HYDERABAD/DADU: Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori on Thursday inaugurated the three-day 772nd urs of revered saint Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar at his shrine in Sehwan by laying a floral wreath on his grave.

He was accompanied by Director General of the Culture Department Munawar Ali Mahesar, the Hyderabad commissioner, Jamshoro deputy commissioner and other senior government officials.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the governor said that people of Sindh take pride in having belonged to the land of the Qalandar and having this legacy with them. He offered special prayers for peace and prosperity in the country.

Later, talking to the media, he said that no party could single-handedly extricate Pakistan out of the persistent economic crisis. He described the national economy as weak.

He said every political party has the right to express its views at political consultations. But, he added, these political dialogues should be restricted to the participants.

The governor said that people of Sindh have given mandate to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) which has to be respected by everyone. Likewise, he added, he respects the mandate given to the political parties at federal level.

Among the other features of the urs celebrationare a mystic and folk music prgramme and a book fair which are being held on all three days.

On the first day, large groups of devotees coming from all parts of the province as well as different areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan performed Dhamal in the courtyard of the shrine which started in the morning and intermittently continued till late into the evening. Handouts were distributed by philanthropists among participants of the urs.

Vocalists and musicians (Sughars) including Khalilur Rahman Mahesar, Dado Dutar Abro, Ghulam Abid Rudd and Imam Dino Mehrani gave their performance on alghoza, sarangi, flute, bain, Shehnai, tabla and other traditional instruments to receive great applause from devotees and other visitors at the music session, Sughar Kachehry, held in culture department’s library. ‘Malakhro’, the most famous traditional wrestling sport of Sindh, is the vital feature of the festival. Eminent wrestlers are contesting in the event being held in the Malakhro Ground. Deputy Director of Sports, Hyderabad, Maryam Keerio is supervising the bouts.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2024