INFULUANCE OF SHAH LATIF’S DICTION ON SHAKH AYAZ

Abstract

This research paper demonstrates that poets and creative artists often draw inspiration from and influence one another through their use of language, diction, and ideas. Shaikh Ayaz is widely recognized and celebrated for the diversity found in his poetry. In this context, he regarded Shah Latif Bhittai as his guide and mentor, who had a significant impact on him in terms of content and language. When Shaikh Ayaz translated “Shah Jo Risalo” into Urdu, he was deeply influenced by Shah Latif’s choice of subjects, including Love, Beauty, Nationalism, Sufism, and folklore. While emulating Shah Latif Bhittai, Ayaz also adopted Bhittai's rhetorical devices, which ultimately enriched his own poetry. This blend of influences contributed to the revitalization of the Sindhi language by reviving hundreds of words from Shah Latif that might otherwise have been forgotten. This achievement marks a significant contribution by Ayaz to the preservation and promotion of the Sindhi language, as he reshaped words derived from Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. In this regard, it can be stated that Shaikh Ayaz's adoption and emulation of influences have facilitated the transfer of the Sindhi language and its heritage. This research paper views that Shaikh Ayaz's poetry has not only continued but also renewed the Sindhi language of Shah Latif, symbolizing a literary revival and continuity brought forth by Ayaz.