THATTA: Sindh Culture Department paid homage to seasoned historian, writer, poet and researcher by inviting him to ‘ ‘Cafe Saqafat ” on Thursday evening. Cafe Saqafat is an event aired live through a facebook page launched by the culture department in 2020.
During the program he was interviewed by host Dr Sher Umrani who highlighted contributions of Dr Manjhi in the field of literature, history and culture while, Dr Manjhi during the interview recalled his days of struggle and cherished golden memories of childhood.
Born in Thatta a historically rich district of Sindh Dr Manjhi held different positions in educational institutes of Sindh and unveiled chapters of Sindh,s history. He has served as head of Sindh language Authority, Director General Colleges Sindh, Director Dr NA Baloch Institute, Director General Culture Department and Director General Liaquat Library Karachi.
The seasoned historian initially hesitated to share his arduous journey but later on he disclosed that before becoming PhD scholar he resorted to different “small jobs” to do away with financial constraints prevailing in his life.
“I did a short medical course and got job of dispenser in a hospital of Hyderabad to meet the expenses of my education”; he said and added that he inherited love for Sindhi language and Shah Abdul Latif from his maternal grandfather who was well-versed in Shah Latis poetry and would sing verses of Latif after morning prayers.
Dr Muhammad Ali Manjhi completed his doctorate in the “Poetry of Sufi Shah Inayat and other poets belonging to his school of thought”.
Dr. Nawaz Ali Shaouk persuaded him to engrave hidden aspects, historical sites and stories related to the culture of Sindh. Manjhi being a distinguished historian wrote as many as 16 books and various research articles on Sindh,s history and archeological sites. Several students under his mentorship sought motivation for PhD studies and went abroad to achieve this feat. In the course of discussion with the host he shed light on historical aspects of Sindh.s and archeological sites.
Manjhi is credited for discovering the stone age cave and fort of Dulah Dariya Khan a warrior of Sindh,s history near Thatta. Towards the end Manjhi gave message of persistent struggle and being hopeful.
