HYDERABAD, Dec 28: Rich tributes were paid to great poet of Sindh, Shaikh Ayaz, at his 9th death anniversary held at the Mumtaz Mirza auditorium Sindh museum on Thursday.

The anniversary function was jointly organised by the Sindhi Adabi Sangat and the Shaikh Ayaz Foundation in collaboration with the Sindh Culture department, Sindhology Institute, Sindhi Language Authority and Kaleech Sangat.

Eulogising the services of Shaikh Ayaz in the cause of Sindh and Sindhi language and literature, noted poets, writers and intellectuals said that he was a revolutionary poet and an institution.

They said that he was the father of the modern Sindhi poetry.

Aijaz Mangi, Adal Soomro, Sajid Soomro, Ishaque Samejo, Amar Sindhu and Taj Joyo read papers on the life and works of Shaikh Ayaz.

They said that Shaikh Ayaz was a national poet and the writers of Sindh owed it to him to spread his message in the world.

They said that the poet had laid the foundation stone of a new movement in his poetry and given a new dimension to folk songs.

The audio video recording of the late poet were also shown and a book on the poetry of Shaikh Ayaz “Songs of Freedom” was also launched.

Moonis Ayaz, son of Shaikh Ayaz, also spoke on the occasion.

The students of Kaleech Sangat model school presented a tableau based on the verses of Shaikh Ayaz.

The function was largely attended by men of letters, including Abdul Qadir Junejo, Ali Baba, Nasir Mirza, Shoukat Shoro and Inam Shaikh.

Our Sukkur Correspondent adds: The death anniversary of poet Shaikh Ayaz was observed throughout the province, except Shikarpur (the birth place of the poet) and Sukkur.

A Mehfil-i-Mushaira was held in Khairpur on Wednesday to mark the 9th death anniversary of Shaikh Ayaz.

More than 30 poets paid rich tributes to great poet.

They include Hizbullah Soomro, Amjad Durrani and Anwar Pardesi.