LARKANA: Literati showered praise on poets Shaikh Farazi and Farrukh Janveri at a special ceremony held at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Larkana, on Saturday night to honour the poets.

Prof Malhar Sindhi, poet and chairman of the council’s literary department, said that Larkana was a hub of literature where poets contributed tremendously to enrich poetic treasure of Sindhi literature.

He said that Farazi and Janveri were dedicated poets who had been continuously composing poetry for a long time. Their appreciation was overdue and the arts council had fulfilled the obligation by arranging the programme in their honour, he said.

Farazi said that poetry was like a nourishment of spirit and strength of being. “My poetic creations have always inspired people. I have tried to give a just and encouraging message through my poetry so that people can get inspiration from it and make their characters strong. My poetry works as a weapon against social evils”.

Janveri said that a writer or poet who forgot his homeland and people in his creations was not a genuine writer or poet. Burning issues of the land must be highlighted though poetry besides expressing romantic and subtle feelings, he said.

Hubdar Totani said that Farazi’s poetry was a beautiful addition to Sindhi poetic treasure. Farazi had faced acute poverty and many health problems throughout his life but he had never lost heart nor let his readers get disappointed, he said.

His poetry was a stark expression of his bitter experiences of life, he said and urged Sindh culture department to publish books of financially challenged poets and writers.

Prof Jam Jamali, former secretary of the arts council, said that it was good omen that the arts council had arranged the programme to honour the two poets.

Prof Muneer Domki said that Janveri and Farazi were shining stars of Sindhi poetry, which depicted all colours of life.

Noted writer Aziz Qasmani said that literature was an evolutionary source of social change. Poetry was a fast influencing genre which quickly touched listener’s heart, he said.

He said that Janveri was a fine poet whose poetry was technically flawless and thematically impressive.

Sattar Hulio, writer and advocate, said that both the poets were priceless diamonds of Sindhi literature. Their contribution must be recognized, he said.

Saleh Abbasi, Rauf Abbasi, Mumtaz Lohar, Shahmir Soomro, Gulab Chandio, Anjum Khokhar, Mohammad Ali Langah, Badar Ansari, Majeed Sindhi and Sarang Sikander Shaikh also spoke on the occasion.

The gathering, which was largely attended by literati and poetry lovers, unanimously demanded the government arrange treatment of ailing writer Comrade Karim Baloch.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2021