Prominent poet, playwright, columnist, and story writer Abdul Salam Thaheem passed away following protracted kindly and liver-related complications in SIUT Karachi on Friday evening. The 35 years old young literati were affiliated with the noble profession of teaching and rejigged an interest in literature among youth in a backward coastal town Jati of district Sujawal.
He was born and brought up in Jati where he received his early education and later received his post-graduation degree from the University of Sindh Jamshoro while spending a major part of his relatively brief life with the literati circle of Sindh in Hyderabad. Writing on social issues of Sindh and his native areas- Thatta and Sujawal for different Sindhi and Urdu dailies was a hallmark of his career. He wrote for famous Sindhi dailies including Kawish and Sindh Express.
Salam depicted the pain of his people through his stories and poetry as his literary work gained province-wide recognition and possessed all the qualities of a social reformer who could bring change through his work. When the trend of stage play dwindled in district Sujawal he took the initiative to revive this trend by writing the socio-political stage play Neth Ta Thindo Sojaro-The Sun would Rise one Day which gained unparalleled fame across the province. He played a vital role in compiling the literary work of his maternal uncle Noor-ul-Din Nafees and getting his anthropology published.
He also wrote poetry for children that were made part of the syllabus of different schools.
His famous books included Osyare Jee Ass, Gulan San Taziyat-Condolences with Flowers, and Meen Ayo Dori-The rain has lashed out. “Our remote area was known for people like Salam”, said renowned historian Haji Zahid Soomro with tears wailing up in his eyes. Senator Sassui Palijo, Dr. Muhammad Ali Manjhi, MPA Muhammad Ali Malkani, Iqbal Shaheen, and others expressed deep grief at the sudden demise of young literati.
