THATTA: A veteran nationalist ideologue and author of many books, Ghulam Hussain Rangrez aka Sain Ghulam Hussain, passed away following a prolonged ailment at Karachi’s Civil Hospital early on Thursday morning. He was 76.

Rangrez, former secretary general of Sindhi Adabi Sangat (SAS) and member of Board of Governors of Sindhi Language Authority (SLA) as well as a source of inspiration for nationalists for his role in anti-One Unit movement and pro-Sindh campaigns, was a diehard follower of G.M. Syed.

He started his professional career as a primary teacher in 1963 after having passed MA political science and retired in 1977 as principal of Thatta elementary college.

As a nationalist ideologue, he spread his message through thought-provoking writings, poetry and columns on national politics.

He was sent to central jail Karachi in 1974 for reciting poetry, which was deemed seditious, on the birth anniversary of G.M. Syed at Sann.

Rangrez authored 12 books on fiction, poetry, politics, music, philosophy and research out of which four books Sarmad cha tho soche, Wakhar so wihae, Ghulam ja tahkra and Akhin unj upae were the most popular with his readers.

SLA chairman Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi, writer and poet Obhayo Khan Khushik, author of several books Aijaz Ali Khuwaja, Ramzan Memon, Iqbal Jakhro and others said in their condolence messages that Rangrez’s literary innovations were self-explanatory and reflective of actual issues of common man and his great role to bring together a large number of writers, poets and authors on one platform of SAS would always be remembered.

His body was brought to his ancestral town Mirpur Bathoro and buried in the local graveyard.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2021