Faiz's Sindhi translation launched on his 102nd birth anniversary

KARACHI: Faiz Ahmed Faiz's five books translated into Sindhi language were launched and his 102nd birth anniversary was celebrated on Wednesday (Wednesday) here at National Museum of Pakistan.

Poets, writers, literary persons, journalists, politicians, elite attended the ceremony. Sindh Minister for Culture Ms. Sassui Palejo was the chief guest. Sindh Secretary Culture Abdul Aziz Uqaili was also present. The programme was organised by Sindh Ministry of Culture in collaboration with Anjuman Taraqi Pasand Musanifeen-Pakistan.

These five books are based on prose of late Faiz Ahmed Faiz. These are named "Pakistani Saqafat", "Faiz Ja Khat," "Faiz Saan Rehaniyoon," "Mizan" and "Na Wisran Moor".

The poetry of Faiz is also being translated in Sindhi by renowned Sindhi poet Imdad Hussaini.

All this work has been got done by Sindh Culture Department on the directives of President Asif Ali Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. The Sindh Culture Minister personally monitored this work which helped in its completion within a short time.

President Zardari had declared 2011 as the year of Faiz and start of this translation work followed.

The poetry of late Faiz had already been translated into Arabic, Japanese, Bengali, Mangolian, Persian languages. Now, it is being translated into Sindhi.

Faiz Ahmed Faiz had fought for human rights, respect and well-being of the common man and freedom of speech besides preaching love for the homeland and the nation as a whole.

He faced very tough time including being in prison for years during dictatorial regimes in the country. It was Faiz Ahmed Faiz who had presented the first cultural policy.

Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palejo said that Sindh Government has sincerely pursued Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's vision /philosophy of promotion of poetry, culture and arts.

Shaheed Mohtarma had fought against extremism/ terrorism and preached for freedom of speech, human rights and democracy till the last day of her life, she said.

We celebrate our heroes and great literary personalities like Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Shaikh Ayaz. She urged the people to remember such personalities who contributed a lot for reforming the society and fought even for the rights of people especially the supressed ones, Sassui said.

However, she said, we have left models for the next government as much more has to be done in this regard.

The Minister said Faiz Ahmed Faiz Research Chair would be set up in Karachi soon to promote his works.

She informed the meeting that the construction of Sindh Cultural and Heritage Institute has started last week here within the premises of National Museum. It would have various art galleries representing different communities living in Sindh province.

Sassui informed that the National Museum in Karachi is now the property of Sindh after the 18th constitutional amendment. This would help to promote our culture and literature.

Member of Sindh Assembly from Larkana, Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi paying rich tribute said Faiz never compromised and stood up against dictators and all usurpers.

"People like Faiz are seldom born," he remarked.

He urged that Sindh Culture Department should do more work on Faiz and other literary personalities.

General Secretary of Pakistan People's Party (Sindh) Taj Haider said that Faiz Ahmed Faiz is a world figure. However, it is our responsibility to highlight his literary work, his long struggle for human rights and socio-economic equality.

He recalled that Faiz had remained in Hyerabad Central Prison for a long period where he had done most of his literary work including the poetry.

He proposed that the barrack in Hyderabad jail where Faiz was kept be declared as national heritage.

Sindh Secretary Culture Abdul Aziz Uqaili highlighted the efforts made by his ministry for the promotion of culture and literature including translation of Faiz's poetry and prose into Sindhi language.

He informed that Culture Department had got printed 160 books in last five years and 50 more books were in process of printing.

"We also organised many literary conferences including international conferences on Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai."

Over last five years, Sindh Cultural Department had established ten public libraries increasing their number to 22. Another 22 libraries were under construction, he said.

He said Cultural and Heritage centres were being set up at district level and till date seven centres have been established.

He said an Endowment Fund was set up by the Culture Department and 600 literary personalities and poets had benefitted so far.

Others who spoke were Zaffarullah Poshini, President, Anjuman Taraqi Pasand Musanifeen, Dr. Badaruddin Ujan, Sehar Imdad, Rahat Saeed, Nazir Leghari and Amanullah Shaikh.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2013