MITHI: Speakers at the launch on Sunday of Dodo Soomro’s death, a study based on Shaikh Ayaz’s opera with the same title in Sindhi Doday Soomray jo maut eulogised Prof Noor Ahmed Janjhi for producing the sixth book in a row elucidating Ayaz’s artistic use of the characters of the epic historical drama in his poetry.

“Ayaz depicted his ideas about freedom of thought and human honour and also portrayed sorrows and sufferings of Sindh and the marginalized people. He values love and extends his love to Sindh, its people and the whole world,” said Prof Janjhi at the book launch ceremony.

He said: “Ayaz values humanity and promotes the cause of humanism. He has tried to develop intellectual and cultural connectivity between the people of Sindh and the subcontinent as well as of the entire world through his beautiful poetry.”

His poetic thought had many colours but he had mainly focussed on human behaviour through a vast context of nature, he said and pointed out linguistic aestheticism and symbolism in Ayaz’s poetry which also made mention of Karoonjhar hills as the symbol of light and knowledge, he said.

“Ayaz has offered very pertinent thoughts on burning issues of the globe and suggested solutions too. He has composed poetry in Urdu and Sindhi and left 50 books,” he said.

Prof Janjhi said that Ayaz had introduced hundreds of names of persons and places linked to history and global politics along with his critical analysis in the perspective of Sindh and the subcontinent. Thus, he offered a treasure trove of information and knowledge, he said.

He said: “This is my sixth book on Ayaz and the second in English. I have tried my best to deconstruct the poetic thought of Ayaz presented in his opera Doday Soomray jo maut with special focus on characterisation in his poetry. The opera comprised four characters -- Baghi, Dodo, Chholi and Chanesar, who belonged to great Sindhi epic of Soomra period, he said.

“The main character of the opera is Baghi, sister of Soomro brothers. She is a great lady who provided moral strength to Sindhi troops and advised Dodo to fight for the great cause, showing the acumen of Sindhi women. Dodo is also a lead character adorned with great statesmanship and bravery. He fights for his land and people till the last drop of his blood,” he said.

He said that Ayaz had discussed relationship between life and death and informed his readers that “Dodo survives the fear of death by considering the death as part of life. The character of Chholi is of special nature, which shows transformation of a dancing girl into an adventurous woman,” he said.

He said that Chanesar’s character was that of an ambitious person with reactionary and greedy traits. “By and large, the opera presents the pertinent thought to face all inhuman and ambitious challenges and risks in life,” he said.

Ghansham Narwani, a young linguist, presented review of the book and appreciated its style, tone and tenor and highlighted Ayaz’s poetry in the light of stream of conscience.

Shahnawaz Khaskheli, a young local writer, highlighted various aspects of the book in his review and said that it would be a great learning experience for youth to know about technicalities of the opera and multidimensional thought of Ayaz.

Piyaro Shivani, a poet and writer, highlighted the contribution of Prof Janjhi with reference to the needs of contemporary world and proposed audio visual presentation of Ayaz’s poetry.

Dost Mohammad Halepoto, a sughar of Thar, shared his views on Dodo Soomro with special reference to the character of Chanesar.

Syed Dinal Shah Raz, a well-known poet, appreciated literary contribution of Prof Janjhi and presented his thoughts on the different aspects of Ayaz’s poetry.

Dr Shankar Vankwani, Prof Jethanand, Prof Rajesh, Aslam Kumbhar, Mubarak Bajir, and Manzoor Kumbhar also spoke at the programme.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2022