RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD: Ali Baba was a trendsetting writer in Sindhi literature who did not choose cheap romantic themes and other such bizarre topics, but he highlighted intrinsic social issues of society, pecuniary problems and societal deprivations of the people in his stories and dramas which he wrote profusely.

This was the gist of opinions expressed by speakers comprising noted writers, academicians and close friends of prominent Sindhi story writer, novelist and TV playwright Ali Baba. They said that Ali was a multi-dimensional writer with innumerable abilities.

They expressed this at a seminar titled “Ali Baba: Personality, Art & Creative Role” held at Sindh University’s Institute of Sindhology here on the occasion of Ali’s 1st death anniversary on Tuesday night.

Presiding over the gathering, former Director of Sindhology and author of many books in Sindhi language Shaukat Hussain Shoro said Ali Baba was his friend, who achieved widespread popularity among his readers and viewers of his television plays due to his genuine thoughts and concerns for social problems of the common people in his literary creations.

He said Ali brought his own diction, new plots and touching thoughts for his writings adding that when nobody was ready to take the name of Sindh in the era of one unit, Ali started writing in those days in favor of downtrodden people of the province.

“Ali was not only a unique writer among others in Sindh but he also led a unique life”, said Shaukat Hussain Shoro.

Senior journalist and columnist Madad Ali Sindhi said Ali Baba was unconventional writer, who carved his own elevated place in Sindhi literature through his unique literary works. He said that Ali was a creator to the core, neither wrote on popular topics nor resorted to oft-repeated words or sentences of same meaning in his writings.

He said Ali was a straightforward and a loving fellow who succeeded to get name and fame due to his exceptional writings, novels and dramas.

“I never saw him bewildered, he carried a dream of prosperous Sindh in his eyes,” Madad Ali Sindhi said.

Dr. Rasool Memon, who is a close friend of the deceased dramatist and author, said he (Ali Baba), had contributed tremendously in enrichment of Sindhi literature.

He entered the realm of Sindhi literature as an author but emerged later as a very creative, progressive and powerful prose writer as well as TV playwright.

He wrote stories, novels, stage plays and television dramas which were widely liked by the people. His TV serials were master pieces in Sindhi literature. He said that the novel named “Moenjodaro” written by Ali Baba was more beautiful than that of original Moenjodaro. He taught how to dance to the dancing girl of Moenjodaro (made by bronze at Daro) by vitalizing it, he said.