I was working in the US Consulate in Karachi, and suggested to my office that the US Consulate should host an event to observe Sindh culture. Sindhi language media channels started celebrating Sindhi Topi and Ajrak Unity Day. One Pakistani television anchor made demeaning remarks, and these invited an ocean of reaction.

It so happened that, on an official visit to Afghanistan, President Asif Zardari wore a Sindhi Topi, which made him stand out from others who were dressed in Western style. She pined to return and would only be happy when she did, even if it was only her dead body that went back to Malir. Marvi came from a modest home and, while imprisoned inside the palace of Umar, she missed her people and her village, and this love and longing for her people and land is what Shah Latif expressed. She was abducted by a Sindhi ruler who wanted to marry her. Marvi is one of the strong, immortal heroines of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai’s poetry. The first Sindhi-speaking President of Pakistan was Asif Ali Zardari, husband of Pakistan’s slain prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and it was something he did that sparked off our Sindhi cultural revolution.We loved Benazir, and she was affectionately named ‘Marvi Malir ji’. Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (image courtesy Michel Boivin)Īnd here is something written by Mushtaq Rajpar, excerpted from Sindhi Tapestry: Reviving Sindhi culture in Sindh and beyond His work lives on in the hearts and minds of Sindhis, and its impact is present in every Sindhi person, family and community in every corner of the world. Here is an image of Shah Abdul Latif, the poet-philosopher of Sindh, the most prominent icon of Sindhi culture. A lot of people in India would snigger, “Really? A day for papads, playing cards and diamonds?” Keep reading!

The first Sunday of December is celebrated as Sindhi Culture Day.

Sindhi poetry on sindh