LARKANA: In literary field column is a genre of prose very similar to essay and can also be identified as journalistic version of an essay written for publication in newspapers or periodicals. The first column in Sindh language appeared in Jot, the first Sindhi language newspaper brought out in 1889.

This was the consensus opinion of the speakers who addressed a literary workshop on a compilation of columns, Aina Aen Aks (mirrors and reflections), by Dr Zulfikar Siyal. The event was organised by the Sindhi Adabi Sangat’s Barani Mugheri chapter here on Saturday evening. It was presided over by writer and broadcaster Kausar Buriro. Larkana Commissioner Akber Leghari, himself a known writer, was the chief guest.

Praising Dr Siyal’s effort, Mr Leghari said that only those writings lived long which carried the truth and well-founded facts. Like any other genre of literature, newspaper columns of high standards survive long.

Mr Buriro described newspaper column writing a very interesting but challenging job. A columnist is like Watayo Fakeer [a famous character of Sindh’s folk literature who spoke truth in jokes and is recognised as symbol of wisdom for his witty anecdotes]. He observed that the columns presented in the book form were not written by a journalist but contained all traits of those written by journalists of high calibre.

Larkana Knowledge Centre founder and writer Prof Mukhtiar Samoo said it was wrong to believe that a newspaper column lived a one-day life.

Dr Badaruldin Dhamraho found Dr Siyal’s columns very interesting and meaningful.

Dr Siyal said his book contained 111 columns written about 20 to 25 years ago and were published in various Sindhi newspapers of the time. He said he himself wrote about 5,000 columns in Sindhi on various topics highlighting different aspects of society.

He said: “I have not compromised on truth while writing columns.”

Other speakers included Sarmad Sindhi, Mohammad Ali Pathan, Jeal Oad, Ms Nayab Sarakash Sindhi and Malhar Sindhi.

LATIFI KACHEHRI: A Latifi Kachehri was held in Arts Council Larkana on Sunday, hosted by Sindhi Adabi Sangat Larkana.

A large number of writers, artists, people belonging to fine arts and the commissioner of Larkana attended it. It was conducted in the same traditional and cultural way as the typical Kachehri (informal meeting/ chitchat) is held in the Sindhi otaque in villages.

These kinds of Kachehris in villages of Sindh are taken as to be the learning source in which all kind of matters from social, political to the community matters are discussed.

This also includes the items of folk literature, singing and poetry recitation as well.

The Latifi Kachehri in the arts council was with traditional fragrance, but it was focused on the life, poetry and works of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, the classic poet and spiritual saint of the Sindh.

Presiding over the Kachehri, prominent poet and writer Sarmad Sindhi said Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai was the poet of nature.

He had not only simply written on the imaginary matters, but his poetry contained the facts. Bhitai visited every important destination of Sindh and observed minutely every aspect of life there and expressed the same in his poetry.

Others who also spoke on the occasion included Commissioner Akber Leghari, Mohammad Ali Pathan, Ayoub Gaad, Nisar Shaheen, Prof Mukhtiar Samo, Aadil Abbasi, Jam Jamaili, Fazul Sandeelo, Dr Aamna Soomro, Rizwan Gul, Jawed Shaikh, Riaz Soomro and Afsar Qureshi.

It was mandatory for every participant to recite at least one bait (couplet) of Shah Latif Bhitai and explain it in the sitting.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2016