LARKANA: In order to spread the message of religious and social harmony, the Larkana chapter of the Sindhi Adabi Sangat (SAS), in collaboration with Civil Society Support Programme (CSSP), held a ‘Rawadari Mushaira’ (harmony mushaira) at the local press club on Sunday. It was presided over by noted poet, writer and educationist Professor Mukhtiar Samo.

A large number of poets and poetry lovers from all over the district gathered together, braving the frequent electricity outages and the city’s hot weather.

The mushaira saw poets of all ideological hues, seniors and juniors, who came together to share their subtle but thought-provoking ideas about harmony, love, brotherhood and tolerance through ghazals, poems and local Sindhi poetic genres like geet and waaee. The appetite of the audience was insatiable and they appreciated the poets with high-spirited applause.

Professor Mukhtiar Samo in his address spoke about how the land enjoys a rich history of Sufism which represents love, tolerance and harmony. The mystics of this land many of whom were great poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast, Saami and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar always advocated harmony and love not only through their poetry but also in the way they led their lives.

He said the need of the hour was to stand together and resist extremism in society. Poetry, he believed, is an effective tool through which messages of peace, love and harmony may be spread. He appreciated the CSSP for organising the event in collaboration with a literary forum like SAS.

Speaking on the occasion, Zulfkar Siyal, poet and former secretary general of SAS, said that such gatherings strengthen love amongst people of all shades. Poetry and literature are instrumental in promoting peace and bringing together people despite their differences.

Syed Iqbal Babu, president of the Larkana Press Club, said that poets, writers and journalists play an effective role in fighting extremism. He announced that writers, poets and social activists of good repute shall be given honorary membership of the press club.

Abdul Sattar Hullio, Rabita Secretary of SAS Larkana Chapter, said that the purpose of the mushaira was to encourage a peaceful society. Others who spoke on the occasion included Malhar Sindhi, former Joint Secretary SAS, Murtaza Kalhoro General Secretary Press Club and Ali Zahid a noted poet.

A large number of poets presented poetry in both Sindhi and Urdu.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2015

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