by Altaf Shaikh
Last week I had a lecture in Sindhi & Urdu Departments of Osaka University, Osaka Japan. It was nice to speak with japanese professors and Japanese students in Sindhi language. It was also nice to visit Osaka after some 30 years. During my ship service as Marine engineer I was a regular visitor of Osaka from 1970 to 1980. Mr. Mamiya San is Head of Sindhi Dept. He did M.A. from Sindh University in 1990.
December 3, 2010
According to “We Journalists” 16 Tv channels, 35 daily newspapers 20 FM radios, K.U.J, We Journalists, Karachi and Hyderabad press clubs, along with all press clubs of Sindh, finally decided to celebrate cultural day jointly on 4th December, 2010 over the platform of “Sindh Media Forum”.
M. Faqir Muhano is playing a Sindhi Saz named “Surando”.
Sindhi Cultural and Solidarity day is being celebrated throughout the world on 4th and 5th December. We welcome this initiative and would like to participate to offer our humble service to strengthen peaceful voice of Sindhi culture.
Wearing or displaying any symbol and artifact of Sindhi Culture will enhance the spirit of the day. Some community members have shown interest and arranging Sindhi cultural artifacts and they will be displayed in the Hall, you are also invited to wear or bring in Sindhi cultural materials of your choice to celebrate the day. Refreshment will be served
Venue: PCA HALL 507-4656, West Wind Drive NE, AB T3J 3Z5, Date/Time: December 5th 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. RSVP – Mazhar Memon, Asim Kaghzi, Sanjay Panjwani, Asif Panhwar.
Washington: Many organizations and media in Sindh have decided to celebrate Unity and Sindhi Cultural Day in Sindh. Let us show our solidarity with our kith and kin in Sindh by celebrating this day on Saturday, December 4, 2010. Please join Iqbal Tareen, the President of Silver Lining International, Inc. and the author of “Harvest will come” in McLean, Virginia at 6:00 PM. If possible, please dress in our national outfit for this unique occasion. Complimentary pizza of your choice and light beverages will be served. Please feel free to bring food and beverages of your choice if your heart desires but it is not mandatory. There is plenty of guest parking. Here is our address for event: 1910 Holly Ridge Drive, # T2, McLean, VA 22102.
Courtesy: Sindhi e-lists/ e-groups.
Toronto : Join Toronto Sindhi Community in celebrating, International Sindhi Cultural & Solidarity Day. Venue: @Party Hall, 85 Thorncliffe Park Drive, East York, Toronto, ON. Major intersection: Don Mills Rd & Eglinton Ave East. Sunday, December 5th, 2010, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Participate wearing Sindhi Ajrak and Topi. Every year millions of Sindhis around the world celebrate their rich culture and heritage on Saturday and Sunday, the first week of December . Sindh is the land of centuries old civilization, Indus Civilization which promotes peace, respect, communal harmony, liberalism, tolerance, diversity, multiculturalism and sufism. Coffee and Dinner will be served. Please RSVP by Friday December 3rd, 2010: Aijaz Shaikh, Siraj Makhdoom, Rasheed Jatoi.
The festivities of 541 birthday of ”Baba Guru Nanak Devji”, the first Sikh Guru who spread the message of peace, equality, brotherhood and communal harmony has celebrated by tens of hundreds Sindhi male and female devotees at Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi, Sindh by offering prayers. The participants were served with drinks, juices and sweets.
The procession of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji was remained within the premises of Swaminarayan Mandir. The Holy book of Guru Granth Sahib was beautifully decorated with flowers. Sindhi devotees danced on the beats of drums & they were chanting slogans Jo Boley So Nehal & Wahay Guru Gi Ki, Fateh. They recite the holy book Guru Granth Sahib in Gurmukhi but they recite bajans and threw light on the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak ji in Sindhi language and asked devotees to follow the teachings of Baba Guru Nanak Devji which are very relevant in these days. The strict security measures were taken by Sindh police to avoid any untoward incident.
For video and more details :- BBC urdu
The more you hear the song .. the more you love the song!
Courtesy: Following article has appeared in the ‘Femina’, ‘Bharat Ratna’, ‘Amil Samchar’ and in the Hindvasi (Translated into Sindhi)
A TRIP TO SINDH-A JOURNEY TO MY ROOTS
By Shakun Narain Kimatrai
Mid– 1986 – The Kimatrai Building still majestically stands in Hyderabad Sindh
We finally made it! To Hyderabad Sindh that is! My husband Narain and myself finally left on a trip that would make us set foot on the very soil that we had left 39 years ago.
When I told my Sindhi friends in Bombay that I was leaving for Pakistan, they showed a lot of interest-in fact more interest than had I told them that I was going to London, New York or to Timbuktu for that matter. But why was I surprised at their reaction? After all I was going back to the land of our birth, to the land and houses which we had left reluctantly with tears in our eyes and to which we had been denied access for so many seasons.
Those friends to whom I told about my trip to Pakistan, not only showed interest but a variety of emotions.
I sensed in them envy, apprehension and fear for my safety—as a matter of fact a friend of mine asked: “Going to Hyderabad Sindh, Shakun, are you sure you will be back?
Though I was a little apprehensive myself I was not really afraid. After all of whatever kind may have been the frenzy during partition-I had the confidence on the fact that we Sindhis having drank from the same Indus Sindhu water for centuries prior to the sad separating event, they would welcome us with the age-old ‘Sikka’ (affection) of the Sindhis.
From Bombay, we first landed at Lahore where the hotels are comparable to any other good 5-star hotel elsewhere in the world.
Whenever one goes out of India, one is midst strangers from a different land, so to speak-one looks different and talks a different tongue. While in Lahore, what struck me was that no-one could tell that I was a foreigner there-we looked alike and spoke the same language. Then why? Why did one have to go through customs and immigration at the airport like an outsider? I felt sad.
Amongst the elite, the ladies do not practice purdah as a rule. They wear salwar kameezes made in the latest style. The people of Pakistan enjoy good food, though alcoholic beverages are at least visibly absent.
My charming Pakistani hostess took me around sight-seeing and shopping and she proudly presented me everywhere around as her Indian friend from Bombay. Her friends and the sales people generally welcomed me warmly and even courteously gave me discounts on their goods.
Amongst the common citizens of Pakistan whom I met, I felt that there was competition with India as far as Economical progress or a game of cricket was concerned-which according to me is healthy and natural of any set of neighbors.
At a couple of parties that I attended and where my host learned that I enjoyed singing, they requested me, not to sing a ghazal or a film song, but a ‘Bhajan’! Is it possible that they subconsciously miss the Hindus and their culture in their midst?
I myself having lived in Bombay in cosmopolitan surroundings almost all my life, did feel rather restricted being surrounded by only Muslims in their country.
From Lahore we flew to Karachi from where it was a mere 2 hours drive to my birth-place Hyderabad in Sindh.
It was unfamiliar seeing the Arabic Sindhi script strewn all over on hoardings and advertisements and the milestones on the road ; though odd, the feeling was pleasant.
Once we approached Hyderabad I found my husband’s voice getting more emotional. He remembered the roads, as he was 9 years old when he had to leave his home-town. He instructed our friend who was driving to take us to a certain spot, to stop; after which he wanted to find the way up to his old house himself.
Times of India Group is offering FREE Sindhi Magazine to all Sindhi Families living in India. Please click the following link to get free Sindhu magazine.
Sab Chao Jhulelal, Theendav Bberra Paar. Sindhi song on Jhulelal sung at Chaliha Sahib on second last day of Chliha Festival in Sindhunagar, Mumbai.
Organized by Sindhi Sangat in Dubai on 12th November 2010
This year Sindhi Sangat brings to Dubai, its 12th Musical show titled “Sindhyat Jee Mauj” a grand evening of Dance and Music by leading artiste of India Girish Sadhwani and Rajiv Sapru from Dubai and incomparable Sanam Marvi from Sindh.
These artistes will enthrall Sindhis of the UAE along with Umesh Pherwani a very popular standup comedy artist from India.
Arts Council ( Near Sindh Assembly Building) Karachi Sindh has planned a 4 day Sindh festival covering Society, Language and Literature in Sindhi on Thu, Fri, Sat & Sunday, 25,26,27 & 28 November 2010. It has planned various things including Literary, cultural and heritage sessions and sittings. You are requested to please keep your four days free for memorable festival events and make Arts Council Karachi-Sindh a centre of Excellence for Culture and literary sessions.
IN DIFFERENT SESSIONS WE DISCUSS AND REVIEW THE SINDHI SOCIETY : 1. SINDHI LANGUAGE ITS IMPACTS ON OTHER LANGUAGES AND OTHERS ON SINDHI LANGUAGE, 2. SINDHI POETRY, 3. SINDHI STORIES, 4. SINDHI TRAVELOGUE WRITERS, 5. SINDHI NOVELISTS, 6. EXPERTS ON SHAH LATEEF, SHAH INAYAT, SACHAL SARMAST 7. EXPERT ON COMPUTERS, 8. EXPERTS ON LANGUAGE, 9. EXPERTS IN MEDIA, TV CHANNELS, FM RADIOS, 10. HANDICRAFTS, 11. VIDEO DOCUMENTARIES 12. ARCHEOLOGY &THERE WOULD BE BOOK LAUNCHINGS.
1. BOOK FAIR, 2. PAINTING EXHIBITIONS, 3. BOOK STALLS , 4. SINDHI COOKING, 5. SINDHI MUSIC
All Publishers and Publishing Houses including : Sindh University Press, Sindhology, Sindhi Language Authority, Sindhika, Roshni Publishers and all others are requested to come for Book Stalls for their Company/ Organizations. Arts council would provide place, Tables, Covers, Electricty, Free of Cost.
–YouTube Link
Khaliq Junejo of Jeay Sindh Mahaz is talking in Sindh Dharti Tv program on Sindh Jo Muqadmo. The Language of Talk show is Sindhi.
Courtesy: Sindh Dharti TV
Sada Hayat Gobind Malhi is a legend of Sindhi literature. The language of interview is Sindhi.
– YouTube Link
Courtesy : Sindh TV – Link
>> Link
Sorrows of Flood Victims in Sindh (Pakistan) Resonate at Capitol Hill
Advocacy by Sindhi Americans on Behalf of Sindhi Victims of Flood
By: Khalid Hashmani
Washington D.C. – Last week, the Americans of Sindhi descend and their supporters went all out to create awareness about the plight of flood victims in Sindh (Pakistan) in Washington DC circles. There were several events in Washington D.C. on Wednesday (September 22) and Thursday (September 23) that focused on the devastation and destruction caused by recent floods upon the people of Sindh. The primary goal and objectives of these activities were to appeal to American people for their generous donations to flood relief effort and to draw their attention to the attempts by Pakistani establishment to unfairly distribute international assistance among flood-affected provinces at the expense of Sindhi flood victims.
Dinner with Congressman Steve Kagen
Continue reading Sorrows of Flood Victims in Sindh (Pakistan) Resonate at Capitol Hill
Sindhi Song (kalaam) from Rajasthan with Sindhi instrument Sarangi. Singer Lakho khan Manganiar.
>> Link
Sindh Flood Relief Fundraiser- September 9 from 6PM to 9PM
Sindhi Association of New Jersey (SANJ) has teamed up & actively supports Hemant’s Initiative for SINDH FLOOD RELIEF. Take the little effort to attend the event evening.
An awareness/fund raising event will be held for Sindh relief victims – featuring jazz singer Sachal Vasandani, Nita Chawla, and global environmental/solar energy band Solarpunch.org. All three have given their time and talent generously pro bono, and they all believe in the unity of this collective community and in the betterment of humanity – they are truly a blessing to us in our community as many of you will see on on Thursday September 9 from 6PM to 9PM, Sumei Multidisciplinary Arts Center, 85 Hamilton Street (corner of Hamilton and NJ Railroad Avenue), Newark, NJ.
Strength is in numbers. It is not so much about the donation, but what we can create with that collective energy. If you live away from NJ/NY/CT, we encourage you to organise local fundraisers. Let us know and we will guide you on this. A GLOBAL SINDHI FUND for SINDH FLOOD RELIEF PROJECTS is also in the works.
SITUATION OF FLOODS IN SINDH AND WORK FOR THE RELIEF AND REHABILITATION OF SINDHI PEOPLE
London – The unprecedented floods in Sindh continue even after a month. Scandalously still new major towns and hundreds of villages continue being inundated resulting in displacement of hundreds of thousands more Sindhis, bringing further destruction of communities, livelihood, crops, homes and infrastructure.
WSC believes, that the current floods in Sindh and resulting unprecedented destruction is a concerted effort to direct the destructive powers of a natural phenomenon to eliminate and uproot a nation and subject them to a long-term process of slow genocide. These assertions are based on the following facts, inferences and analysis:
1. Sindh has been drowned resulting from literally hundreds of breaches to river waters in Kashmore, Jacobabad, Sukkur, Shikarpur, Larkana, Dadu and Thatta. There are serious questions, suspicions and concerns within Sindhi people, and now even the government circles, about the first major breach, Thori bund. This breach so far has resulted in displacement of about five million people, drowning of 4000 towns and villages, loss of trillions of worth property and crops and immeasurable pain, suffering and indeterminate consequences. The British authorities who built the Sukkur barrage recommended cutting river Indus from Ali Wahan if the water levels cross the threshold of barrage’s capacity. As the waters will then divert to the desert areas of Naro, Thar and eventually ending in sea taking historical routes of Hakro and Mehrano riverbeds. Off course, this also would have resulted in displacement but the population is sparse, sand has far greater ability to absorb water and people in such circumstances occupy high locations on sandy dunes. It is now emerging that the river Indus was cut at Thori to mainly to save Panoo Aaqil cantonment, Qadirpur gas installations and Fauji Fertiliser.
by Jamil Hussain Junejo, Bin Qasim Town, Karachi
Such grave devastation through flood did not suffice desires of the nature. Probably, nature wants more.Therfore; it brought rain couple with medium level wind in District Thatta and Badin apart from other regions of Sindh on Wednesday. Most of the affectees staying under open sky and into fragile tents suffered a lot. The community which seemingly suffered more was Bagri community which was tentless because they were neglected by district authorities which like various sections of society consider them untouchables.” Nature did not discriminate in affecting the people but people discriminate in relief services” complained Bhooran, 32 years old mother of four children residing under open skey near society chock at Makli city of district Thatta.
Continue reading “Rain made add up to the sufferings of the Bagri community”
India – Ulhasnagar – Premier show of the New hilarious Comedy Sindhi film “Trapada Teshan te” was arranged at Ashok Anil Theatre of Ulhasnagar one day before the film was being released. The Show was organised by Saeen Balram of Dharamdas Darbar, Ulhasnagar.
Prominent dignitaries of Ulhasnagar, Director Mohan Sachdev and many artistes of the Film graced the occassion.
The film is presented by Loveen arts, Nagpur. Rajesh Chhabrani, Pahlaj Sachani, Narayan Demble and Vinod Ramani are producers of the film.
The film is out and out comedy written by Kishor Lalwani and Directed by Mohan Sachdev.
Many drama artistes Aarti Jadwani, Jeetu Vazirani,Sanjay rohra, Rakesh Karda, Ashok PunjabiVijay Bhawnani (from Mumbai ), Gopal Khemani,Kishor Lalwani, Tulsi Setiya, Ashok Jeswani,Vinod Ramani,Naresh Mohnani, Laxman Thawani, Vijay Widhani ,Parso Chelani, (From Nagpur)have played their characters nicely.
The film is released by the same group which released the well marketed and successful film “vaeesara Ee Gum” which is still running in many cities.
September 1, 2010
London : Press Release – A remembrance meeting in London paid high tribute to Nawab Akber Bugti on his 4th martyrdom anniversary. The function was organized by the Baloch Human Rights Council (UK) and World Sindhi Congress in the London University Union Building on Sunday 29th August 2010. The meeting was presided over by the Baloch intellectual & writer and the Coordinator of Sindhi Baloch forum Dr. Naseer Dashti and was attended by a large number of Baloch, Sindhis and other human rights activists in the UK. Samad Baloch General Secretary BHRC (UK) conducted the proceedings of the meeting.
One minute silence was observed to pay respect to Nawab Bugti. A number of speakers paid tributes to Nawab Akber Bugti for his services to the Baloch and for sacrificing his life for the salvation of his nation.
Prominent among those who paid rich homage to the legendary Baloch leader included Dr. Lakhu Luhana, Mrs. Stella, Mir Aslam Buledi, Jamshed Amiri, Rahim Bandovi, Abdulla Baloch, Walid Garboni, Hashim Baloch, Mehrab Sarjovi, Ghulam Raza Hosseinbor, Dr. Haleem Bahtti, Mir Ghulam Hussain , Ms Suriya Makhdooom and Qadir Jatoi. The speakers urged the Baloch and Sindhi people to follow the legendary leader’s actions as the two nations are facing the most critical moment in their national history.
Continue reading Nawab Bugti Remembered by the Baloch and Sindhis in the UK
Pakistan flood victims ‘have no concept of terrorism’
By Mohammed Hanif
…These areas are of no strategic interest to anyone because they have neither exported terrorism nor do they have the ambition to join a fight against it.
Their only export to the world outside is onions, tomatoes, sugar cane, wheat and mangoes.
The word terrorism does not even exist in Seraiki and Sindhi, the languages of the majority of the people who have been rendered homeless.
They belong to that forgotten part of humanity that has quietly tilled the land for centuries, the small farmers, the peasants, the farmhands, generations of people who are born and work and die on the same small piece of land.
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