The Institute of Sindhology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, organised a lecture programme titled “The World of Thought in Ustad Bukhari’s Poetry” to mark the death anniversary of renowned Sindhi people’s poet Ustad Bukhari. Prominent writer and intellectual Jami Chandio attended the programme as the chief guest and delivered a lecture on the topic.

Speaking at the event held at the institute’s Pir Hussamuddin Rashidi Auditorium, Jami Chandio discussed the personality and poetry of Ustad Bukhari. He said the 20th century was an era of movements whose influence extended to every sphere of life, including literature, poetry and politics. He added that new trends and progressive thought gained momentum in Sindhi literature during that century.

He said that while Shaikh Ayaz’s poetry, filled with renewed enthusiasm and passion, brought a fresh surge to national thought and earned him recognition as a leading poet of his era, Ustad Bukhari’s poetry, steeped in popular culture, also spread far and wide and gained immense popularity during the same century.

Jami Chandio said Ustad Bukhari was a close friend of his father and that both had served as teachers together in Dadu. He considered himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to remain close to Ustad Bukhari.

He said he was against comparing poets, explaining that Shaikh Ayaz had his own distinct poetic style, while Ustad Bukhari had a style of his own. Both poets had established their identities through their distinctive poetic expressions.

He further said that Ustad Bukhari was a romantic, revolutionary and rational poet. His association with music was reflected in the musical quality of his poetry.

Jami Chandio said Ustad Bukhari was naturally a simple and refined person. His poetry was deeply rooted in rural life and popular culture, which was why he was widely known as a people’s poet. His poetry was rich in ideals, while his verses contained a vast world of thought and reflection. The account of 20th-century Sindhi poetry would remain incomplete without mentioning Ustad Bukhari.

In his welcome address, Director of the Institute of Sindhology Dr Fayaz Latif thanked all the participants and highlighted the objectives of the lecture programme.

He said Ustad Bukhari was a poet of emotions and sentiments whose poetry required little deliberation. It was so clear and deeply rooted in popular culture that it went straight from the eyes to the heart and left a profound impact on the mind.

Dr Fayaz Latif said Ustad Bukhari’s poetry expressed the sentiments of the people and served as the voice of their hearts.

He added that the institute’s objective in remembering renowned personalities was not only to pay tribute to their contributions but also to familiarise the younger generation, particularly students, with their work and role so that they could draw inspiration and guidance from their lives and achievements.

During the programme, renowned singers Ustad Ameer Ali Khan, Mansoor Ali Abbasi and Altaf Raja performed the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Ustad Bukhari, earning warm appreciation from the audience.

The programme was conducted by Ghulam Rasool Chandio, Assistant Director of the Institute of Sindhology.

The event was attended by heads of various departments of the University of Sindh and prominent academic and literary figures, including Dr Noor Muhammad Shah, Dr Ishaq Samejo, Dr Nawab Kaka, Dr Rehana Mallah, Dr Bhai Khan Shar, Ali Dost Aajiz, Aziz Gopang, Liaquat Rizvi, Naz Sahito, Professor Anwar Mansoor Mangrio, Dr Rasheeda Bhatti, Noor Baladi, Muneer Chandio and others.