THATTA: Participants in a web conference showered praise on Elsa Kazi, lovingly called Mother EIsa, for her great contribution to Sindhi literature as a writer, poet, musician, artist and translator par excellence of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s poetry.

They said at the event organised by Dr N.A. Baloch Institute of Heritage Research here on Saturday to commemorate her 53rd death anniversary that new generation of Sindhi youth was harvesting the fruits of Elsa Kazi’s valuable contribution to literature.

Research scholar Dr Abdul Ghaffar Soomro told the participants that after tying the knot with legendary intellectual of Sindh Dr Alama I.I. Kazi she became an equally worthy asset of Sindh and their vast knowledge and sharp vision paved the path for young generation’s thirst for knowledge.

He said that being a virtual achiever in almost every conspicuous area of fine arts she earned considerable popularity and would be remembered for her contribution to literature as well as music and translation of Bhitai’s poetry into English.

Dr Nawaz Ali Shauq said that since her marriage with Allama in 1910 in Germany the couple shifted to United Kingdom and remained there till 1919. Afterwards they came back to Sindh where Allama Sahib was honored to become chief justice of Khairpur Mir’s state and later vice chancellor and founder of Sindh University Jamshoro.

He said that Elsa Kazi had authored four books Old English Garden Symphony (novel), Temptation (drama), Civilization: Through the Ages, and the translation of Latif’s poetry.

Inayat Baloch, former director of Radio Pakistan Hyderabad, said that like-mindedness of literature loving couple opened enormous avenues for enrichment of learning. Their spiritual attachment with each other and love for literature culminated in the production of great literature, music and exceptional pieces of art and knowledge, he said.

Taj Joyo said that born Gertrude Loesch in Rudel Stadt, a small village in Germany, into a family of a musician who later migrated to London, she assumed the name of Elsa after marriage. Her father late Elderman was a prosperous German having property in London that was destroyed during World War II, he said.

Masood Lohar, writer, said that although Elsa Kazi was not well versant with Sindhi language, she managed to produce some of the best translations of selected verses of Bhitai into English with the support of her husband, Allama I.I. Kazi.

He said that she successfully couched substance of those verses in a poetical setting which, in musical terms, reflected original Sindhi metrical structure and expression in which Bhitai had cast them. Her translation of Bhitai’s poetry was considered by many to be the best so far in English language, he said.

Director of Institute of Heritage Research Prof Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi said the couple spent 30 years of life in England, during which they remained engaged in research, tracing the evolution of religion through the ages up to the advent of Islam.

Both contributed numerous essays, articles and addresses in various branches of knowledge, besides preaching Islam under the aegis of Jamiatul Muslimeen. In 1919, the couple returned to Sindh, he said.

Dr Manjhi said that his institution was striving to act as a bridge for knowledge seekers and literature lovers by celebrating days of exceptional persons and spreading knowledge and making youngsters aware about the work of their heroes.

Zafar Soomro said that Elsa Kazi’s works had been subject of several doctoral theses. She was also famous for her stories for children. Furthermore, the University of Washington library had rated one of her works Temptation: a drama of Sindh country life in three acts published in 1942 and Aeolian: notes of an overstrung lyre published in 1920 among the best South Asian literature that emerged prior to the partition of India in 1947, he said.

The participants posted Sindhi Ajraks and flowers on their screens to pay virtual tribute to the departed soul of the great lady Elsa Kazi.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2020