'Sindh Culture Day' was also celebrated across the province, including in Karachi, with much fanfare and gusto on Sunday as people donning white shalwar-kameez, Sindh topis and ajraks rallied and danced to popular folk music on major roads of the metropolitan city.
A rapturous crowd that gathered outside Karachi Press Club included people of all age groups, including children, elderly and women. The crowd was steeped in the colours of Sindh's culture, manifested through the traditional attires, embellishment, and folk music.
"For me, this is just like any other festival when the whole family dress up in new dresses and greet each other," said Abdullah Shah, a resident of Mauripur. Several families from his area have celebrated the day each year which falls on the first Sunday of December. "This is a message to everyone that we love our centuries-old culture and traditions," he explained.
Shahnaz Ali, a resident of Clifton, said that her friends arrange a rally every year that merges with the main gathering outside the KPC. "Not only in Karachi or other parts of Sindh or Pakistan, Sindh Culture Day is celebrated by Sindhis with the same fervour across the world," she said.
A charged crowd at Deen Mohammad Wafai Road danced and cheered the performances of folk singers. Political workers from different parts of the city also attended the celebrations.
"We congratulate all the people of Pakistan on this Cultural Day," said Qaumi Awami Tehreek President Ayaz Latif Palijo. "Sindh is the mother of different civilizations and the world is proud of the Indus Valley Civilization," he added.
"We have as much respect and love for Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi, Hindko and Siraiki as we have for Sindhi," Palijo said as he urged the youth of Sindh to focus on education which, he added, was the way to progress.
Rallies were also staged on different routes while people clad in white shalwar-qameez, Sindh topis and ajraks were also seen dancing to Sindhi folk songs at various picnic points of the city.
Apart from main gathering at the KPC, small gatherings were arranged in different areas of the city where participants exchanged gifts of Sindhi cultural items. "This is our day that reminds us of our rich culture and traditions," said Usman Parhyar, from Baldia. Each year, he arranges a special gathering at his home where locals are invited and a dinner is arranged for them. "This is like an Eid day," he smiled.
Messages
Political leadership through their official statements also congratulated people of Sindh on the Culture Day. The activists, influencers and netizens in general also posted messages on social media platforms along with their photos wearing traditional dresses.
In her message, US Consul General in Karachi Nicole Theriot said that Sindh is a land of rich culture and history.
Theriot, with Sindhi ajrak on her shoulders, also appeared in a video in which she said: "I thank the people of Sindh for your warmth and hospitality as I continue to learn more about Sindhi history, poetry, and culture.
"On behalf of everyone at the US Consulate in Karachi, I wish you a happy Sindh Cultural Day, and remind you that the people and government of the United States stand with the flood-affected people of Sindh and Balochistan in these difficult times."
Germany's Consul General in Karachi Dr. Rüdiger Lotz gave a message of marking the Sindhi Culture Day and Pak-German friendship. He said that Sindh is the land of Sufis who played an important role in restoring peace in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2022.
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