Classical Sindhi Poets in the History of Sindhi Literature

Abstract

This research paper aims to examine the discussion of classical Sindhi poets in the context of the development of Sindhi literary history. It is worth noting that Khan Bahadur Muhammad Siddique Memon is credited as the pioneer in writing the history of Sindhi Literature. The initial part of his work is dedicated to poetry, while the subsequent part encompasses essays, both poetic and prose. After 35 years, in 1962, Dr. Nabi Bux Baloch published his meticulously researched book titled ‘Sindhi Boli Aen Adab ji Tarikh’ (A history of Sindhi language and literature), which extensively covers the origins, evolution, and structure of Sindhi language, alongside its linguistic composition, scope, and literary traditions. Moreover, it describes the Samma period as the flourishing era of high Sindhi poetry and discusses the rise of Sindhi literature and its fluctuations. In 2004, the Sindhi Language Authority released a three-volume book titled ‘Sindhi Adab ji Tarikh’ (History of Sindhi Literature) by Dr. Abdul Jabbar Junejo, with two volumes dedicated to poetry and the third shedding light on prose. Additionally, Akbar Laghari’s ‘Sindhi Adab jo Mukhtasir Jaizo’ (Brief Overview of Sindhi Literature) explores 192 poetic styles within a single volume. This research paper critically compares and analyzes the poetic aspects discussed in these histories of Sindhi Literature, examining the development of poetry, its stylistic categorization, commentaries, criticism, and innovation.