indh has suffered an irreparable loss with the tragic demise of Dr Akash Ansari, a poet par excellence and an astute observer of society. As tributes pour in from authors, admirers and poetry enthusiasts, it is clear that Dr Ansari’s legacy as an iconic Sindhi poet of romance and revolution will endure.

Renowned for his mastery of romantic and revolutionary poetry, Dr Ansari often spoke about the symbiotic relationship between romance and revolution. In various interviews, he maintained that his romantic nature was a catalyst for his poetry, and that a person lacking romantic passion for their homeland could not be a true revolutionary.

Dr Ansari’s love for Sindhi culture and poetry was rooted in his family and upbringing. His grandfather, mother and father had inspired him to pursue poetry. The social and political climate during his childhood and youth led him to nationalism and politics.

The poetic style of Dr Ansari was shaped by illustrious poets such as Haji Ahmed Malah, Sarvech Sujawali, Ibrahim Munchi and Khalifo Nabi Bux. Their works motivated him to focus on romance and revolution. His ability to project the beauty of love and agony of separation captivated people.

His writing career spanned over four decades. His two books comprising romantic and revolutionary poetry took him to heights of popularity across the country. These books also proved to be trend-setters in of Sindhi literature.

His book Adhura Adhura (Incomplete) is of utmost importance in the Sindhi poetic tradition.

In this book, he has portrayed the feelings of a man who falls in love and is then devastated by betrayal. The poetry gives his readers hope. The first edition of this book was published during the middle 1980s. The poem, Aseen Rahyaseen Adhuran Adhuran, sung by Ustad Sadiq Faqeer, became exceptionally popular across the province.

It inspired the Sindhi youth and made people fall in love with both Akash Ansari and Sadiq Faqeer. The song has been described as an anthem of broken hearts.

Sharing his views about the literary contribution of Dr Akash Ansari, his colleague at Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro, Dr Asif Memon, said that Dr Ansari’s poetry was as soft as his person.

His poetic vocabulary and his insights on human behaviours made him an inimitable poet of modern times. He recalled a verse: Ketro par khe lotayo ah shairi tokhe parchayo ahe (I’ve devastated myself, to convince my poetry.)

Adhura Adhura contains 88 poems on love, romance, pain of separation, life’s troubles, human behaviour and depressive phases in life.

Sharing an interesting instance of Ansari’s tremendous poetic sense, Ayaz Ammar Sheikh, a poet from Sujawal, said that Dr Akash Ansari once had a cook belonging to Chachro area of Tharparkar who had not met his wife for a long time.

One day, he heard the discussion between his cook and the wife and later turned it into a lyric sung by Master Wali and Rajab Faqeer. Ayaz Ammar also shared a few verses:

Ansari’s words and verses became a balm to those affected by love, loss and betrayal. 

“Kajaliya cho bhala chachro waen chade

Doliya cho bhala chachro wahe chade

Hiya karachi mui mukhan thi wae mithi

Ya nae ka nibagi to ahe dithi”

(Oh beloved, why did you leave Chachro (your hometown)?

Oh loved one, why did you leave Chachro?

Now the city of Karachi is more near and dear to you than me.

Or have you found someone else there to replace me?)

Dr Ansari lived in Karachi for a brief period during his ailment.

The popularity of Adhura Adhura can be gauged from the fact that it ran into several editions. Badal Rahi a singer from Badin sang over a dozen poems of Ansari described him as fountain of romantic poetry. He said his poetry carried a message of resistance against the disloyal and fickle. He shared some of his favourite verses from Akash’s poetry including some that he had sung around a decade ago for his album.

Waqt jee checch me

Zindagi jo chalo

Piyo thiye gargalo

Yar jaldi milo

Yar jaldi milo.

(In The Finger of Time

The Ring of Life is Rusting

O beloved Soon Return to Me

Oh Beloved Meet Me Soon.)

Ansari’s career as a medical practitioner lasted for eight years. However, his true calling lay in healing the hearts and souls of his people through the power of poetry. Ansari’s words and verses became a balm to those affected by love, loss and betrayal.

His friend and colleague Bakhshal Maheranvi says his book Kiyan Rahan Jala Watan (How to live in exile), was meant to create awareness against tyranny. He said that Akash’s poetry conveyed the message of persistent struggle. The following lines are from a poem Akash referred to as the hymn of hope.

Khawaban ta hath na kharjo

Ihe khowab hi ta ahin

Har dard me dilaso

Jeke jaden wirun tha

Pahenjo kharan tha paso

(Do not Stop Dreaming

These dreams serve as coaxing in every difficulty

These dreams back us in our struggles.)

As a poet, ideologue and columnist, Ansari has left an indelible mark on Sindhi literature. His poetry, a masterful blend of romance and revolution, continues to inspire people. His legacy will serve as a beacon, guiding those who seek to uplift and empower their communities through the transformative power of words.

Dr Akash Ansari’s literary legacy is a shining testament to his poetic brilliance, revolutionary spirit and unwavering commitment to Sindhi culture and literature. His poetry continues to inspire, educate and captivate audiences, ensuring that his memory will live on as a beacon of hope and creativity for generations to come.

The author is a practicing lawyer and freelance journalist. His areas of interest include cultural diversity and socio-politicis. He tweets as @ZainSha1 on X