Sobho Gianchandani passes away in Larkana

Comrade Gianchandani was the first non-Muslim and non-Urdu recipient of the Kamal-e-Fund Award

LARKANA: Renowned Sindhi writer and leftist Comrade Sobho Gianchandani passed away at the age of 95 in Larkana Monday morning at Chandka Medical Hospital.

Comrade Gianchandani was the first non-Muslim and non-Urdu recipient of the Kamal-e-Fun Award - a top literary award given to writers in the field of literature.

During his study in Shantiniketan College in West Bengal, India, Rabindranath Tagore used to call him “A man from Moen Jo Daro” because of his village, located near this historical site, which is widely recognised as ancient Indus Valley Civilisation metropolis.

After news of Gianchandani's death was made public, a large number of people belonging to various parts of Sindh traveled to Larkana where his final ritual will take place.

Prominent personalities of Sindh and politicians including Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former president Asif Ali Zardari, writers, intellectuals and poets of Sindh condoled his death and paid tribute to him.

Born on May 3, 1920 in Bindi village near Moen Jo Daro, Gianchandani got his primary and secondary education from Kamber High School and Pilot School in Larkana before he went to India for higher education.

He was one of the pioneers of the Marxist movement in Sindh and went to jail many times. Till his death, he did not give up his Marxist beliefs.

Apart from his political affiliation, Gianchandani was a poet, writer and journalist and worked with many prominent personalities including, Tagore Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Mahatma Gadhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Goband Malhi and Hyder Bux Jatoi. He was famous because of his struggle for the peasant and labour class.