Literati and performers increased their voices about feeling neglected at the 198th urs great Sufi saint Sachal Sarmast. The just ended occasions of the 198th urs great Sufi saint Sachal Sarmast at Daraza Sharif hit a controversy when several literati and singers alleged foul play on the section of the auqaf division and Sachal Yadgar Committee ( SYC ) with regard to among the main features — mushaira.
Writers and poets, as well as singers of mystic verses of Sachal Sarmast, increased the problem from the platform of the Sindhi Adabi Sangat ( SAS).
They mentioned with concern that no mushaira was included by the organizers in the urs events in deviation of the tradition. Speaking to nearby reporters, SAS leaders along with the disappointing literati declared they were eager to take part in a mushaira while singers declared they had come to Daraza Sharif to perform by reciting mystic verses of Sachal Sarmast but unsuccessful to get an opportunity.
The SAS, however, had to hold a mushaira on its own, at a place away from Daraza Sharif, and paid poetic homage to the great Sufi saint, they added. They apprehended that some sort of split in the SYC was felt because of the unexpected skipping of mushaira from the urs special event. Singers of Sachal’s verses asserted their part in disseminating the saint’s message before thousands of people attending the urs. They declared they used to execute at many other programmes held frequently at several areas in the province and, as such, significantly contributing to the spread of mysticism and Sufi saints.
“We felt neglected and discriminated against,” the singers declared, claiming that hefty prices of money were paid to the artists invited to perform at the urs programmes while singers of mystic poetry were mostly disregarded. “A few of us indeed given an opportunity to perform but a negligible quantity was paid against their performance,” they declared. The literati and singers kept each the auqaf department and SYC responsible for the disappointment and frustration caused to them due to the discriminatory attitude adopted by the organisers of the urs occasions this season.
They also expressed their concern and dismay over neglect of ailing literati and singers of mystic poetry, saying that no attention was being paid to their medical treatment. They required fixing of a reasonable stipend or all such people who were significantly contributing to performing art, literature, and mysticism.
