‘The Tribute’ by Shaikh Aziz pays homage to South Asian achievers
- Last updated: January 20, 2025 | 09:52
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
Coffee table book ‘The Tribute’ authored by veteran journalist Shaikh Aziz (d. 2018), gives a whirlwind tour of the lives and works of nearly a hundred cultural workers and social leaders of Pakistan and also its near abroad, India, through a compilation of articles written by Aziz in Dawn, one of Pakistan’s leading dailies, and its sister publication, The Star. 227 printed pages long, it is published by Tariq Aziz Shaikh, the late author’s son, and Baakh Publications, Karachi. Writers, singers, actors, social workers and political leaders, are all vividly presented here. Given the obvious passion the subjects have roused in the author and his own driven sense of journalistic purpose, it is difficult to think that most of the creatives figuring in the work are no more.
The first piece in ‘The Tribute’ is on G. M. Syed, veteran political leader whose political commitments, as Aziz notes, “overshadowed his creativity as a writer”. A big list of Syed’s books is given in the volume.
The bio of author, analyst and politician Pir Ali Mohammad Rashdi follows; he had the capacity to walk “both in the corridors of power and lobbies of the opposition.” Hemu Kalani, whom the British hanged to death for fighting against them, wins Aziz’s fulsome praise.
“Never before had any person waiting execution,” he says, “had put on weight except Hemu, who, when weighed a few hours before hanging, had added five pounds to his body after the verdict.” This happened “not because he loved the gallows, but because he dreamt of a free land.”
Shaikh Ayaz, a doyen of modern Sindhi literature, is survived by 45 collections of poetry, short stories, essays and diaries.
Academician and author Sayed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, it is mentioned, was a “staunch collector of walking sticks; he had a collection of over 800 sticks, some of them art pieces. It is perhaps the largest personal collection in the country.”
Prolific fiction writer Dr. Najam Abbasi’s work is described this way: “Like an accomplished artist, he painted the realities of life.” Short story writer Jamal Abro, “the stylist with a purpose, observed his society deeply, its miseries camouflaged as traditions and tribal customs.”
Dr. Majid Memon “wrote enormously. He has to his credit over 60 books and various anthologies – a feat very few Sindhi writers have achieved.” Ghazal poet Ali Mohammad Majrooh; revolutionary poet Ibrahim Munshi; versatile writer and journalist Faqir Mohammad Lashari; Khairunissa Jafri, who spoke against social taboos, which won her acclaim; Taj Sehrai, who moved from journalism to creative writing; women’s magazine editor Khadija Daudpota; Kehar Shaukat, who could write in both Sindhi and Urdu; Ali Nawaz Wafai, noted newsman-turned-politician; Master Chander, whose music could keep listeners spell bound, no matter how old he had grown; popular Kafi singers Abdullah Kachhi, Faqir Abdul Ghafoor, Pathanay Khan and Mohammad Yousuf (Kafi is a classical form of Sufi music and Khan’s songs are listeners’ favourites on Pakistan’s highways); Jalal Chandio, a throaty voiced virtuoso of Sindhi music; folk music greats Dhol Faqir and Faqir Yar Ali; female singer Mai Bhagi and talented singer Abida Parveen, who still regales people in almost all musical genres – each of them has pages devoted to them.
Vocalist Shahida who enchanted Radio Pakistan and Pakistan Television audiences; innovative instrumentalist Mir Mohammad Lund who played two instruments with both his hands, with bells attached to his fingers to extend the rhythm; Bilawal Belgium, who turned the banjo into a magical instrument; Munir Sarhadi, who blended classical music with Pashto musical variations; Fauzia Sooomro, who sang in more than one language with equal tonal beauty; Pakistani singer, songwriter, and music director Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan; Indian classical Kathak dancer Maharaj Ghulam Hussain; sarangi player Ustad Umrao Bundoo Khan (sarangi is a three-stringed musical instrument); sarod player Ustad Nazar Hussain (sarod is a stringed musical instrument); Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj; Indian musician Budhatiya Mukherjee who chose music over engineering; classical vocalist Lalita Rao, who chose music over electronics; Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, who travelled from chemistry to music; Indian Hindustani classical singer Parween Sultana; former Indian film music legend Talat Mahmood; Mohan Kalpana, Indian writer who wrote in the Sindhi language; Indian qawwali singer Shakeela Bano Bhopali; Mohammad Ifrahim, who sang hundreds of Pakistani national songs; actors Mahmood Siddiqui, Farid Nawaz and Shahzadi; and wrestlers Sher Mirbahar and Bakhar Sheedi, are among those who find honourable mention.
Though the book lays bare the tragedies of some of the lives, it also goes into their ecstasies. Since the narrative also has political details and describes musical forms in depth, it is quite informative and educative.
Its gravitas is lightened by the wry humour of the author. In one place, he says that many of the individuals written about earned a place in the hearts of people, but could hardly earn two square meals a day. The personal touches provided by the author also heightens the readability of the book.
About social worker Dr. Khan Mohammad Panwhar, the author says: “As a teacher, he always tried to help his students to any extent; as a scholar, he showed great enthusiasm for his subject; and as a social worker, he would lend assistance to anybody who sought it.” Aziz knew many of the people he wrote about; we must thank him for letting us know about them too. In paying a tribute to immortals, he has strengthened his own immortality.