Lal will be missed for the services he rendered for Sindhi literature during his entire life
By Mahwash Aijaz
Lal Muhammad Lal, an eminent Sindhi poet, intellectual, publisher, and magazine editor was born a century ago on January 21, 1923, in Shikarpur town of Sindh province in (then) British India and now Pakistan.
After completing his primary education locally and passing his matriculation from Shikarpur High School, he passed his intermediate from C&S College Shikarpur. After this, he came to Karachi, where he started working in the Irrigation Department of the Sindh Government.
Lal Muhammad Lal’s involvement with literature started in his student life. At that time, he started writing and his poems were published in the noted monthly magazines of his time, including “Sindhu” and others. In these early days of his association with literature, he used the name ‘Ahmar’ (the Red) as his poetic title, but later he used the first part of his name ‘Lal’ as his pen name.
Due to personal reasons, he immediately left his government job and joined Sindh Madrasat-ul-Islam, Karachi as a Teacher. Afterwards, he also edited and published ‘Sindh Madrasah Chronicle’, the school’s annual magazine, on the advice of head of the institute. During his academic responsibilities, he also continued to study and passed his B.A. and L.L.B. Examinations from S.M. Law College, Karachi. He also started his law practice in Karachi and was associated with the noted law firms of the town. During his stay in Karachi, he published and edited a monthly literary magazine, titled “Aftab”. He also actively participated in literary gatherings and Mushairas being held in the town, from time to time.
In the late 1960s, he discontinued serving at Sindh Madrasah and came back to Shikarpur, where he started practicing law, and continued doing the same business till his demise. He also served as the founder Principal of H.M. (Haji Maula Bux Soomro) Law College in Shikarpur. He did not cease his literary taste and passion for poetry till his last breath, but after being shifted to Shikarpur from Karachi, he did not get most of his creations published, because his hectic schedule as a busy Lawyer had a massive impact on his daily routine, which did not allow him to do so.
He also served as the president of the Shikarpur District Historical Society, a famous literary, research, and publication organization of Shikarpur. Being in this position he wrote some significant articles on the history of Shikarpur in English.
Lal Muhammad Lal is one of the few notable rhymesters from the traditional era of Sindhi poetry, who owns a unique demeanor and a well-honored, endearing poetic accent. Additionally, the message of his poetry is profound and timeless. He used to write poetry effortlessly.
Lal not only possesses his seniority and vital position among the local poets of Shikarpur but also among the senior Sindhi versifiers of his epoch. The poetry of Lal Muhammad ‘Lal’ has a unique stature among Sindhi lyricists due to the confluence of art and thought. Despite traditional values commonly found in his poetry, there are also some modern tenets in his thought as well as presentation. As a skilled poet, he experimented a lot in composing poetry in the newest ways.
Lal Muhammad Lal used to write ghazals in the style of classical Urdu poets, and the old classical poets of Urdu, ‘Naasaikh’, ‘Momin’, ‘Iqbal’ (though from the modern era) etc. were his favorite poets. Therefore a hardcore impact of Persian and classical Urdu poetry can be felt while reading his poetry. Some of his poems sound the translation of the verses of Allama Iqbal, which shows his abysmal inclination towards his poetry and presentation.
Lal Muhammad’s first and only poetry collection was published in January 1993, by his own publishing house ‘Aijaz Publication’ under the title of ‘Goonj’ (the Echo).
Lal Muhammad ‘Lal’ left this world on May 5, 1997. As a writer and poet, he will be missed for the services he rendered for Sindhi literature during his entire life. His name literally means ‘the Gem’. So this pearl among the Sindhi literati will not easily be forgotten.
May his soul rest in peace.
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The author is an emerging writer, literature-lover and an amateur audio performer. She belongs to a literary family of Shikarpur and is the granddaughter of Lal Muhammad Lal.
