THATTA: Speakers paid tribute to revolutionary Sindhi poet Sarwaich Sujawali on his 13th death anniversary and said he educated the poor and misery-stricken population of Thatta and Sujawal through his powerful poetry to stand up for their rights and wage a struggle against prevalent dictatorial and feudal system in Sindh.

They were sharing their views at the anniversary programme organised by Sarwaich Academy in coordination with culture dep­art­­­­ment at Sarwaich Nagar village on Saturday night.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s MPA Heer Soho, the party’s Sujawal chapter president Mohammad Ali Malkani and others recounted the poet’s political struggle which also saw his incarceration for his ideas.

They said that Sujawali infused common man with new courage through his poetry to rise up against dictatorial rule of General Ziaul Haq and become part of the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy.

They said that Sujawali’s forceful voice, poetry and strong character deeply influenced the movement and gave people fortitude to keep standing against the military rule.

Rasool Bux Tamimi, Iqbal Shaheen and Aajiz Karampuri claimed that Sujawali proved himself to be a real son of the soil by giving voice to true sentiments, hitherto untold misery and routine problems confronted by common man while at the same time filling their hearts with selfless love and tranquility through his melodious poetry.

Abdul Sattar Lohar, Younus Bhan, Sooraj and Dr Usman Sarwaich said that through his poetry Sujawali educated the misery-stricken population of the coastal districts about political techniques and methods for bringing about societal change and motivated them to wage a joint struggle not only against the dictatorial rule but also against dominant feudalist system in Sindh.

Firdous Aziz Mirbahar, Rabia Mirani and Moosa Leghari told the audience that the coastal population, which was deprived of its right to education, health, employment and civic amenities, had never witnessed such a courageous academician who was always preaching for education for all male and female children in Laar (lower Sindh), standing up for legitimate rights and raising voice against tyranny and oppression.

After the conclusion of speeches late into the night, singers Samina Kanwal, Ahmed Mughal, Hameed Ansari, Khushboo Leghari, Faiza Ali and others enthralled the audience by singing poetry of Sujawali.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2020

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