LARKANA: A book titled Dr Zulfiqar Siyal: fan ain fikr comprising 75 articles in Sindhi, English and Urdu by various writers on literary works of Dr Siyal was launched at the Larkana Press Club here the other day.

The book launching ceremony was organised by Sindhi Adabi Sangat’s Barani Mugheri chapter and a panel of writers, Prof Mukhtiar Samo, Imam Rashdi, Prof Jam Jamali, Comrade Kareem Baloch and Ms Nayab Sarkash, presided over the proceedings.

Dr Siyal said that literature had been his passion for his entire life. “I’ve written continuously without expecting any reward from anyone. A book remains its writer’s property until it is in his possession in manuscript form but once it has been published and made public readers get a right over it in their own way,” he said.

He said that he had conducted research for his Ph.D on a unique topic Mir Nawaz Ai Niaz: Critical study of his personality and poetry. Naz was a seasoned poet of Talpur ruling family whose unique love with a woman named Bali was well documented in history, he said.

He said that an officer of Sindh culture department took his thesis from him for publication but it had yet not been published.

Prof Samo said that comrade Kareem had done a good work by compiling the articles which thoroughly highlighted the works of Dr Siyal in prose, poetry and research. Out of a total of 27 books Dr Siyal had authored, 14 were on poetry for children, which was a unique credit because there was dearth of literature on children in Sindhi, he said.

Imam Rashdi, a historian, said that Dr Siyal was very senior and dear poet of Sindh. He had worked tremendously during his tenure as secretary general of SAS. His poetry and prose had deep, thought-provoking ideas, which readers appreciated highly, he said.

Prof Jam Jamali said that Dr Siyal was a creative writer whose literary works maintained their own stamp on Sindhi literature. He was such a writer who enjoyed cosmopolitan outlook in his thinking and as well as in action, he said.

Comrade Kareem, who compiled the book, said that he was happy at his work because it had introduced to readers all the literary work done by Dr Siyal over half a century.

Murtaza Kalhoro, former secretary of the press club, said that the club had always extended cooperation for the promotion of literature.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were; Nayab Sarkash, Qadir Jagirani, Yasmin Brohi and Faqir Mohammad Sindhi, while singer Shiraz Abbasi sang poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai on the occasion to entertain the audience.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2022