A Great Sufi Poet of Balochi Language

Staff report - Daily Times - Lahore, Pakistan
Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Islamabad: The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on Tuesday named a literary award after sufi poet Mast Tawakali during a book launch ceremony.

Mast Tawakali Award has been set aside for the best book of the year in Balochi.

Mast Tawakali was a great sufi poet of Balochi language and his poetry was about the sufferings of the common man.

Addressing the ceremony, PAL Chairman Iftikhar Arif briefed the audience on the latest book in the series of Pakistan Adab Ke Memar. The book, titled ‘Mast Tawakali: Life and Works’ was authored by critic and researcher Dr Shah Muhammad Marri.

Arif said Tawakali’s poetry was as vast as that of other mystics in the Subcontinent.

“Mast Tawakali is popular in Balochishtan. Today he is the harbinger of optimism and an inspiration for positive thinking,” he said.

He said Tawakali had voiced for remedy for the oppressed and helpless women. He said Marri had done a great service to Balochi language and Pakistani culture writing the book on Tawakali.

“This book will certainly be helpful in introducing, comprehending and explaining Tawakali’s personality and art,” he said.

Arif said Marri’s book would be recommended as reference document in academies and research institutions. He said Tawakali had delivered a message of humanity, peace and love for the mankind.

[Picture: The Pakistan Academy of Letter. Visit at http://www.academy.gov.pk/index.php].