The Father of Balochi Language || Sayad Zahoor Shah Hashmi

    There is no doubt that the strength and power of a nation or a country depend upon its people. And history proves that the Baloch leaders have sacrificed their lives in safeguarding and promoting Balochi, be it the Balochi language or the Baloch identity.

    One of these legendries, philanthropists, symbolists, immortal, and humanitarians is Sayad Zahoor Shah Hashmi who was and is unknown as the treasure of the Balochi language in which his contributions are everlasting and unforgettable. Before admiration, let me tell you something about his personal and professional life as well as I shall also add a little about his contributions and sacrifices which are more than vital in promoting the Balochi language.

    He, Sayad Zahoor Shah Hashmi, was born on 21st April 1926 in Gwadar, Balochistan. Hope, you, the reader, already know about his educational career but I would like to add that he received his primary education from his Father and a School in the name of " Saeedia" which was placed in Balochistan too.

    However, he was curious about literature at an early age but on time as he felt that the Baloch language, which was only spoken by locals and traditional Baloch people and one can say that at that time language had no future, needed him and his contributions, he, then, devoted himself in promoting the language. Sayd Ganj is the first Baloch dictionary which is also one of his biggest tributes and one can say devotions for Balochi. To add something more, verbally Baloch existed but it was barely being seen in written shapes before the 1900s.

    To make this piece of writing more attractive and interesting, one thing a shall add is that when we have a glimpse into Balochi Language, we can discover and come to acknowledge that after the 1950s, many Balochi authors, and linguists, researchers initiated working on Balochi and Sayad Zahoor Shah Hashmi was one of these legendaries who sacrificed their whole life, especially he, for Balochi.

    Not to go far, we shall end up by saying that we whole should acknowledge the contributions of these people who forfeited their lives just because of us, our culture, and our recognition which is highly mandatory for a living being.

By: Parvez Moula Bakhsh

The writer is a teacher at The Passion Institute of English Language and Tuition
Malir, Karachi