A close-knit Sindhi community will meet virtually to celebrate Sindhi Cultural Day tomorrow. Members from Mumbai, Italy, and Sindh tell us what it takes to preserve cultural identity across borders
Rakshita Manglani (centre) and members at a previous session in Mira Road. Pics Courtesy/Rakshita Manglani
Has winter set in there yet?”
We ask possibly the most Indian question to Sindhi businessman Bhagwan Das Goklani in Karachi, Pakistan. “The mornings are getting chillier, but by noon, we’re down to our T-shirts,” he laughs over the phone. Clearly, there’s not much between us. Except for a border that separates Goklani from fellow Sindhi Vijay Jasuja in Bandra, who tells us that he longs for a sense of community far from his ancestral land. “When my forefathers migrated to India during the Partition, we lost track of my grandfather’s brother. We never found out what happened to him,” Jasuja rues.
Members dance to a traditional song at a community meeting; (right) a traditional Sindhi cap with Ajrakh work
On Sindhi Cultural Day tomorrow, Jasuja will find a community when he meets others like him who trace their roots to the Sindh region in Pakistan, through a virtual meeting. Organised by Ulhasnagar-based social activist and artiste Rakshita Manglani, the meetings, held online and offline, are her attempt to bind the scattered community together. Manglani traces her roots to Sindh’s Larkana district, which was once the heart of the Indus Valley Civilisation owing to its proximity to the Indus River.
“In the years following the Partition, cultural exchange happened majorly through India Post. A package posted in India would be received in Karachi the next day. I remember reading the Hindustan newspaper, Naeen Duniya magazine and collections of poetry,” says Reverend Iqbal Daniel, a retired parish priest in Karachi. The senior member borrows from Sindhi folk tales of Sasuee Punhoon, Umer Marwi, and the more popular Laila Majnoo, to keep the exchange alive at these annual celebrations.
Women from the Sindh region in Pakistan perform a group dance. Pic Courtesy/Wikimedia Commons
The stories might seem familiar to Chanderprakash Gurmukhani from Andora, Italy, who recalls hearing stories from Karachi, Sukkur, Khairpur, Quetta and Pirgoth from his father and uncles. “That stream of stories has now stopped flowing,” he informs us. For instance, the younger generation might never find out that one of the earliest Hindustani Sindhi films, Abana, was released in 1958. Or that one of the earliest agrarian revolt poems came from 17th century Sindhi poet Shah Inayat, who coined the popular Sufi saying, ‘Jo kherray, so khaey’ (He who reaps has the right to eat).
Manglani, who holds a diploma in Sindhi language, is concerned that these stories might soon fade from memory. “Sindhis from Generation Z and Alpha don’t want to speak Sindhi anymore. It’s supposedly not “cool” enough. As you move further away from Ulhasnagar to the Western suburbs, it becomes more obvious. One of our ground rules is that everyone who joins a meeting speaks in Sindhi, irrespective of their level of expertise. I’ve created a WhatsApp group where we share voice notes to help each other up,” she shares.
A young member’s painting of Jhulelal, a revered deity for Sindhi Hindus
After the celebrations tomorrow, the group will continue meeting every month with new ideas to help the cause. Sindhi open mics, singing competitions and poetry readings will keep young and old members engaged throughout the year.
“My grandfather would tell me stories from undivided India when I was six years old. I don’t remember much of it, but it taught me the importance of not leaving people behind. Indian Sindhis cannot afford to dissociate from those across the border citing they have nothing to do with us. We have everything to do with them, and they have everything to do with us,” Manglani signs off.
Reverend Iqbal Daniel and Vijay Jasuja
ON December 7; 9 pm to 10 pm
CALL 9765828057 (for queries)
Grab a bite
Head to these community-approved haunts in the city
. A1 Sweets
Ask for: Sev Mithai or Singhar Ji Mithai.
AT Shop 718-19, Shivaji Chowk, Ulhasnagar.
. Dholi Nasta
Ask for: Beeh ji Tikki (lotus stem tikkis), Dal Pakwaan
AT Santu Building, Laxmi Nagar, Ramayan Nagar, Ulhasnagar.
. Bhagat Tarachand
Ask for: Sindhi Curry Chawal with Alu Took
AT Multiple locations across Lower Parel, Ghatkopar, Andheri and Borivali
. Jhama Sweets
Ask for: Gulab Jamun
AT Dr Choitram Gidwani Road, Chembur.
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