Sindhi Adabi Board

Sindhi Adabi Board is a government sponsored institution for the promotion of Sindhi literature.^[1] It was established in 1955 in Jamshoro, Sindh.^[2] It is under the Education Department of the Government of Sindh.

Introduction

Board has helped publishish the field of Folklore, poetry, research and original literary works. Scholars and writers from Pakistan work with the Board for the development of literature.

The organization has published titles related to language, literature, Folklore, Lexicography, Archaeology and Child literature. These works have included\ anthologies of poetry works of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Chen Rai Sami, Khalifo Nabi Bux Laghari, Miyoon Shah Inayat, Hamal Khan Laghari, Makhdoom Talib-ul-Maula and other mystic poets of Sindh.

The Board has also Published selected works, manuscripts and other writings from world literature in Sindhi language through translations.

Background

Literature serves as a prime source of change for any society and offers powerful solutions to all social, political and psychological problems of its times. Similarly, Sindhi literature has also been serving this purpose for about past five thousand years, continuing till today. There have been a few changes however in its role and "Literature for life" The Civilizations of Moen-jo-Daro, Amri and Bhambhore, render rich evidence in support of the above statement. Before the art of writing men desire to communicate. The next development came in the form of purpose full line making and symbol forming inside the caves, which finally led to the initial stages. The famous known "Vedas" in history were also written this by the banks of mighty Sindhu (River Indus). Literary relics in the British Museums today speak of the Buddhist influences known for their literary richness cast over early literary taste. With advent of Arabs, Sindh received peaceful impact of Islam and Sindhi language had the honor of expressing the divine massage (The Holy Quran) in the form of translation . The Soomra and same period followed, this was the time of adolescence for Sindhi literature and the battles between the two planted seeds of lyrical Ballads. Religious verse also took life in this particular period of time, Pir Sadaruddin Shah Rashdi was the pioneer of this verse who invented "Ginnan" as a new genre in Sindhi literatures. The Sama period is known as the golden age of Sindhi verse. Qazi Kadan, Shaikh Hamad, Ishaq Aahangar and Mamooi Fakirs were the leading poets of this period Continue......

The times of the Arghons, the Trakhans and the Mughals Being the times of imposed vision gave rise to nationalistic feelings in Sindhi literature and the verse of Makhdoom Nooh Sarwar, Lutfullah Kadri, Shah Inayat Rizvi Convey the Pain and anguish experienced by the local people throughout two hundred and fifty year. The time of Kalhora dynasty in Sindh is known as the summit of success of sindhi literature. The kalhoras were indigenous people of sindh who succeeded in healing the wounds of local people by reuniting the broken sheltered country into one state with solidarity as its hallmark. This is why, great mystic poet like Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai was also the Product of this period of Prosperity and national cohesion. The verse of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai not only cast long shadows in social and political directions but also Revolutionized the literacy taste and standard all over the place. Sindhi manuscript ad save sindhi literature into times of Mir Dynasty a giant rise. Sachal Sarmast, Chain Rai Sami, Bachoo Mal Lund, Hamal Faqeer Laghari were the poet heroes of this period.

Though the British were non-native, yet soon after settling down in sindh they are took up the task of formalizing sindhi manuscript and soon succeeded in their efforts. This development gave an impetus of colossal kind to indhi literatures by laying down the foundation of formal publication of sindhi language. It was at this point of time that think-tanks in sindh realized the dire need of a sort of a platform in succession to this in which could initiate, supervise and promote the publication and the publicity campaign in Sindhi language, "Federal Advisory Board" in August 1940. However in September 1950 a high power executive committee was constituted in this regard and in March 1955 Sindhi Adabi Board was Brought into being for above-said objectives.

Mhammad Ibrahim Joyo served as the first secretary of thes Board and many other luminaries served the same seat at the different epochs.

History

Sindh through centuries has remained cradle of literature. It has given birth to so many literary persons, poets, educationists and intellectuals, who have not only served their own language but have also enriched world literature. This is the cause that literary persons like Imam Qazai, Abu Abu Ashaar and Abu Atta have been enjoying great reputation in the history of letters all over the world Sindh has also contributed in the enrichment of Persian literature, particularly under the rule of Tarkhans, Moghals, Kalhoras, Before British era (1843), literary activities of Sindhi Society took place at the poets/personalities, private campuses of religious families and Maddarssahs.

In 1853 during the tenure of Commissioner of Sindh Sir Bartel Frere some advancement was made in different directions of Sindhi literature. It became possible during this era, when script of Sindhi language was standardized and official documents were published in Sindhi Language, while considering the developmental and educational needs of the area the British Government of Sindh constituted vernacular literature Committee, under whose guidance varicose books in Sindhi were written and translated.

In the first instance Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo took over as Secretary, where as Chief Minister being Head of Provincial Administration became Chairman of the Board. Afterward from time time various literary persons, intellectuals and writers remained Chairman and Secretaries of the Board and performed their duties efficiently. The Board was registered with Assistant Registrar of Joint Stock Committee Khairpur in 1957 under Registration of Societies act 468/1860 dated March 1958.

This Board Completed its Period of three years as such new Board was constituted accordingly Some changes were made from time to time in the roles of different committees Members of Board of Governors.

List of Heads

List of Chairmen or Chairperson is under.

Mr. Mohammad Ayub Khuhro (Chief Minister Sindh) December 1951 to March 1955

Mr. Mohammad Ayub Khuhro March 1955 to September 1961

Mr. Niaz Ahmed (Comissinor Hyderabad) September 1961 to November 1961

Mr. Makhdoom Mohammad Zaman Talib-ul-mola November 1961 to July 1977

Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasmi October 1977 to January 1989

Janab Makhdoom Mohammad Zaman Talib-ul-mola January 1989 to April 1992

Doctor Abdul Jabbar Junejo March 1993 to 31 October 1994

Mr. Hussain Shah Rashidi October 1994 to 30 November 1996

Mr. Abdul Hameed Akhoond (Acting) December 1996 to December 1996

Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo December 1996 to 12 July 2002

Mr. Irfanullah Khan Marwat (Minister of Education) September 2003 to June 2004

Mr. Mazhar-ul-Haq Siddiqi (Acting) June 2004 to July 2004

Doctor Hamida Khuhro (Minister of Education) 13 July 2004 to Up to date
Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi (Press Secretary to Chief Minister) 23 June 2006 Up to date

Founder

[Mr. GM SYED]

Translated books published

In Sindhi

Eastwick, Dry Leaves from Young Egypt,1973

Present Secretary

Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Mangi

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