HYDERABAD, Dec 29: Writers, scholars and educationists have observed that Shaikh Ayaz is the greatest poet of Sindh after Shah Latif and he deserved Nobel prize for literature.

They were speaking at a function to commemorate the eighth death anniversary of the poet at the Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch hall in the premises of the Sindhi Language Authority here on Wednesday. The function was organized by the Sindhi Adabi Sangat in collaboration with the Shaikh Ayaz Foundation and other literary organizations.

Ibrahim Joyo said freedom was the basic philosophy of the poet.

He said that extensive research was needed to understand and disseminate the message of Mr Ayaz.

He regretted that then Sindh Chief Minister Liaquat Jatoi had announced Rs1 million for the tomb of Shaikh Ayaz but not a single penny had been released till date. He, however, said the government had given Rs150,000 to the foundation which had been spent on publication of his books and on other functions.

Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz leader Abdul Wahid Areesar said that Shaikh Ayaz had given the message that a man should live with dignity and grace.

Noted poet Imdad Hussaini said knowledge of folk and classical poetry was necessary to understand works of Mr Ayaz.

Writer Qazi Khadim said Mr Ayaz would always live in the minds and hearts of people through his poetry.

Sindhi Language Authority chairman and playwright Abdul Qadir Junejo said there was a great depth in the poetry of Mr Ayaz and one could only understand him after deep study.

Sindhi Adabi Sangat secretary-general Taj Joyo said Mr Ayaz was an immortal poet and he had disseminated the message and philosophy of Shah Latif.