LARKANA: The 24th death anniversary of noted writer, linguist, researcher and political thinker Dr Muhabat Buriro was commemorated by the Qambar-based academy named after him in collaboration with Arts Council of Pakistan, Larkana, in its Bhitai Adabi Hall on Sunday evening.

The event was presided over by prominent writer Prof Sarwar Saif.

Dr Buriro’s 20th posthumously published book Jadli madiat ja buniadi usool, which he had translated in Sindhi from Basic Principles of Dialectical and Historical Materialism authored by Spirkin and Yakhot was also launched at the event.

Three “20th Dr Muhabat Buriro Awards” were given to Prof Sarwar Saif, Nangar Channa and Babi Baagri in recognition of their services in the category of ‘Creative and research writing’, ‘Literary translation’ and ‘Education’, respectively.

Speaking to the audience, Prof Saif said that Dr Muhabat was a genius who selflessly served society. “He was a well-read man who could speak and write on many diverse topics with equal ease. Besides being a researcher, he was a good translator as he translated selected English books written on political and philosophical topics in Sindhi very meticulously. He would long be remembered for his dedicated services in politics, literature and humanity,” Prof Saif said.

Prominent writer and translator Nangar Channa said that Dr Muhabat was an encyclopaedic person whose knowledge was very vast. “He always stood firm in hard days and spoke truth on the face of everyone. It won’t be wrong if I called him ‘Socrates of Sindh’, said the award winner.

Writer Prof Mukhtiar Samo, the founder of the Knowledge Centre, Larkana, said that although Dr Muhabat Buriro lived for only 45 years, he left a legacy in the shape of 40 books authored or translated by him which would keep him alive forever. “He utilised all the years of his life in spreading enlightenment. He extensively travelled in Sindh and delivered lectures on political, philosophical and social topics for awareness of people. He was a fully committed person who wanted to see the common and marginalised people live happy and peaceful life and worked for achieving that lofty cause,” he said.

Prominent story writer Bakhat Buriro said: “When I was still young, I heard about the work, intellectual pursuits and activism of Dr Muhabat Buriro; when I grew older, I read his books and benefited from them”.

Dr Ahsan Danish said that the life of Dr Buriro was like a beacon light for us. “He was a genius and practical man. He never faltered in fulfilling his commitment of serving humanity. He was a writer of great calibre who never tired of writing on a variety of topics,” he said.

Prof Manzoor Chajero, the chairman of the Dr Muhabat Academy, said the favourite area of work for Dr Buriro was philosophy. “He had deep knowledge in this subject and believed that philosophy was like an introduction to all other subjects. After reading philosophy, all other subjects become easier to understand. Dr Muhabat could speak on any topic for hours together because he had read vastly,” he said.

Bhao Dur Mohammad Buriro, a writer and long-time colleague of Dr Buriro said Dr Muhabat Buriro was a medical doctor and ran his clinic for public welfare.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2021