HYDERABAD: Speaking at the Jashn-i-Latif programme held at Sindh Museum on Sunday, intellectuals and scholars called for discussing the teachings of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai from the scientific point of view because his philosophy is based on reason.

Intellectual and historian Atta Mohammad Bhambhro said the philosophy of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai was a science and Sindhis were the first nation of the world to have started benefiting from it. He said the Sindhi nation had built Moenjodaro and they should be seen in the light of the once developed civilisation.

Sindh guaranteed the survival of humanity, he said, adding that Sindhi people themselves were philosophy of humanity and therefore they should be seen accordingly. He said Sindh was a historical region and it would remain so forever to get its due historical status restored.

Former chairperson of the Sindhi Language Authority (SLA) Dr Fehmida Hussain said Shah Latif discussed mot­­herland. “We need to understand Latif again in order to have a progressive, enlightened and motherland-friendly perspective,” she said.

She said that all heroines of Bhitai existed in today’s society. She said that if Marui had been kidnapped by the emperor, one could see forced marriages of girls from poor families. She said Bhitai believed that poor and weak could challenge tyranny with courage. Welcoming guests, the ho­st of the programme, Sin­dhu Nawaz Ghanghro, said Latif explained Sindh and its society in his own unique way. She said that like many others, she wanted to transfer the philosophy of Latif to the youth.

Anees Memon observed that the message of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai needed to be understood clearly. He said women of the lower middle class were heroines of Latif and that was why he portrayed them in his poetry. He said Latif’s affection for Sindh gave inspiration to the youth.

Ghulam Shah Latifi stated that the real heirs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai were usually not invited in programmes and he thanked organisers for inviting him.

He said Shah Bhitai discussed autonomy and emancipation of women and linked development of society with women. He said Latif dreamt that a heroine should be born in every house. He said that everyone could discuss Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai from his own angle as there was so much of inspiration in his poetry.

Widow of student leader Nazeer Abbasi, Hameeda Gh­a­nghro, said women always needed someone’s support. SLA secretary Shabnam Gul agreed with Atta Mohammad Bhambhro that Bhitai should be understood with a scientific lens.

Sehar Gul Bhatti maintained that all characters of Bhitai were from the middle class and the rich were seen in different perspectives in his poetry. She said that womenfolk held special place in his poetry because he presented women as a strong entity.

Jami Chandio while speaking at the Latif ayein jadeed daur session said that understanding Bhitai would need giving importance to Latif in present era. Niaz Nadeem, Ishtiaque An­s­ari, Taj Joyo and others also spoke at different sessions.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2018