LARKANA: Speakers at the 9th Dr Tanveer Abbasi literary awards and conference paid homage to the great man of letters and said he had left an indelible mark on Sindhi poetry and created his own peculiar style which was widely appreciated by poetry aficionados.

Well-known literary critic Ms Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, who presided over the programme held at Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Memorial Library on Sunday evening under the auspices of Abbasi Kalhora Tanzeem, said that Dr Tanveer had produced very touching poetry and impressive literature which highly enriched Sindhi literature.

She said that Dr Tanveer’s circle of close comrades included Shaikh Ayaz, Ghulam Mohammad Grami, Shamsheerul Hydri, Qamar Shah­baz, Agha Saleem and Rasheed Bhatti, who were heavyweights of Sindhi literature and contributed massively during their lifetimes.

She said that Dr Tanveer had left an indelible mark on Sindhi poetry and created his own peculiar style. He was a great admirer of Sachal Sarmast’s poetry and produced immense creative work in literature, earning name and fame throughout the country, she said.

She lamented that the institutions and the people whom he patronised in his lifetime had forgotten him.

Prominent poet Ayaz Gul said that though work of German scholar H.T. Sorely on the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai was praiseworthy, but in that context the literary work of Dr Tanveer was unique and much more impressive.

Dr Tanveer was also an engaging speaker who could speak for hours on any literary topic whenever he was asked.

His style of expression was very refined and heart touching and though he was no more with them he would always live through his works, he said.

Prominent poet Dr Adal Soomro said that Dr Tanveer had a multifaceted personality and had very refined traits. When he was merely 30 years of age he was elected secretary of Sindhi Adabi Sangat during Gen Ayub Khan’s martial law and despite clear dangers in raising voice for Sindh’s rights under a military government he launched a movement for the introduction of Sindhi in all levels of government, he said.

He wrote an anthem of Sindhi language which became very popular across the province.

As a result of the movement Sindhi was being taught now from primary to university level, he said.

He said that Dr Tanveer had formed a Sufia-i-Sindh Tanzeem, which used to organise literary gatherings and mushairas at the shrines of Sufi saints. Through this platform, Dr Tanveer established and strengthened his contact with people, he said.

Literary and political giants of the time like Rasool Bux Palijo, G.M. Syed, Shaikh Ayaz and other literati supported his movement for the cause of Sindhi language, he said.

Dr Mahar Khadim said that Dr Tanveer’s work earned great appreciation in society. His work instilled positive thinking in the minds of youth and inspired them to contribute their energy and talent to the well-being of society, he said.

Dr Safdar Abbasi said that Dr Tanveer had contributed tremendously to Sindhi language, literature and research. “Our forefathers had rendered great services for Sindhi language and literature,” he said.

He said that though society on the whole was on the decline Sindh was still producing great personalities. This aspect needed to be researched so that it could be saved from further deterioration.

MPA Moazzam Abbasi said that it was duty of every individual to recognise the services of great personalities of Sindhi literature and pay them due tribute.

“We must introduce their work to young generation so that they can benefit from it,” he said.

A book Kalhoro dor jo tareekhi ain tahqeeqi jaezo compiled by Prof Jahangir Abbasi was also launched on the occasion and awards were given to Prof Rizwan Gul, Essa Memon, Prof Abdul Sattar Soomro, Prof Dur Mohammad Soomro, Seema Abbasi, Mour Mugheri and Muneer Soomro.

Dr Safdar Abbasi, president of Pakistan Peoples Party-Workers, former MPA Haji Munawwar Ali Abbasi, Mumtaz Bukhari, Dr Ahsan Danish and Jahangir Abbasi also spoke at the conference.'

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2019