|
|
June 9, 2002
REVIEWS: Of brotherhood and love
Saami — his real name was Bhai Chain Roy (1743-1850) — was a poet of outstanding creative power and literary skill. His mystic poems have enchanted Sindhi society for over 250 years. Saami, was born in Shikarpur, the historical city of Sindh.
Life, death, happiness, sorrows, the beauty of nature, hope in love’s triumph and other concepts and emotions, fill his baits (a classical form of Sindhi poetry) with an air of reality. But the powerful metaphor and the subtlest vision of his poetry remain the sacredness of brotherhood and the mystical beauty of love.
Poets naturally use symbols and similes to disseminate their message to the masses forcefully and eloquently. Saami also uses immaculate symbolism and striking similes, his basic symbol being Maya. His book Saami ja Saloak has gained fame just as Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s Shah jo risalo. The following verse illustrates his powerful thought:
The soul is like sun
If the blind man said:
“There is no sun”
The sun did not vanish.
The book under review is a collection of articles about Saami’s personality and poetry. The articles were originally written for a literary magazines and newspapers and have been compiled by Dr Anwer Figar Hakro, a popular Sindhi poet. Hakro is the author of a biography of Shaikh Ayaz Janam janam jee jeet Ayaz. Devoted to Shikarpur, his birthplace, Hakro has documented this city in his PhD thesis.
This slim volume under review is an informative publication and should enlighten the reader about Saami. Containing 17 articles contributed by Jhethmal Parsram, Lutufullah Badvi, Sushila Motvani, Bhoaj Raj, Rishi Dia Ram, Kalyan Advani, Shiva Ram, Dr Abdul Karim Sandilo, Dr Abdul Jabbar Junejo, Kimat Roy, Deep Chandur, Kirishn Rahi, Gordhan Sharma, Dr Tahmina Mufti and the compiler, Saami sagar boond mein offers a glossy overview of the various aspects of Saami’s life and poetry. All those who admire Saami would love to own it. The cover carries a sketch of the famous poet by K.B. Abro.
Saami sagar boond mein
Compiled by Dr Anwer Figar Hakro
Prem Sagar Publication, Swami Narain Temple Estate, Opposite KMC Head Office,
M.A. Jinnah Road, Karachi
150pp. Rs100
|
|
|
