LARKANA: Razaque Mahar was a trendsetting writer in Sindhi literature who did not choose cheap romantic themes and other such bizarre topics, but he highlighted intrinsic social issues of society, pecuniary problems and societal deprivations of the people in his stories and dramas which he wrote profusely.

This was the gist of opinions expressed by speakers comprising noted writers, academicians and close friends of prominent Sindhi story writer and TV playwright Razaque Mahar. They were speaking at a gathering titled saar jee-shaam (an evening of remembrance) held at the Larkana Arts Council here on the occasion of Mahar’s 11th death anniversary on Monday night.

Presiding over the gathering, short story writer, dramatist, anthropologist and author of many story books in Sindhi language Manzoor Kohyar said Razaque Mahar was his contemporary, who achieved widespread popularity among his readers and viewers of his television plays due to his genuine thoughts and concerns for social problems of the common people in his literary creations. He said Mahar brought his own diction, new plots and touching thoughts for his writings.

Story writer, columnist and former principal of Government Degree College Larkana Prof Saleem Korai said Razaq Mahar was unconventional writer, who carved his own elevated place in Sindhi literature through his unique literary works. He, who was a creator to the core, neither wrote on popular topics nor resorted to oft-repeated words or sentences of same meaning in his writings.

Mohammad Ali Pathan writer, who is a close friend of Razaque Mahar and has seven books of Sindhi stories and poetry to his credit, said he (Mahar) had contributed tremendously in enrichment of Sindhi literature. He entered in the realm of Sindhi literature as a poet but emerged later as a very creative, progressive and powerful prose writer. He wrote stories, novels, stage plays and television dramas which were widely liked by the people. His TV serials jeeyapo (existence), wishootioon (farness), pataal (underworld), nebero (solution) and his story book sukoon ktheyn ahe ? (where is peace?) were master pieces in Sindhi literature.

Prose writer, poet and author of many books Dr Fayaz Latif said that when I was still a student, Razaque Mahar was teacher at the same college, but later he became my colleague. He was very helpful and highly intellectual writer whose writings left indelible impact on the minds of the reader.

Prof Mukhtiar Samo, writer and the founder of Knowledge Centre Larkana, said Mahar was a reformist writer who fought with his pen against social evils. He said the issue of private jails in Sindh was highlighted by Razaque Mahar in his very widely viewed Sindhi T.V. drama serial jiyapoo which was telecast by Karachi television station in 1991. It was through this play that the most barbaric act of perpetrators came to public and civil society raised their voice against outlaws and the authorities came into action against private jails. Razaque would long be remembered for this heroic act, he said.

Mumtaz Abro, a writer and drama director, said he himself had staged the plays written by Razaque Mahar which became very popular among the audience. He said his Sindhi stage plays bad hawas head clerk (confused head clerk) and tee khandani berozgar (three familial jobless) were the best example of practical satire.

Jam Jamali, a poet and translator of Sindhi literary works in English, said he was closely associated with Razaque Mahar and found him very sensitive and sensible. He picked up his inspiration for writing from society and wrote with courage and convenience, Jamali said.

Others who also spoke on the occasion included his son Asif Mahar, Inayat Memon, Rizwan Gul, Abdul Wahab Sahito, Mumtaz Lohar and Aziz Mangi.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2016