Roshni Publication Organizes Celebrating Ideas: Voices Fest

A gathering of Sindhi intellectuals and political activists under the banner "Celebrating Ideas: Voices Fest" was organized by Roshni Publication was held at Hyderabad on Saturday. 

 The purpose of this gathering was to promote difference of opinion  and ideas in the society to motivate youth, so that youth could play positive role in the society.

Mr. Ali Nawaz Ghanghro, Halar Nawaz and Sindhoo Nawaz hosted the gathering at their residency in Qasimabad.

Renowned poet and critic Taj Joyo talking about Shaikh Ayaz and his poetry said that before Shaikh Ayaz, Kishan Bewas, Hyder Bux Jatoi, Abdul Kareem Gadahi and others set trends of modern poetry. Kishan Bewas gave local flavour to Sindhi poetry;  previously it was influenced by Iranian influence. Shaikh Ayaz carried forward the trends of Jatoi and Gadahi, Ayaz connected himself with classic Sindhi poetry, he had grasp on world literature, he gave new dimensions to Sindhi genres of poetry.

 Mr. Joyo further said that while he also worked on European trends of poetry, Ayaz revolutionized  his work through poems and free verses, he gave new rhythms and forms to his poetry, he connected his poetry with modern times. He wrote about democracy, secularism and nationalism, he also had romanticism in poetry. Shaikh Ayaz had resistance in his poetry, he stood against One Unit. His first book was published by Pakistan's Writer Guild and he was awarded for that book but when the rulers came to know about its text, the book was banned. 

He said that Ayaz was only poet in Pakistan who was jailed most times for poetry. Ayaz was the poet who introduced world poetry to his readers.

Renowned poet and thinker Mr. Ali Akash, who authored five books talked about Rise and Downfall of Sindhi Adabi Board (SAB).  

SAB was an institution to promote and preserve culture, language and literature of Sindh. SAB was established in 1940, as Sain GM Syed was Education Minister he took initiative to make such institution.

 In 1948 it became Sindhi Adabi Board and its first Secretary was Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo. It was at this point that think-tanks in Sindh realized the dire need of an organisation which could initiate, supervise and promote the publication of material in Sindhi language. The Federal Advisory Board was created to fill the need in August 1940. In September 1950 a more powerful executive committee was constituted, and in March 1955 the Sindhi Adabi Board was brought into being.

The Board was registered with the Assistant Registrar of the Joint Stock Committee in Khairpur. Projects like dictionary, folk literature, publishing classical poetry and translation of world literature, publication of manuscripts of historic nature.

Another project of SAB was to promote modern Sindhi creative literature, for that magazines were published, one such magazine was Quarterly Mehran, Monthly Sartiyoon for women and Gul Phul for children. Articles published in Mehran especially during  the tenure of Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo were highly appreciable.

He elaborated that the downfall of SAB was marked after it fell in the hands of Mukhdooms, after which the board became a shrine. The Mukhdooms had first tenure from 1961 to 1977, though Mukhdoom Talib-ul-Mola was a great scholar and poet, but SAB started detracting from its actual aim and objective.

Mr. Ali Akash added that: "I consider the tenure of Inamullah Shaikh as secretary both as good and bad, Mr. Shaikh was a good administrator, in his term ADP tenders were passed which helped to improve the infrastructure of SAB, while he also stopped unnecessary recruitment at SAB and adjusted surplus employees in education department. The bad things that happened during Mr. Inam's tenure were he sold out the printing press of SAB due to which the board faced issues regarding printing and publishing, and he was also involved in the controversy with women employees of the board.

After him renowned writer and columnist Aijaz Mangi became secretary of SAB, but his term was known for massive corruption in SAB, as he announced the website project of SAB, he gave away contracts on favoritism, nepotism and rumors also circulated that he was engaged in taking commission for contracts.

Then came the term of Pir Mazhar, who happened to be the education minister of Sindh, he did surplus recruitment at SAB and the board suffered a lot.

Later on the board once again fell in the hands of Mukhdooms, and they are such a powerful lobby that even education minister is helpless before them."  

Famous writer and editor of Humsari Magazine Ms. Zahida Abro talked about why number women is limited in publication.

 She said that in this society being a woman was greatest challenge for women but it was also an opportunity for them. Global phenomenon for women was changing and trying to give space to women. According to a survey only three percent women were working on leading positions in Pakistan and that survey was conducted 180 countries. 

"The real challenge for women is in illiterate society. Our publication industry is dominated by males and I was often asked when you are going to close your publication.  The main problem faced by me during publication is resources. But it is my passion to publish Humsari Magazine. Another problem faced in publication is marketing, how to reach more audience or readers," Ms. Abro added.

 Ms. Zahida said that: "another problem faced is how to get advertisements and it even created huge hurdle. People always  want complementary copy Sindhi people hardly purchase Sindhi books and magazines though they purchase English and Urdu books and magazines."

Researcher and writer Idrees Jatoi said that it was a glad moment for him to see sculptor of Comrade Hyder Bux Jatoi. 

"Jatoi is great character in history of Sindh who led foundation of progressive politics in Sindh, his collection of poetry was first published in 1930. He joined Sindh Hari Committee in 1945 and became its president.  He is among those politicians who give results on ground.

He did strive for Sindh Tenancy Act due to which the rights of peasants for the first time. He wrote more then 30 pamphlets regarding democracy, rights of peasants and Sindhi language. He also played vital role against one unit. He was jailed in Maach," added Mr. Idrees Jatoi.

While Ms. Paras Nawaz, Mehak Asif, Masroor Shah and others also shared their views. The bust of Comrade Hyder Bux Jatoi made by NCA students was made public on that occasion