Juman Darbadar – The Wanderer

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Juman Darbadar

Juman Darbadar who spent his entire life traveling across towns and villages of Sindh singing revolutionary songs to awaken people

Ali Nawaz Rahimoo | Umerkot

The beautiful land of Sindh has given birth to many talented individuals and Juman Darbadar was one of them.

In a small village near the dunes of Rohal Vai, close to Amrano in Thar, a child was born on May 12, 1944 in Saand family, who was named as Muhammad Juman. He would later be known across Sindh and India as Juman Darbadar, The Wanderer, which truly reflects his real life. He was also lovingly called Mama Juman Darbadar.

Juman completed his primary education locally and then passed his matriculation from the high school in Mirpur Khas. When he traveled to Mirpur Khas for the first time for his matriculation exam, his elder brother gave him three rupees for expenses. With those three rupees, Juman had to manage his travel, accommodation, and food. He took a bus to Mirpur Khas, where his classmates rented rooms in a hotel, but Juman had to spend his nights hungry and sleeping in a park.

Juman DarbadarDespite these hardships, Juman passed his matriculation exam with distinction. He was offered a primary teaching job, but a feudal lord suggested to his father that Juman should work as a clerk in the local government office instead of becoming a teacher. Later, persuaded by the feudal lord, Juman’s father handed him over to the feudal lord, who assigned him work at his bungalow. During his time there, an elderly man advised him to escape, warning him that feudal lords were cruel and oppressive. This awakening turned Juman into a rebel, instilling a deep hatred for feudalism and capitalism.

He returned to his village and later moved to Mirpur Khas, where he worked at a hotel. He also drove a tanga (horse-drawn carriage) in Hyderabad for eight months. During this time, the anti-One Unit movement was gaining momentum in Sindh, and Hyderabad became the center of these movements. Juman joined the movement and heard a speech by his school friend Abdul Wahid Arisar at Annie Besant Hall in Hyderabad. After reconnecting with Arisar, Juman abandoned his tanga business and moved to Umerkot, where he became actively involved in the Communist Party’s study circles.

Juman eventually became a nationalist and joined revolutionary movements. Along the way, he completed a six-month agriculture course in Mirpur Khas and a diploma in agriculture from Sakrand. He also developed an unrequited love for a woman, which inspired poetry that was later lost during the 1971 war. He dedicated his life to Sindh’s liberation and joined the Jeay Sindh Mahaz (JSM), traveling across villages and singing revolutionary songs to awaken people. His voice became a source of inspiration and joy for the masses.

Juman’s life took a significant turn when he performed his iconic poem ‘Wathi Har Har Janam Warbo’ (We will reborn again and again…) at the birthday celebration of nationalist leader G.M. Syed at his native village Sann. Moved to tears, G.M. Syed embraced Juman and praised his work, saying that such poetry assured him that Sindh’s youth would bring about its freedom and prosperity. For Juman, this recognition was more valuable than any prize.

Juman continued his struggle, participating in national movements and performing revolutionary songs in villages and towns. Despite his widespread popularity, he lived a humble life, often traveling on foot. His dedication to Sindh and G.M. Syed’s vision was unwavering. Even after G.M. Syed’s passing, Juman remained committed to the cause, writing and performing poetry that reflected his grief and love for his mentor.

Juman’s contribution to the nationalist movement included his unwavering efforts to unite the various factions of the Jeay Sindh movement. He never sought personal gain or positions of power, choosing instead to remain a humble and devoted worker for Sindh’s cause.

Due to cardiac arrest, he died on 20 October 2022. He was laid to rest in Ruhal Vai village Umerkot.

Read: Ustad Bukhari’s poetry inspires to continue fight for the rights of Sindh

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The writer is based in Umerkot district of Sindh

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