Transitions: Poet, co-author of Balochi dictionary GR Mulla passes away

Was revered by the people of the Baloch mainland, Gulf countries and Iranian Balochistan

QUETTA:

One of the most prominent Balochi poets, Ghulam Rasool Mulla, or known simply as G R Mulla, passed away on Tuesday.

A renowned nationalist leader and revolutionary poet, Mulla commanded deep respect from the people of the Baloch mainland, Gulf countries and major parts of Iranian Balochistan.

After spending his early years in the Gulf countries, he returned to Balochistan in the 1960s and joined nationalist politics.

A resident of Jiwani, Mulla earned his livelihood in a fisheries business and also owned a transport company in Karachi for a brief period of time.

Mulla authored many books, including Bramsh, Gal Gal, Sanj and Chehal which remain popular among people in all parts of Balochistan, and also co-authored the Balochi dictionary.

He was the moving personality in establishing the Syed Zahoor Shah Hashmi Academy in Karachi first and its branches in other parts of Balochistan, including the Kech Valley, coastal region and in Iranian Balochistan. Further, the poet devoted most of his time to promoting Balochi language and concentrated on his poetry and literature.

Mulla was a close aide of the late Mir Ghous Bakhsh Bizenjo —  a founding member of the National Awami Party, National Democratic Party, Pakistan National Party and also associated with the Balochistan National Party of Sardar Akhtar Mengal.

His poetry was popular among the broad masses and he used to recite his verses at public meetings. The death of Mulla is a loss to Balochi language and literature.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 28^th, 2014.