Renowned Sindhi poet, writer and educationist Apa Mariyam Majeedi passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Monday morning after a brief illness. She was 80.
The daughter of noted Sindhi poet Muhammad Khan Majeedi, was widely regarded as an important literary voice in Sindh and a custodian of her father’s poetic legacy. Her work spanned poetry, essays, columns and literary criticism, while her teaching career helped educate thousands of students, particularly girls, across the province.
Born on June 15, 1946, in Qaisar Khan Jatoi village of Mirpur Bathoro taluka in Sujawal district, Majeedi received her early education in Darro and Sujawal before moving to Hyderabad. She later completed her graduation in education and a master’s degree in Sindhi literature from the old campus of the University of Sindh.
Career in education and literature
Majeedi joined the teaching profession in 1964 and served as a teacher and head teacher at several schools in Sindh. Her education career lasted more than four decades.
She began writing for the Sindhi daily Barsat in 1975, the same year her first poem was published. Her first poetry collection, Sarom Dukham Dukham, was published in 1986 and received recognition from literary circles.
Her second poetry collection, Nerana Ee Nein, was published in 2012 and was also praised by critics. She also wrote essays and columns for Sindhi newspapers, including Daily Kawish, Sindh Express and Awami Awaz.
Majeedi’s book of articles, Man Barchi Man Ghao, added to her literary contributions beyond poetry.
Literary themes and recognition
Majeedi wrote in several poetic forms, including nazm, wai, ghazal, triolet, terza rima, quartet, pentastich and bait. Her poetry often reflected social issues, traditional concerns, the struggles of Sindh and themes of romance.
Like her father, Muhammad Khan Majeedi, she also wrote about Sindh’s rights and social challenges.
Over her career, she received several honours, including the Sindhi Adabi Sangat Lifetime Achievement Award, Mirza Qaleech Baig Award, Shah Latif Shield, Noori Jam Tamachi Award and Sarvech Sujawali Award.
Tributes pour in
Several writers, poets and public figures expressed grief over her death. Literary figures including Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi, Ayaz Ammar Sheikh, Zubair Aziz Jaffrani, Ahmed Baran and Sajan Surahi paid tribute to her services to Sindhi literature.
PPP Senator Sassui Palijo, MPA Rehana Laghari, Heer Suho and others also sent condolence messages to the bereaved family.
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