Growing up in Pakistan, I’ve heard lots of stories about my culture and heritage from my parents, grandparents, and relatives.

These stories are a tapestry woven by generations, passed down from storyteller to listener, across bustling bazaars or festivals.

I remember my grandmother, who practices Sufism, used to recite verses from “Aaj Rang Hai,” a Sufi ode to divine love by the Persian poet Amir Khusro.

His ghazal (poem) is sung as a contemporary song by Hadiqa Kiani, whose melodious voice, along with the heartfelt lyrics, evoke profound emotions within me whenever I hear the song. I find its rendition captivating and heartwarming, since the song reminds me of precious childhood memories with my grandmother.

The song “Aaj Rang Hai” translates to “Today There Is a Glow.” The word Rang translates to “color” in Urdu, but in the poem’s context it refers to “glow” or “radiance.”

There are many different legends explaining the use of the word Rang in the song. Most of them point to the fact that Khusro sang these lines to his mother with intense joy upon finding his beloved spiritual master, Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya.

As my grandmother narrated:

“Once upon a time…

When Khusro came back from the dargah (temple) of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, he told his mother that the place was so unique that it almost took his breath away. He was blinded by the Noor (light, splendor) and Faiz (grace) of his spiritual guru.

He had wandered the vast lands of the country, and even foreign lands, but had never come across any place that could give him so much happiness and peace.”

This poem reflects the Sufi tradition of love and devotion, which emphasizes the transformative power of the divine. The poet's devotion to his spiritual master is presented as a spiritual rebirth, bringing light and color into their world. Thus, it delves into the idea of love as a transformative force that imbues life with vibrancy and meaning.

The Role of Oral Traditions

Storytelling in Pakistan is a mosaic of diverse voices, reflecting its multiculturalism, linguistic plurality, and regional nuances. Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, and other native languages are vehicles for storytelling, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of narratives.

In the contemporary era, storytelling has found its way to new digital platforms such as podcasts, audiobooks, and even viral videos. The methods of storytelling continue to evolve, reflecting changing tastes, technologies, and social dynamics while preserving the essence of cultural heritage. Thus, storytelling isn’t confined to ancient oral traditions and has evolved over time.

New technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), are revolutionizing storytelling by offering new possibilities for cultural representation, personalized experiences, and religious interpretation. AI-generated content is uniquely suited to revolutionizing storytelling because it can process and synthesize vast amounts of data, including cultural texts, historical records, and personal narratives, to create rich, diverse, and inclusive stories. This technology can identify patterns and themes across different cultures and epochs, which can then be woven into new narratives that reflect a broader spectrum of human experience. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, AI can generate stories that adapt to the cultural context and personal preferences of the audience, providing a more personalized experience.

Furthermore, AI can assist in preserving and promoting indigenous folklore, regional myths, and minority perspectives by giving them a platform that might not be available in mainstream media. It can analyze and replicate linguistic styles and storytelling techniques unique to different cultures, thus helping to maintain the authenticity of these narratives while making them accessible to a wider audience. It can also facilitate the translation of these stories into multiple languages, breaking down language barriers.

However, the ethical and cultural implications of AI storytelling must be carefully considered to ensure that it fosters inclusivity, authenticity, and respect for diverse cultural and religious traditions. The use of AI in storytelling raises questions about authorship and cultural appropriation, particularly when AI-generated content draws from culturally sensitive or sacred material. There is a risk of perpetuating stereotypes, misrepresentations, or biases in AI-generated narratives if they are not carefully monitored and curated. Furthermore, increased reliance on AI for storytelling could potentially diminish the role of human creativity, intuition, and empathy in the storytelling process, leading to a loss of cultural authenticity.

Despite the prevalence of technology and increased globalization, storytelling remains a dynamic and universal tradition, transcending time and space, connecting generations and cultures. Across diverse cultures and religions, storytelling plays a pivotal role in shaping identities, transmitting values, and fostering communal bonds. The art of narration, whether spoken, sung, or gestured, binds local communities and ignites our imaginations. The primary focus of storytelling is the preservation of collective heritage. It is a craft that has been honed by countless generations, each adding their own thread to the rich tapestry of oral history. In Pakistani culture, it serves as a bridge between the past and the present. It’s about embracing the new without losing sight of the old, about finding harmony between tradition and innovation. Through mediums like Sufi poetry, storytellers can express their unique identities, perspectives, and experiences, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among different communities.