HYDERABAD, March 2: Sindhi Language Authority secretary Taj Joyo has said that Shaikh Ayaz was a renowned modern poet of Sindh who kept people abreast of their past, present and future and called for social and political changes in Sindhi society.

He was speaking at an exhibition of the photographs of Shaikh Ayaz held at Zafar Kazmi art gallery in Sindh Museum on Friday to mark the 89th birth anniversary of the great poet.

The programme was organised by Sindh culture department in collaboration with Sindhi Language Authority and Radio Pakistan.

Mr Joyo exhorted Sindhi youth to study Shaikh Ayaz's poetry which was full of love not only for entire human race but also for the motherland.

Ibrahim Joyo, Dr Mohammad Ali Manjhi and others read out selected poetry of the great poet. A stage play and a musical programme scheduled to be held at night are also part of the function.

Sindh minister for culture Sassui Palijo said in a message that Shaikh Ayaz was a poet of international stature and Sindh should be proud of him.

She announced that his books would be translated into different languages of the world.

The department had established a cell and appointed a committee in this regard, she said.

She said the department had also set up a translation cell to translate master pieces of Sindhi literature into Urdu and other languages.

Earlier, a large number of writers and admirers of Shaikh Ayaz led by Mr Joyo, culture director Mohammad Ali Manjhi and director of Hyderabad station of Radio Pakistan, Naseer Mirza, visited the grave of Shaikh Ayaz on the bank of Karar Lake in Bhit Shah in the morning.

They laid a wreath on the grave, offered fateha and also cut birthday cake.