In the death of Murad Ali Mirza, Sindh has lost a brilliant short story writer, broadcaster, playwright and translator.

Born on August 15, 1929 in Tando Agha, Hyderabad to a well-known Mirza family whose contribution toward literature was established, Murad Ali acquired his early education in Hyderabad and post-graduation degree from the University of Sindh.

Being grandson of Mirza Budhal Beg, a sensitive elegy poet, he got an atmosphere where only education and literature meant life.

He attempted to write at quite a young age and later attended literary sessions convened by the Sindhi Adabi Sangat where young and veteran writers used to assemble. These sessions proved to be learning sessions for many upcoming writers and poets.

Murad Ali Mirza later joined the Radio Pakistan but his association with literature did not stop. He wrote short stories and translated many which were published by literary magazines like monthly Naeen Zindagi and quarterly Mehran.

Mr Mirza had flair of his own, in translations He translated into Sindhi, selection of world’s best stories which were published by the Sindhi Adabi Board in 1968.

He also compiled and edited an Urdu book titled Moj Moj Mehran.

His other translation work include Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One

Hundred Years of Solitude,” It was indeed a good translation with all virtues of the great laureate. He also translated Akhtar Hameed’s work Komila to Korangi. His last translation was Benazir Bhutto’s book Daughter of the East.

Murad Ali Mirza also wrote radio plays and drama serials which reflect his selection of topics and the way he treated his characters.

His study of Tagore, Allama Iqbal, Shah Latif and Shaikh Ayaz added to his style and understanding of great poets. After retirement from radio, he also worked as the secretary of Sindhi Language Authority but did not continue for long.

He was a recipient of President’s Pride of Performance award for his service to the promotion of literature.