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Renowned Sindhi writer and scholar Siraj Memon passed away!

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My Humble Homage, My Tearful Tribute to Siraj Memon

By Dr. Ahmed H. Makhdoom

Extremely saddened and shocked to learn about the tragic passing-away of our venerable elder Saaeen Sirajul Haque Memon.

Sirajul Haque was few years younger from my late father’s generation. However, he knew my late father as a friends and colleague for as long as I remember along with the greats of Sindh like the late Shaikh Ayaz, late Tanveer Abbasi and many other respected and revered scholars, writers and intellectuals of Sindh.

Sirajul Haque was a versatile and veritable writer, intellectual, scholar, literary figure, journalist, philosopher and a wise, sagacious and saintly being of the glorious Land of Sindh! He was, perhaps, the last of the greats and brilliant luminaries of Sindh who, through their extraordinary writings, compositions, texts, poetry and books par excellence enlightened the hearts and illuminated the minds of many of the ordinary beings like my own self throughout Sindh, who were always thirsty for knowledge and sagacity, scholarship and prudence.

Born at Tando Jam, Sindh, in 1933 he breathed his last at the age of 79 years old on 2nd Feabruary, 2013. Author of about a dozen scholarly works on History, Culture, Language and Literature of Sindh, he was also a journalist and a former Editor of Hilal-e-Pakistan, a Sindhi Newspaper which was published from Karachi, Sindh. His book “Parraaddo So Saddu” (in Sindhi پَڙاڏو سو سَڏُ) was amongst his masterpieces. He also wrote short stories and novels, which were treasured and like all over the Sindhi-speaking world in Sindh, Hind and the Diaspora.

Sirajul Haque’s innumerable books, novels, articles and newspaper and magazine columns were truly, enriching, entertaining, pleasing, amusing, engaging and highly heart-warming and enamouring.

He was amongst the pioneers of healthy, factual and noble journalism in Sindh. In passing away of Sirajul Haque Memon, this glittering and glimmering Lamp of Wisdom, this country, especially Sindh, has lost that brightness and brilliance leaving our Land poor, destitute and lightless.

Alas! The filial, devoted and worthy beings who, nurtured our hearts and minds and nourished our souls no more in our Motherland stay:

اَڄُ نَہ اوطاقُن

۾؍ سي طالِبَ تَنواريِن؍

آديسي اُٿي ويا؍

مَڑھيۇن مۇن ماريِن؍

ھۇجي جيٸَ کي جياريِن؍

سي لاھۇتي لَڏي ويا؍

(شاھُ

ڀِٽاٸيؒ)

“Acju na otaaqun mein, sei taliba tanwaareen,

Aadeisee uthee wayaa, marrhiyuun muun mareen,

Huu jei jeeya khei jiyaareen, sei laahuutee laddei wayaa.”

(Shah Bhittai)

“Alas! Worthy devotees found not in courtyards today,

Noble disciples gone forever, their solemn absence does slay,

Filial ones nourished our souls, no more in motherland stay.”

(Shah Bhittai: Translated by Ahmed Makhdoom)

Courtesy: Sindhi e-lists/ e-groups, February 2, 2013

One thought on “Renowned Sindhi writer and scholar Siraj Memon passed away!”

  1. When we speak Dr. Siraj Memon, an intellectual, literary, great artist, historian and a novelist comes to our mind. He was a legend among the literary company. He was a larger than life figure. He brought about novelty in the approach towards the history of literature. He served sindhi nation selflessly and devotedly. He would remain in our hearts forever. Although he is no more with us, his work will guide us and illumine our way.

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