LARKANA: A three-day ‘Jashn-i-Ayaz’ organised by the Larkana Arts Council kicked off here on Monday evening with the opening of Haroon Channa’s paintings portraying Shaikh Ayaz’s poetic thoughts. Larkana Commissioner Ghulam Akbar Leghari along with well-known literary figures Jami Chandio and Dr Ishaq Samejo inaugurated the event.

Although the exhibition and the book stalls set up by various publishing houses at the venue attracted large crowds, the absence of Shaikh Ayaz’s pictures depicting his life and struggle was felt as many visitors were found searching for them arguing that the title of the exhibition gave such an impression..

Jami Chandio, who was the key speaker, delivered his lecture on the philosophical depth of and delicacies in Ayaz’s poetry.

“After [great Sufi saint] Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai comes Shaikh Ayaz who, through his poetic contributions, leaves his imprints on the period and society,” he said, adding that Ayaz represented different trends and thinking of the times while Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Mehmood Durvesh represented a particular school of thought. Allama Iqbal, according to Mr Chandio, had a variety of thoughts in his poetry.

Mr Chandio observed that one could not find stagnation in Ayaz’s poetry and stillness in his ideas.

Referring to certain controversies that raged in his times, Mr Chandio said Ayaz shot into prominence after the classical periods of Sindhi poets Shah Inayat and Shah Abdul Karim Bulry Waro. He was well acquainted with Western trends and was deeply influenced by the two world wars that, according to Mr Chandio, revolutionised Ayaz’s poetry and the messages it contained. He said the subcontinent’s Partition had not only cast a deep impact on society but also infused new spirit in his poetry.

Calling him ‘the poet of resistance and romance’, Mr Chandio said his poetry had roots in soil which Urdu poets unfortunately lacked.

Poetry recital

The Kul Sindh Mushaira was the most engaging feature of the opening day of Jashn-i-Ayaz.

A large number of poets, including some prominent ones, from across Sindh paid their poetic tribute to Shaikh Ayaz and received great applause from the admirers packing the Bhitai Adabi Auditorium to capacity.

The mushaira was presided over by Ahmed Solangi. Poets Rukhsana Preet Chanar, Rubina Abro, Ali Dost Aajiz, Ishaque Samejo and Akber Laghari who were the guests of honour also presented their poetic works.

In his presidential address, Ahmed Solangi described Shaikh Ayaz as “a poet of high calibre who translated feelings of the masses in his poetry”.

The others who presented their poetry at the mushaira included Sarmad Chandio, Bashir Ahmed Shaad, Mukhtiar Samo, Jawad Jaffery, Rahmat Pirzado, Mumtaz Bukhari, Aziz Mangi, Pirah Sakina Gaad, Nayyab Sarkash Sindhi, Ayaz Jani, Ahsan Danish, Fayaz Latif, Aama Soomro, Riazat Buriro, Rizwan Gul, Ahmed Ali Sabir Chandio, Wishaal, Sartaj Jagirani, Munawwar Solangi, Ali Zahid, Khalid Chandio, Sajjad Sindhi, Lutuf Siyal, Sagar Abro, Shahmeer Soomro, Sajjad Mahar, Yasir Mangi, Sindho Pirzado, Mukhtiar Jagirani, Mushtaq Tunio, Shaheen Sindhi, Aziz Qasmani, Tasawwur Abro and Shaheen Sindhi.

Earlier, Javed Shaikh welcomed the guests.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2016