February 5, 2002

The year 2001 saw significant progress in creative Sindhi writing — both prose and poetry. The most significant factor was the move to activate the historical societies, and literary organizations as well as hold seminars and mushairas even in remote semi-urban settlements of the province. New talent was encouraged and a lot of diversity emerged as a result.

Poetry and fiction remained the most popular, though there was a visible trend towards religious books and inspirational literature which were welcome given the stresses and strains of life beset with problems rooted in recession, over population and political instability. Of the four popular monthly journals, three, that is, Al-Sindh (Islamabad), Bedaari (Hyderabad) and Shariat (Sukkur) are devoted to religious writings. Only the monthly Sojhro (Karachi) is devoted to the cause of progressive thought.

In keeping with this trend, the year saw the publication of the Sindhi translation of Tafseer-i-Usmani by Muharram Ali Tagar (Sindh National Academy, Hyderabad), Tafseer Ilhaam-ur-Rehman, (commentary in Sindhi on selected chapters of Holy Quran) by Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi (Sindhica, Karachi), Sindhi translations of Hayaat-i-Muhammed by Muhammad Hussain Haikal (Sindhica) and Rehmat-ul-Aalameen by Taufique al-Hakim (Sindh National Academy, Hyderabad).

Mehran Academy (Shikarpur) published nine books dealing with literary criticism in Sindhi prose and poetry by Dr Shaikh Muhammad Ibrahim Khalil, Shah Latif’s journey to the desert areas of Sindh by Ma’amoor Yousufani, and Aurat — maazi, haal, mustaqbil by Abdul Malik Engineer. The Sindh National Academy (Hyderabad) brought out Khawateen jo guldasto, a guide identical to an Urdu classic, Bihishtee Zewar for the guidance of Muslim women; Illam jadded jo challenge by Molvi Waheed-ud-Din Khan, translated by Muharram Ali Tagar, and Parvezi fikr hik mutalio by different Aalims, translated by Altaf Ahmed Bhutto.

The federal and provincial governments-aided bodies like Sindhi Adabi Board, Institute of Sindhiology (Jamshoro) and Sindhi Language Authority (Hyderabad) continued their normal activities. The S.A. Board reprinted five volumes of Lok Kahaniyoon compiled by Dr N.A. Baloch and Dr Abdul Jabbar Junejo’s bibliography on Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. The Sindhi Language Authority published Harp Jo Qanun (Sindh Tenancy Act) in Sindhi besides Sindhi Darsi Kitab 1 & 2 and some story books for children.

The Sukkur Historical Society held a two-day “Sukkur through centuries national seminar - 2001” and also published 15 books in Sindhi, Urdu, Persian and English, which covered historical literary, biographical and economic aspects of Sukkur and its environs which made a lot of unpublished research material by scholars like Pir Ali Muhammad Rashdi available to readers.

Nao dero, nawaan puraana waraqa is a prestigious volume produced by Nao Dero Historical Society. Edited by Qazi Qamaruddin, the chairman of the society, it is a comprehensive account of the town, once known as the “city of gardens”. Its origin dated back to the Kalhora period (1700-1782). Besides its old grandeur, the book provides an authentic account of personalities who contributed towards its glory in the field of education, economics, politics, arts and crafts, poetry and prose. It also surveys various social, industrial, educational and health institutions and gives the background of some aristocratic families. It is an encyclopaedic handbook.

The Larkana Historical Society held a one-day seminar — “Larkana through the centuries.” The speakers dealt with the different historical aspects of the town. On the occasion, Cadet College, Larkana published a booklet entitled Muhammad bin Qasim, founder of Muslim Sindh. The staff and the students of the college contributed articles which offer absorbing information in a lucid style.

Laar sadiyan khann, Seraeki sha’ari jo hik mutalio and Sindhi adab — hik mutalio written by Prof Dr Abdul Jabbar Junejo highlight the literary traditions and ancient archaeological and socio-economic history of the lower Indus basin.

Some poetry collections published in 2001 were a treat for the readers. Lurk and murk (tears & smile) by the late Rashid Ahmed Lashari, a doyen of Sindhi poetry, was one of these. Another voluminous publication was Kulyat-i-Masroor (volume 1), a collection of Sindhi and Seraiki poetry of Faqir Ghulam Ali Masroor (1894-1953), the last one of the chain of mystic Sindhi poets of Sachal Sarmast school.

Biographies also emerged as a popular genre. Tazkrah Makhdooman-e-Hala (1790-1944) (Talibul Moula Academy, Hala) is the third volume of a series which is an account of one of the important Sajjadah in Sindh wielding both spiritual as well as temporal power. The book covers the life and times of seven Makhdoman-i-Hala, their mystic poetry, children, friends and disciples.

Benazir Bhutto: jidujahad ji kahani is the Sindhi translation of Shaikh Muhammad Ali’s book which traces the origin and past of the Bhutto family and the life of Benazir who later became the prime minister of Pakistan.

Mohya kenh na mall deals with the life and times of a forgotten hero of the Pakistan movement, Syed Ali Akbar Shah of Mehar (Dadu, Sindh). The book recaptures some rare events connected with the Pakistan movement.

Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro, personality and politics (Sagar Publishing House, Karachi) is a detailed account of the first elected political leader assassinated after the enforcement of Government of India Act, 1935 under which Sindh was delinked from the Bombay Presidency and made a separate province. The book is a miscellany of 23 articles/poems depicting different aspects of the illustrious life of Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro (1900-1943). However, it lacks authenticity as the contributions are one-sided version of some political events and are mostly sentimental. Allah Bux Soomro (Apostle of Secular harmony) by Khadim Hussain Soomro is a better and more informative book on the subject.

Tanvir Abbasi — hik mutalio by Prof Dr Abdul Jabbar Junejo (Gang Bakhsh Kitab Ghar, Hyderabad), is a tribute to the sagacity of his poetic heritage and veracity of his prose compositions. He was a source of inspiration for youngsters and a sincere friend of contemporaries. The book is a companion volume to an earlier publication: Tanvir Chae, a complete poetic volume published by the Institute of Sindhiology, Jamshoro (Sindh).

Among the biographies of the year, the most prominent and educative is Comilla Khann Orangi taeen: tajraba aen mushahda (City Press, Karachi). It is a collection of articles and addresses by Akhtar Hamid Khan (1914-1999), a social scientist who dedicated his whole life to the service of the poor. The book elucidates his philosophy and strategy to change the life style in rural areas and slums in congested urban settlements on self-help basis.

On the academic side, the publication of a comprehensive English-to-Sindhi dictionary (Kifayet Academy, Karachi) is a big leap forward. Simple accessible coverage of about one lac current English words by Abdul Rashid Memon, a technocrat bureaucrat is an important milestone in the history of lexicography in Sindh and itself is a tour de force.

Makli Hill (Thatta) is an ancient centre of Islamic culture in Sindh. Prof. Dr. Annemarie Schimmel delivered the first Syed Hussamuddin Rashdi Memorial lecture under the auspices of the Institute of Central and West Asian Studies, University of Karachi. The book was translated by Dr Nawaz Ali Shauq into colloquial Sindhi and contains besides a historical survey, an account of the many myths which have been disseminated taboos among the masses.

Tarikh Soomrah Sindh by Wazir Ali Soomro (Ibn Ismail Soomrah Publications) is an example of literary activity in the rural areas of Sindhi. The book is a research treatise describing the rise and fall of the Soomro dynasty from the Arabian peninsula to the lower Indus valley.

After successful completion of his 10-volume research on Shah jo Risalo and a volume on the life and works of Qazi Qadan, a ninth century (A.H) mystic poet, Dr Nabi Bakhsh Baloch embarked upon re-arranging his diaries and stray thoughts spread over a period of 50 years (1950-2000), resulting in the publication of a series of booklets under the title of Rehaann, Heeran Khann.

The Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai Chair and Sindhi Department of the University of Karachi brought out the second volume of Shah jo Risalo, researched and compiled by Banho Khan Shaikh. This volume covers eight dastaans (chapters) of the Risalo. The continued publication of Shah Latif’s poetry demonstrates its durable magnificence.

Allama Syed Suleman Nadvi’s famous lectures, Khutbaat-i-Madras are being published in Sindhi (Isha’at-e-Islam Society, Karachi). They are credited as being the most informative and absorbing account of different aspects of the Seerat of the Holy Prophet. Two pamphlets: Amali pahloo aur amaliyat, and Kamliyat translated by Naseer Soomro were published besides some tracts of Maulana Abul A’lla Maududi.

Mooal zamir jo marsiyo (Faran Publishers, Karachi), a free verse Sindhi translation by Agha Noor Muhammad/Ghous Pirzado, of Aqeel Ahmed Fizza Azami’s master piece, Marsia-i-marg-i-zamir (Javedan) is a valuable addition to Sindhi literature. It is a long poem lamenting the socio-moral and political decay in Pakistan. Its satire running throughout the poem is pungent.

Vichhoray jo autograph by Abid Mazhar (Dawood Publishers, New Karachi) and Ubh haithan unjrra geet luchan (Thirsty songs loath beneath sky) by Abdul Gaffar ‘Tabassum’ (Khalil Jibran Publishers, Karachi), are representative collection of young progressive Sindhi poets and a proud present to new generation. Likewise, Chand, sanam aen sha’ery by Lutuf Siyal (Soonhari Isha’at Ghar, Qazi Ahmed) and Aakhri shaam by Ghulam Nabi Gul (Wajahat Publications, Larkana) represent a new trend in Sindhi poetry. Adh wahee, a collection of short stories by Razaq Sahito, (Saif Publications, Karachi) and Na rahoon sanh halendiyoon hin, a novel by Ghulam Nabi Gul (Wajahat Publication, Larkana) are bold exposures of social evils.

Sakhar ser na sandheen is a rebuttal of Lambrick’s popular book Terrorist dealing with the Hur movement in Sindh. Dr Sakhar Din Dars (1964-2000) was a practising medical officer and a staunch follower of Pir Pagaro. The book also contains Dr Sakhar’s critical articles on different topics, his diary notes and obituary notes by people of different walks of life on his assassination.

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