Siraj ul Haq Memon (24 October 1933 – 2 February 2013): A Life Dedicated to Sindh and the Sindhi Language
Siraj ul Haq Memon (24 October 1933 – 2 February 2013): A Life Dedicated to Sindh and the Sindhi Language
By Muhammad Habib Sanai
Siraj ul Haq Memon, popularly known as Siraj, was a renowned
intellectual, short-story writer, novelist, researcher, lawyer, journalist, and
linguist. He was born on 24 October 1933 in Tando Jam, a town near Hyderabad.
His father, Muhammad Yaqub “Niaz” Memon, was a Primary School Teacher with a
deep interest in literature. His translation of Diwan-e-Hafiz holds a
distinguished place in Sindhi literature.
Deeply influenced by his father's literary pursuits, Siraj
developed an early interest in reading and writing. After completing his
primary education in his hometown, he passed his matriculation examination from
Noor Muhammad High School, securing third position in the university. His
father had moved to Hyderabad to provide his children with better educational
opportunities.
Siraj's educational qualifications included a B.A.
(Honours), an M.A. in Economics, and an LL.B.
Literary Interests and Employment
According to Shaikh Aziz: “After completing his
matriculation in Hyderabad in 1950, he moved to Karachi. While studying at D.
J. National College, he also began working part-time as a sub-editor at the
weekly Sindh Observer to meet the expenses of his education and boarding
at Jinnah Courts. Later, he moved to Hyderabad, where he worked with Mohammad
Usman Deplai at his printing press.”
Recalling his work with Deplai Sahib, Siraj himself wrote: “Deplai
Sahib initially assigned me some proofreading work. Pleased with my work, he
subsequently gave me two books to translate, which he later published through
his press under the titles Cheen Mein Hariyan Khe Zamin Keean Milee (How
Did the Farmers in China Get Land?) and Dakhhan Maan Tho Sij Ubhray
(The Sun Rises from the South).”
Elsewhere, Siraj mentions that, at Deplai Sahib's
initiative, he also translated Insan aen Insaniat jee Tareekh (The
History of Humanity). While working at the press, he had the opportunity to
meet and develop friendships with a galaxy of Sindhi writers who regularly
visited the premises.
In 1953, the distinguished Sindhi intellectual Muhammad
Ibrahim Joyo brought Siraj to the Sindhi Adabi Board for employment. In 1955,
Siraj was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Board. In 1957, however, he
passed the competitive examination for the Central Superior Services (CSS) and
was appointed an officer in the Income Tax Department.
In 1969, General Yahya Khan compulsorily retired Siraj along
with 303 other senior officers. Reflecting on the circumstances that led to his
dismissal, Siraj wrote: “...Propaganda against me gave rise to all kinds of
inquiries by the C.I.D. and the Bureau of Intelligence. Their reports
ultimately cost me my job...”
Following his forced retirement, Siraj took up legal
practice and established himself as a successful lawyer, specialising in tax
matters. According to his younger sister, Dr Fahmida Hussain, a distinguished
scholar, he was regarded in this field as an “Encyclopedia of Income Tax Law”.
When Zulfikar Ali Bhutto formed the Pakistan Peoples Party
(PPP), he purchased the Sindhi newspaper Hilal-e-Pakistan and moved its
publication from Hyderabad to Karachi. Knowing Siraj personally, Bhutto invited
him to join the newspaper as its chief editor.
Recalling the demands of his position, Siraj wrote: “I was
Chief Editor, the Chief Reporter, the Chief Publisher and even the chief Paster
to make up a page ready for printing. I penned thousands of pages for the
newspaper – editorials, the humorous columns, the stories of human bondage of
the Sindhi people and reportages of my travels abroad with Mr. Bhutto. I worked
for more than eighteen hours a day...”
According to Shaikh Aziz, Siraj established new standards
for newspaper journalism through objective reporting and constructive
criticism. As editor, he also modernised the gossip column in Sindhi
journalism.
Siraj is consequently regarded as having given modern Sindhi
journalism a “new birth”. He encouraged several writers to take up column
writing and journalism, including Amar Jaleel, Naseer Ejaz, G. N. Mughal, and
others.
When the Zia regime took control of newspapers owned by the
Pakistan Peoples Party in 1977, Siraj resigned from Hilal-e-Pakistan,
refusing to accept instructions from the military government. He returned to
legal practice and continued working as a senior advocate of the Supreme Court
until the final years of his life.
Literary Contributions
Siraj was a multifaceted personality whose contributions
enriched several areas of Sindhi literature. His first short-story collection, Aey
Dard Hali Aao (Come, O Pain), containing eight stories, was
published in 1961. His second collection, Uthoon Manhoon (The Eighth
Person), comprising seven stories, appeared in 1985. His short stories have
been translated into Urdu and English and published in various anthologies.
As a novelist, Siraj became the first Sindhi writer to
produce a trilogy comprising three novels, published under the collective title
Piyasi Dharti Ramandaa Baadal (Parched Earth and Wandering Clouds).
The trilogy consists of Munhinji Dunya Mirg Trishna (My World: A
Mirage), Munhinji Dunya Haikyal Viyaakal (My World: Lonely and
Restless), and Tuhinji Dunya Sab Rang Sanwal (Your World Is Full
of Colours, Sanwal).
Before the publication of this trilogy, Siraj had written
the historical novel Paarado Soee Sad (The Echo Is Call), which
appeared in 1979. The novel presents a fictional account of the oppressive
period of Arghun and Tarkhan rule in Sindh. His second novel, Marann Moon
San Aa (Rendezvous with Death), was published in 1988.
His son, Dr Amjad Siraj, translated all his novels into
English. These translations were published by the Siraj Institute of Sindh
Studies, an organisation established in his honour by his family and friends,
with operations in Hyderabad and Karachi.
Poetry and Plays
Siraj also wrote poetry. Early in his literary career, he
adopted the pen name “Bismil”. Although his poetic output was relatively small,
it included approximately five songs, one poem, two verse translations, and
five free-verse poems. His free-verse poem Karachi is of particular
historical significance. He wrote it when Karachi was separated from Sindh and
placed under federal administration in the early 1950s.
Siraj also wrote several plays that gained considerable
popularity. His poetry and plays were collected and published in a volume
entitled Tunhji Tand Tanwar in 2015.
Non-Fiction Works
Siraj wrote extensively on literature, history, and related
subjects. His non-fiction output included articles, essays, prefaces, book
reviews, profiles, literary sketches, and travelogues. Many of these writings
were subsequently compiled into several collections, including Daahip an
Daat jee Laat, Moon ja Sirji Sit, Dosti jo Safar, and Shah
Latif ji Aafaaqiat.
These works reflect the breadth of his intellectual
interests and his sustained engagement with Sindhi literature, culture,
history, and society.
Translations
Siraj made significant contributions to Sindhi literature
through his translations. Among his works in this field was Choond Amerikee
Mukhhtasir Afsanna (Selected American Short Stories), which he
translated jointly with Ghulam Rabbani. He also translated Charles and Mary
Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare and Dr S. P. Chhablani's Economic
Conditions in Sindh, 1595–1843, under the Sindhi title Sindh Ji Iqtisadi
Tareekh.
Siraj also mentions two other works, Oliver Goldsmith's She
Stoops to Conquer and Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The School for Scandal,
which he translated for the Sindhi Adabi Board in 1957. However, it appears
that neither translation was published. Another unpublished translation by
Siraj was Save Sindh, Save the Subcontinent, a work by Muhammad Ibrahim
Joyo.
In addition, he translated some of Shah Abdul Latif's poetry
into English. Shaikh Aziz also mentions that Siraj translated works by T. S.
Eliot into Urdu.
Journalism
Throughout his journalistic career, Siraj wrote editorials
addressing important issues while serving as editor of the daily Hilal-e-Pakistan.
He also contributed hundreds of articles and columns to Jaago, including
pieces published under the headings Rati'a Ji Rihaann, Mullan Ji Daur,
and Siyasi Manzar Namo. He also wrote numerous articles and columns
under the pen name S. M. Lahooti.
During the 1990s, Siraj became one of the founding directors
of Jago, a new Sindhi-language daily published from Karachi. He
regularly contributed articles and columns to the newspaper. It is understood
that some of his English-language articles appeared on its front page.
His journalistic writings were subsequently collected in
several volumes, including Rati jee Rehaan, Siyasee Manzar Namo
(in two volumes), and Mullan ji Dor, among others. These collections,
along with his other books, were published by the Siraj Institute of Sindh
Studies.
Contributions to Linguistics
One of Siraj's most important contributions to linguistics
was Sindhi Boli (The Sindhi Language), published in 1964. The
book sparked a significant debate in Sindhi literary and scholarly circles
about the historical development and origins of the Sindhi language.
In this work, Siraj challenged theories and hypotheses
advanced by other scholars of Sindh. He rejected explanations that derived
Sindhi from Sanskrit, classified it as a Dravidian language, or placed it
within the Semitic language family. Instead, he argued that Sindhi was the
original and indigenous language of Sindh.
His arguments generated considerable debate, and some
scholars initially disagreed with his position. The controversy prompted
further discussion and research into the origins and development of the
language.
The book received an award from the Pakistan Writers Guild.
A second Sindhi edition and an English translation by Dr Amjad Siraj were
published by the Sindhi Language Authority in 2009.
Sindhi Boli provoked a heated debate, dividing
scholars into supporters and opponents of Siraj's arguments. In response to
criticism from Dr Baloch, Dr N. A. Jatoi, Gangaram Samsarat, and others, Siraj
wrote several articles defending his position. Other scholars' articles, along
with his, were later compiled and published in a volume titled Sindhi Boli
jo Asal Nasal.
He also served as Chief Editor of the Oxford
English–Sindhi Dictionary, published by Oxford University Press, Pakistan.
Swan Song
According to Encyclopedia Sindhiana, Siraj completed
two books in English during the final years of his life: (1) History of
Sindh and Sindhi Language and (2) Biography of an Unknown Sindhi.
The first book was published by the Siraj Institute of Sindh
Studies in 2015. Siraj had already referred to this work in the preface to the
second edition of Sindhi Boli. He wrote: “There were some minor
mistakes, most of which have been rectified, but the subject matter and the
original text have been retained. Although the book should have been rewritten,
I mean that there should be a debate on this viewpoint, as that is a good tradition.
At the same time, it would not be unfair to say that I am writing another book
in English on the same subject, entitled The Story of Sindhi Language,
in which I have explained my viewpoint in detail and with clarity.”
The passage reveals Siraj's awareness of the need for
continuing scholarly debate about the origins and development of Sindhi. His
intention to present his arguments in greater detail in English also reflects
his desire to bring his linguistic research to a wider readership.
Academic Works
Siraj also wrote educational material for students. In 1963,
he authored an Economics textbook for intermediate students in accordance with
the syllabus prescribed by the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education,
Hyderabad. Earlier, he had written a question-and-answer guide for
matriculation students.
Books About Siraj
Taj Joyo compiled an anthology entitled Siraj Devmalaaee
Kirdar (Siraj: A Mythological Character). Divided into seven
sections, the book consists mainly of articles discussing Siraj's life,
personality, and contributions.
In addition, two scholars have completed M.Phil. research on
Siraj's work. Hemo Kalani completed a thesis entitled “Services of Siraj for
Sindhi Literature”, while Shabeer Kumbar completed one entitled “Contribution
of Siraj in Deciphering the Indus Script”.
These studies demonstrate the range of scholarly interest in
Siraj's literary and intellectual contributions, extending from Sindhi
literature to research into the Indus script.
Awards and Final Years
In recognition of his contributions, Siraj received several
awards, including the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 2011.
This distinguished writer, scholar, linguist, journalist,
and lawyer, who remained deeply devoted to Sindh and the Sindhi language, died
of a heart attack in the early hours of 2 February 2013 at the National Medical
Centre in Karachi.
He was laid to rest on 4 February 2013 at Gizri Cemetery in
Defence, Karachi, where his father and younger brother are also buried.
Siraj left behind a substantial body of literary,
journalistic, and scholarly work. His writings, particularly his contributions
to Sindhi fiction, journalism, and linguistics, remain an important part of
Sindh's intellectual history.
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