachal” (truthful) essence of a poet often referred to as the “Sarmast” (ecstatic).
The book is rooted in the philosophical framework of Wahdat-ul-Wujood (the Unity of Existence). This doctrine suggests that there is no inherent separation between the Creator and the creation. In the tradition of the great Sufi masters, Chawla and Jaisinghani’s translations explore:
The Dissolution of Self: Moving beyond the ego to find the divine within.
Universalism: Transcending the boundaries of creed, caste, and religion to focus on the “inner truth.
“Folklore and Allegory: Utilizing local Sindhi legends and metaphors to illustrate the soul’s longing for the Beloved.
“Redolence is a collection that delves into the message of love and unity, intertwining allegories and folklore into a beautiful mesh of the seeker and the divine,” the authors noted during the announcement.
The collaboration brings together two distinct but complementary voices.
Gayatri Lakhiani Chawla, award-winning poet and translator, brings a polished, lyrical sensibility and expertise in international literary standards. Lajwanti K. Jaisinghani, spiritual teacher rooted in Sikh and Sufi traditions, provides deep linguistic fluency and a spiritual understanding of the original scripts.
The Poet of Seven Languages, Sachal Sarmast (1739–1829) of Sindh remains one of the most revered figures in the Indian subcontinent’s mystical history. Known as Haft-i-Zaban (the poet of seven languages), his work in Sindhi, Seraiki, Persian, and Urdu challenged the orthodoxies of his time. By translating these works into English, the authors aim to recreate a “timeless world of mystical devotion” for a global audience, ensuring that the Sufi message of Ishq (Love) as both the path and the destination remains accessible in the 21st century.
The book, which the authors describe as a “dream project brought to fruition,” is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of Sindhi literature and its ability to foster unity through the shared language of the heart.
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Great work, appreciate it