By: Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti
HYDERABAD : Caretaker Sindh Minister for Information and Minorities Affairs, Syed Ahmed Shah, and Caretaker Culture Minister Junaid Shah, jointly inaugurated the two-day Shah Latif Children Festival at the Sindh Museum on Saturday. The festival aimed to engage children in various cultural and educational activities while highlighting the rich heritage of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
The inauguration ceremony commenced with the soulful recitation of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s “vaai,” presented by students from Gul Ursani School. Secretary Sindhi Language Authority, Dr. Ahsan Danish, in his welcome address, emphasized Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s significance as a great thinker and poet whose influence transcends all segments of society.
Famous writer Dr. Manoj Kumar articulated the festival’s purpose, stating that it aimed to showcase tableaus, paintings, and facilitate speech competitions, providing an opportunity to introduce Shah Abdul Latif and his profound poetry and message to children.
In addition to these activities, the festival also featured a singing and drawing contest, attracting enthusiastic participation from children across the province. The singing contest showcased the vocal talents of young participants, while the drawing contest allowed them to express their creativity on canvas.
Provincial Minister Ahmed Shah, addressing the gathering, underscored the importance of 17th-century poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Hussain, Bhule Shah, and Khushal Khan Khatak, highlighting their role as poets for the people rather than representatives of the elite class. Shah praised Bhittai’s portrayal of women as “Soormis” in his poetry, citing examples like Marvi, Noori, and Sasui. He emphasized the need for thinkers like Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai in the present critical times.
Furthermore, Minister Ahmed Shah stressed the necessity of preserving the rich cultural heritage represented by poets such as Bhittai. He encouraged the promotion of this heritage among children, ensuring its continuation for future generations.
Provincial Culture Minister Syed Junaid Shah commended the efforts of the Sindhi Language Authority in organizing the vibrant and unique children’s festival. He emphasized the importance of not only focusing on the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai but also introducing heritage sites to children, fostering a deep connection with their cultural roots.
The Shah Latif Children Festival promises to be a celebration of culture, education, and creativity, providing a platform for children to engage with the rich legacy of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and the broader cultural heritage of Sindh, including their active participation in singing and drawing contests.