HYDERABAD, March 3: Shaikh Ayaz is the greatest Sindhi poet after Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai. This appeared to be the consensus at a gathering held here on Friday evening to observe his 84th birth anniversary.

Speakers at the gathering, jointly organized by the Sindhi Adabi Sangat and Sindhi Language Authority, said that the services of Shaikh Ayaz for Sindh and Sindhi literature could never be forgotten. They said that the immortal poet had created awakening among the Sindhi people during the most turbulent period in the recent history of Sindh.

Veteran intellectual Ibrahim Joyo said that through his poetry, Shaikh Ayaz had given the massage of freedom and added that one had to think many times before speaking on the poet as he was the embodiment of wisdom.Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz leader and noted intellectual Abdul Wahid Arisar said that Shaikh Ayaz was not only a poet of love but also a great revolutionary poet and exponent of change in status quo.

Mr Arisar said that great personalities emerged on the surface during the periods of slavery of their nations. He said that Gandhi emerged on the Indian scene because India had been made slave by Britain and, similarly, Shaikh Ayaz came to the fore at a time when ‘Sindh was enslaved.’

Versatile short story writer Ali Baba recalled that when Shaikh Ayaz was appointed vice-chancellor of the Sindh University, he gave employment to men of letters. Mehtab Mehboob, Taj Joyo and Dr Qazi Khadim also paid tribute to the renowned poet.

EXAM RESCHEDULE: The Sindh Agriculture University has rescheduled the examinations which could not be held due to a mob’s attack on the university on February 24.