A Sindhi heroine

Shah Latif's “Sur Marui” is the inspiration for, and forms the basis of ‘new politics’.

In the struggle for justice, Shah Latif's “Sur Marui” played a lead role. It is the inspiration for, and forms the basis of, the ‘new politics’ which we are trying to perpetrate in the current rotting system.

The struggle of Marui against Soomra Umer's injustices is the ultimate guidance for those who wish to serve their people. It is a guideline which puts at a pedestal the love for people, as opposed to love for material wealth. It is a struggle which makes a clear distinction between the ease of accepting worldly favours and the difficult decision of rejecting them for the love of an impoverished populace.

In 1972, my father, after consultations with Sindh's contemporary poet Sheikh Ayaz, named me Marui. This put on my shoulders a great responsibility: to live up to the name. With time, and a greater understanding of the sufferings of my 'maroora' (people), I have been able to appreciate the wisdom of Shah Sain's verses. What follows is a selection of my absolute favourites, which have guided me since my rejection of old politics.

“O Soomra! So long I am alive I shall not wear silken garments. Why should I remove my ancestral blanket merely for the sake of two days of my short sojourn in this world.” For me, rejection of the VIP culture, with all its privileges and luxuries, is a necessary cleansing process for improving the lives of an impoverished populace. Had we been leaders of a rich nation we could have lived in luxury. But in our current financial state, it is not becoming. The simplification of life and the focus on struggle, as opposed to material diversions, is the core.

The strength of Marui’s character in not being bribed into forsaking her people is the essence of Shah Sain's story. “She is not used to the costly dainty cup. She knows the rustic earthenware bowl only. It is unthinkable that she would exchange her native cottage with your mansion.” The rejection of all elements of corruption is, thus, a part of the new politics. Her commitment to her people is clear from the following lines: “My heart is engrossed completely in my kinsmen. I am extremely attached to the desert region and its inhabitants.” “My heart is in the desert. My clay mould and flesh alone are here in Umerkot.”

The rejection of material wealth, or old politics, for the sake of deliverance of the people is a theme that resonates with me. “You will have to learn from the oysters the art of yearning. They discard the earthly resources and look upwards to Allah alone for water.”

An important contrast is drawn between the forces of good and evil, the rulers and the ruled: “If the guardians, the mainstay of public, themselves become plunderers, how long can the people of the desert remain there.” This is so apt for the prevalent old politics which I reject due to corruption.

In essence, the struggle of material versus spiritual, of lies versus truth, of ease versus a difficult struggle, is what “Sur Marui” is all about. This is exactly what new politics is about as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2010.