Hyderabad: Speakers have termed legendary poet of Sindh Mubarak Ali Ayaz popularly known as Shaikh Ayaz a poet who introduced innovative trends in Sindhi poetry on account of his vast study of occidental poetic tradition, his immense power of imagination and his unique unparalleled creative flair.
It was a special program organized by Institute of Sindhology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro to commemorate 95th birth anniversary of the iconic bard at Syed Hissamuddin Rashdi Auditorium of the institute. The event was presided over by VC-SU Prof. Dr. Fateh Mohammad Burfat; whereas, Senator Sassui Palijo graced it as a Chief Guest.
Dr. Burfat, in his presidential remarks on the eve, said that Ayaz throbbed in every heart in Sindh due to enchanting, appealing and ecstatic attributes of his romantic poetry.
“I am indeed elated to head the university once headed by poet laureate of Sindh Shaikh Ayaz”, Dr. Burfat remarked.
Dr. Burfat further said that poetic translation of Shah Latif’s ‘Risalo’ in Urdu was a milestone accomplishment of Shaikh Ayaz.
“I am indeed happy to inaugurate establishment of Shaikh Ayaz Corner at the museum of Institute of Sindhology. I take it as a most pleasant, welcome and appropriate step”, he said.
Dr. Burftat also compared poetry of Shaikh Ayaz to sweet scent absorbed in hearts and breath of people of Sindh.
Senator Sassui Palijo – the event chief guest said that Shaikh Ayaz was one of the extensively read individuals in Sindh. She added that not only Ayaz’s poetry but prose was also mellifluous.
“Each couplet, each stanza, each short and long poem in almost all genres by Ayaz reflects the depth, width, breadth and unfathomable scope of his observation, intuition, intellect, experience and imagination”, Ms. Paljo said.
Sassui called herself lucky to have been born in an epoch that allowed her to see Ayaz in person.
“I see further need for serious research on those aspects of poetry of Ayaz that are still unearthed, and I reckon those are numerous”, she iterated.
Renowned story writer and guest of honor Madad Ali Sindhi said that Shaikh Ayaz was deeply impressed by leftist intellectual Hashoo Kewalramani. He termed Ayaz as poet of revolution who fueled hearts of youth by the power and poignancy of his poetry.
Another event guest of honor and famous intellectual Jami Chandio said that poetry of Shaikh Ayaz served as authentic annals spanning entire century.
“Ayaz tried in his verse many a new trend. He was most innovative artist whose contrivings transpired into birth of whole multitude by spellbinding new dimensions in Sindhi verse”, Jami pleaded.
Jami also attributed to Ayaz as a poet of pulsating romantic verve who left indelible mark of his genius on the sands of twentieth century times.
Chairman, Department of Sindhi Dr. Anwar Figar Hakro said that he had the pride of hailing from town which was abode of Shaikh Ayaz i.e. Shikarpur.
Dr. Figar said that Kaleidoscopic spectrum of Shikharpur could easily be traced in the verse of Ayaz.
Illustrated poetess and story writer Shabnam Gul shared with the audience her erudite analysis on a story of Shaikh Ayaz entitled “Khilni” (The grinning girl).
Whereas, notable columnist Manzoor Mirani read out to the audience contents of the letter inked by Shaikh Ayaz to Mohammad Ibrahim Joyo, thereby driving the point home how esoteric Ayaz was in his themes and thoughts.
PhD thesis authored by Dr. Fayaz Latif entitled “Aesthetics in the verse of Ayaz” was also launched on this occasion.
VC-SU and other dignitaries jointly inaugurated Shaikh Ayaz Corner at the institute gallery of prominent personalities.
An exhibition featuring photos of Shaikh Ayaz also opened at the occasion and it will be open to audience today too.
Towards the other end, a theatre performance based on poetic drama written by Shaikh Ayaz “The Death of Dodo Soomro” was also performed on stage at Shaikh Ayaz Auditorium of Arts Faculty Building of the varsity, which will be followed by musical concert.