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The demise of Dr Akash Ansari came as a devastating blow to Sindhi poetry and socio-political activism, leaving a vacuum that will take a long time to fill.

As Umer Qazi wrote in his homage note in the Sindh Express: “I cannot call him the moon of Sindhi literature, for his contributions were brighter than moonlight. He wasn’t the sun of Sindh’s poetic arena either, as the sun only shines in the daytime. Perhaps he was the sky of Sindhi poetry in modern times.”

These words do some justice to Ansari’s stature and the calibre he possessed as a poet, ideologist, and columnist.

The poet’s background

Ansari’s father, Allah Bachayo Badinvi, a lesser-known poet, likely never even dreamt that his son would be loved, venerated, and cherished like he was for his contributions to Sindhi poetry and literature. He became a source of encouragement and inspiration for generations to come.

Ansari was born in Abal Jee Wasi, a remote village in Badin, to Badinvi and Jannat Khatoon on December 25, 1956. His parents were associated with poetry and folk literature and were notable literary figures in the area. Jannat Khatoon was well-versed in Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s poetry and contemporary folk literature, while his father participated in local literary symposiums.

Ansari remained a medical practitioner for eight years, but his ability to heal restless souls and hearts with his words and poetic verses endured until his last breath.

In an interview with Sindh’s culture department in 2020, the late poet revealed many secrets of his life, familial background, and his journey to fame.

During the interview and in articles contributed to several Sindhi publications, Ansari spoke about his love and affinity for Sindhi culture and poetry. He credited his grandfather, mother, and father for collectively inspiring him to become a poet and said the state of affairs during his childhood and youth pushed him towards nationalism and politics.

Romance and revolution

In an interview with Sindh TV News the poet’s colleague and former federal minister Madad Ali Sindhi mentioned that the poetry of Haji Ahmed Mallah, Sarwech Sujawali, Ibrahim Munshi, and Khalifo Nabi Bukhsh motivated Ansari to focus on both romance and revolution as core subjects of his poetry.

Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi, a historian from Thatta, said that during Ansari’s days at Liaquat Medical College Jamshoro, his ambition to work for the subjugated class of Sindh increased after he interacted with seasoned leftist Rasool Bux Palijo. Palijo used his poetic abilities to rekindle a wave of revolution among Sindhi students and women, particularly during the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy and the Anti-Kalabagh movement.

Manjhi stated that Akash was among the few poets of Sindh whose poetry was a blend of romance and revolution.

In an interview with a Sindhi news channel, he said romance was a crucial element for a poet to create revolutionary poetry. Ansari would read verses of his poetry in the political movements launched during the regime of General Zia Ul Haq to persuade the masses. His political activism during the conflicting times ultimately landed him behind bars.

Sindh as Ansari’s first love

Dr Inam Sheikh, shedding light on his literary contributions, said Sindh was Ansari’s first love — he always kept Sindh and its poor masses a priority, therefore he always educated the people of Sindh through his poetry and remained on the frontlines whenever Sindh needed him.

“He was a precious asset of Sindh in the field of literature,” Sheikh said.

Compare and broadcaster Bakhshal Maherwani said Ansari emerged as one of Sindh’s leading lyrical poets during the 1970s and 1980s with a wide variety of singers performing his songs for radio, television and films.

From Runa Laila to Noor Jahan, from Abida Parveen to Sanam Marvi, all sang his romantic and revolutionary poetry. Other prominent singers who sang his poetry include Sadiq Fakir, Ustad Muhammad Yousuf, Allah Dino Khaskeli, AD Junejo, Rajab Faqeer, Waheed Ali, Sarmad Sindh, Ahmad Mughal, Nazakat Faqeer, Rafiq Faqeer, Manzoor Badal Rahi, Jiji Zarina Baloch and Humaira Channa.

Dr Aslam Azad, Ansari’s fellow political worker at LMC Jamshoro, disclosed that his lyrical poetry ‘Aseen Bas Rahyaseen Adura Adura’ (We Remained Incomplete) sung by Sadiq Fakir during the mid-1980s took propelled him to fame across Sindh. Within a short span of time, the song became the anthem of broken hearts.

He mentioned that his book Adhura Adhura, containing verses of romantic poetry, garnered unparalleled fame across the province. The book is still counted among the best books on Sindhi poetry in the recent past.

Hassan Dars, a seasoned poet who passed away in June 2011 in a road accident in Hyderabad, authored the preface of the book, and called him a frenzied paramour of Sindh and Sindhi people. Due to its tremendous popularity, eight editions of Adhura Adhura were published.

Political activism

Talking about political activism, Dars said Ansari served in key positions in Palijo’s Awami Tehreek party after it merged with the Awami National Party. He also contested the elections in 1988 on a National Assembly seat but lost to Bashir Halepoto of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

Despite not reaching parliament he continued to serve the people of his area through the Badin Rural Development Organisation.

Ansari’s poetry book, Kiyan Rahan Jala Watan (How Can I Live in Exile?) revolved around revolutionary and firebrand poetry and was published in four different editions. It further fostered the poet’s identity as a revolutionist.

Poetic brilliance

In an interview, Aijaz Khawaja, a diehard fan and colleague, spoke about Ansari’s soft nature, adding that amid the abysmal state of Sindh poetry in the current times, Ansari was among those who kept the charm of Sindhi poetry intact through his impeccable sense of innovation.

In 2022, Dr Sahar Gul translated selected verses of Ansari’s poetry into English and published An Elegy for Brave Hearts of Tomorrow, a book that is a testament to Ansari’s poetic brilliance.

Throughout his life, Ansari received numerous awards, including the Shah Latif Literary Excellence Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Badin Press Club and the Sindh government.

After Sheikh Ayaz and Dars, Ansari was the most venerated and recognised poet of romantic poetry. He leaves behind a blend of romantic and revolutionary poetry as his long-standing legacy.