Poetically diverse

“The programme was a great success,” says Govardhan Sharma ‘Ghayal’ of the Sindhi Adabi Sabha. “The response was very good,with many teachers,professors and doctors attending the function and it was a new experiment,of providing Sindhi translations for English poetry,for which we had especially called a translator from Mumbai.”

The Sindhi Adabi Sabha is,at present,the only Sindhi institution in Pune. Started in May 2000,it had a humble start,with only 20 members who were interested in Sindhi literature. However,the institution has been organising monthly literary gatherings of all the Sindhi writers in Pune ever since then.

“The purpose of the organisation is to encourage young,budding writers who write in Sindhi. At present,Sindhi doesn’t seem attractive,so that is why we hold cultural programmes,so that we can attract youngsters,” says Sharma.

In an attempt to build its reputation,the Sabha has invited many Sindhi writers for recitals,and has,on occasion,felicitated them. “However,our biggest achievement to date has been when we were able to successfully invite two writers from Sindh,Pakistan,” adds Sharma.

The Sabha also publishes an annual book in which they publish a few of the works of writers in that language. The committee also arranges for the publication of the works of individual writers and also organises many cultural programmes. The Kavi Anuvadak was the fourth in collaboration with Sahitya Akademi.