Critical Review of Printed History Book of Sindhi Literature

Abstract

The paper is an attempt to discuss and analyze the historiography of Sindhi folk literature. It has been observed that most historians haven't given proper attention to Sindhi folk literature. Only a few historians have written formally about folk literature. Some historians have only collected the material; some have elaborated Sindhi folk literature material; while some have solely explained concerning genres of the folk literature. The paper endeavors to review, in a critical method, the published history of Sindhi folk literature is in the light of the folk literature historiography.

The article aims to probe the histories of Sindhi folk literature analytically, that haven't examined the literary factors of the legends, fables, and folklore concerning the styles, plots, techniques, elements, themes, conflicts, and actual backgrounds. Similarly, the styles of genres of folk poetry have also not been adequately discussed in the said history. An attempt has been made to clarify that love legends like Sassi Punhoon and others are not semi-historical. These are pure traditional legends that are most probably rooted in the matriarchal society.

Meanwhile, the paper also focuses on the social backgrounds and central ideas of some folk poems, especially "Jamalo" which are misinterpreted by historians. On the other hand, it has been tried to examine the new aspects of folk literature ignored by historians & researchers.