KARACHI: Three books on the art and history of Sindh — Art and Architecture of Sindh by Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro, Tarikh-i-Masumi edited by Dr Umar bin Muhammad Daudpota and The Arghuns and Tarkhans in Sindh by Dr Mehmoodul Hassan Siddiqui — were formally launched by Pakistan’s first minister for culture and legal luminary Abdul Hafeez Pirzada at the Mohatta Palace Museum on Friday.

Recalling his tenure as a culture minister back in the 1970s and discussing at length the challenging circumstances at the time, he said: “When we took over in the 1970s this was the time when the first popular election was held followed by a deep crisis in which we were rendered into two countries. This was a period in which speaking of cultural heritage was a sin. If anyone wrote about cultural identity, they were dubbed traitors. This was because we had suffered a long period of dictatorship from 1958 to 1969.”

Speaking about the achievements of his ministry during the 1970s, he said: “It was important to us that we highlighted regional cultures as they were an integral part of national culture. We overcame many hurdles and encountered many obstacles. However, we were able to launch massive programmes on arts and heritage. Under the able guidance of Justice Feroze Ali Nana, we got recognition from Unesco for having Moenjodaro and thus we got global recognition for a 5,000-year-old civilisation that needed to be preserved.

“Lok Virsa under Uxi Mufti discovered and encouraged folk singers such as Mai Bhagi, Allan Faqir, Abida Parveen among many others. What about song and dance ensembles led by Zia Mohyeddin? Whether it was Pakistan National Council of Arts under the patronage of poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Academy of Letters under the patronage of Ahmed Faraz and the setting up of National Book Foundation: all these were part of cultural awakening at the time.”

Mr Pirzada briefly mentioned the writing of his memoirs, which initially he was unwilling to undertake, but upon the insistence of his friends and well-wishers he was thinking of going ahead with the project. “Sooner or later you realise that you owe a debt to society and your country. You need to come out with the truth. You need to analyse what is right or wrong.”

Discussing the probable title of his autobiography, Mr Pirzada said in a dejected voice: “I am thinking to give it the title ‘The burden of failure’. It will be about opportunities gained and lost. It is sad but it feels like one’s life has been like Milton’s Paradise Lost.”

The legal luminary made gracious remarks about the books. He commended anthropologist Zulfiqar Kalhoro on his book Art and Architecture of Sindh, saying it required tremendous courage and effort to document all historical tombs, darbars, temples, shrines of Sindh, some of which were no longer there.

Regarding Tarikh-i-Masumi, Mr Pirzada said once he started reading the book he couldn’t put it down. “It was written nearly 400 years ago by Mir Masum, a governor during the time of Mughals. To commemorate this great man, there is a minaret called Masum Shah Jo Minaro in my hometown Sukkur. He wrote an important account of the Arghuns and Tarkhans in Sindh.”

His final remarks were food for thought for the attendees at the book launch: “There is a cultural wealth that needs to be explored and when you do so you will not be ashamed. When you probe into your past, you will know who you are.”

The launch of the books was organised by the Endowment Fund Trust.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2014