In loving memory: Academics remember late Lachman Chellaram Bhatia Komal

He was an Indian poet, writer and journalist who died on December 23.

HYDERABAD: The Sindhi literati paid tribute to late Indian poet, fiction writer and journalist Lachman Chellaram Bhatia Komal at a condolence reference organised by the Sindhi Language Authority (SLA) on Friday.

“The services of Komal for Sindhi literature will always be written in golden words,” said SLA secretary Taj Joyo.

“He always wished to spend the last days of his life in Sindh,” said Karachi University’s Prof Saleem Memon. “He would often ask if there is a law [in Pakistan and India] which can help him return and start living again in his home in Kandiaro.” Memon added that Komal’s dying wish to submerge his ashes after cremation in the Indus River will soon be performed.

Naseer Mirza, the regional director of Radio Pakistan and an art connoisseur, called Komal a ‘prose magician’ and a ‘king of expressions’. He also counted him as one of the pioneers of progressive streak in modern Sindhi literature. The speakers also talked about his contributions in promoting the study of Sindhi language in India.

Over a dozen other speakers also spoke on the occasion. The Sindhi Adabi Sangat and nationalist parties have also expressed condolence over Komal’s death.

Komal, who was born in Naushero Feroz on March 26, 1936, authored several books and translation works in Sindhi, Hindi and English languages. He was also a journalist and remained associated with the Times of India for 35 years. He died in New Delhi on December 23 at the age of 78.

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