25 February: In Loving Memory of Nazar Lakhai, a poet and friend
By: Ramesh Raja
Some people leave this world, yet they never truly depart. They remain in the wind of their town, in the silence of gatherings, and in the memories of friends. Nazar Lakhai is one of those rare souls.
Born on 16 August 1956 to Ghulam Shabbir Gulal, Nazar inherited dignity, simplicity and depth from his family background. He passed away on 25 February 2007 but even today his presence can be felt in Gambat’s streets and in the circles of literature.
Nazar was simply educated; he earned an M.A. in Sindhi and a Master’s in Education. Knowledge was not only his qualification; it was his mission. He worked at Sindh Agriculture University, Tando Jam, as Assistant Admin in the government sector, and later served as Managing Director of Dewan Sugar Mills, Thatta, in the private sector. Yet positions never defined him; character did.
He was a not so devoted family man but just a friendly, leaving behind one son and four daughters. But beyond his home, he also fathered ideas, institutions and a literary culture that continues to breathe.
I had the honor of being his close friend. We wandered together for years through the streets of Gambat, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes laughing freely. Those were days when literature was not just discussion; it was life. We were a group of passionate literature lovers: Saah Shaikh, Manzoor Ujjan, Ghohar Shaikh, Nazir Sarohi, Naimat Memon, Waqif Sarohi, Raz Ali Gul Bhutto, Zaroor Siyal, Hamad Narejo, Inam Belarivi, Adeel Mahar. Together, we created a vibrant literary environment in Gambat and its surroundings. Those evenings of poetry, debate and dreams shaped a generation.
Nazar was a sensitive and simple man. He would feel hurt easily but forgive even more easily. He kept a few close friends, yet treated everyone with grace. In gatherings, he carried the elegance of old manners; respectful, composed, and gentle. Humor sparkled in his conversations, and wisdom rested in his silence.
He called himself a Sufi, and truly he was; not by dress or display, but by heart. He preferred sitting with the poor, the humble, the neglected. He had little interest in elite circles. His soul leaned toward the oppressed.
As a poet, he stood firm. His pen never bowed before power. He criticized injustice, inequality, and exploitation without fear. His heart, as he wrote, was like the Indus River; how could he tolerate a dam upon it? For the sake of a chair, he would never bow his head.
He was deeply involved in literary and social movements. He actively worked with Sindhi Adabi Sangat, SAGA, Youth Academic & Literary Front, Bazm-e-Ustad Bukhari, Sindh National Front, and many other organizations. Wherever there was literature, awareness, or struggle for justice, Nazar was present.
He was not only a writer but also an educationist. He founded Evershine English Elementary School, Gambat, and Sadiq Public School, Gambat, believing that education was the strongest tool for social change. For him, lighting a lamp of knowledge was equal to writing a revolutionary poem.
His contemporaries included respected poets such as Faqir Abdul Rahim “Abd,” Inam Shah Belharvi, Ayaz Gul, Adal Soomro, Sarkash Sindhi, Asif Mithyani, Asim Nathan Shahi, Rashid Morai, Tajal Biyos, Mir Abdul Rasool Mir, Nazeer Sarohee, Kausar Buriro, and many others. He stood among them not only as a poet but as a distinct voice.
His poetry reached wider audiences through the voices of renowned singers including Abida Parveen, Sajjan Sindhi, Barkat Bhatt, Ustad Hameed Ali Khan Sehwanvi, Ayaz Mallah, Liaquat Bhatti, Bhoral Bhatti, Ashiq Nizamani, Ashiq Jogi, Fayyaz Joyo, Sachal Mangi, Niaz Patafi, Niaz Faqir Mangnejo, Sharif Abbasi, Waryal Sehto, and others. When such voices carried his words, his message traveled beyond pages into hearts.
His published books include Scattered Existence (Wikhriyal Wujood) and Love Is Not Torment (Ishq Nahi Azaab). In these works, he transformed personal pain into collective consciousness. His poetry speaks of love, humanity, resistance, and dignity. It is not mere verse; it is a moral stand.
Beyond all titles and achievements, Nazar was a clean-hearted human being. He was generous with both heart and pocket. He united friends, forgave easily, avoided bitterness, and disliked hypocrisy. He loved literature so deeply that he believed money spent on books was sacred spending.
On this 25th of February, remembering him is not just recalling a poet; it is recalling a companion of long walks, shared dreams, heated debates, and warm laughter. It is remembering a man who carried light within him and quietly distributed it among others.
Some people write poems and some people live poems.Nazar Lakhai lived like one.
On his death anniversary, we wish that may the literary spirit we built together in Gambat continue to flourish as his living legacy.
Read: Sindh: Maritime Heritage and Economic Potential
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The author of this article, Engr. Ramesh Raja, is a Civil Engineer, visionary planner, PMP certified and literary enthusiast with a passion for art and recreation. He can be reached at engineer.raja@gmail.com
نظر لاکاءي بھترين شاعر ء سماجي ڪارڪن ھيو، اھڙا مخلص ماڻهو ءي سنڌ جو بھترين تعارف آهن.