Being Sindhi (Contd...)

I met a dear friend yesterday after few months. Both of us are quite close, having known each other for the last decade or so. We have a lot in common - both of us are Sindhis,  our families know of each other, have grown up in the same neighborhood and do feel strongly about our ancestry and Sindhiyat. Although over the past few years ago, we meet less ; however the bond still remains as strong as ever. 

I have always known that his family have been ardent follower of Baba Guru Nanak Jee and Guru Granth Sahib ; his paternal grandfather having played an important role in the locality's Gurmandir ("Tikana") and till today still continues to visit the Gurmandir for the weekly service. What I did not know is that for the last many decades, they observe the practice of keeping Guru Granth Sahib at home. My friend tells me that the practice has its origins in the Sindh era as one of his great grandfather post retirement from his job voluntarily took up the role of "pathi". As I have mentioned earlier (in my posts), most Sindhis are Nanakpanthis and the community has historically shared a close relationship with Sikhism.I am told that it was a common practice in Sindh whereby the eldest child was 'gurdinno' or 'Given to the Guru'. I am also told that this was particularly true of "Lalwani" and "Makhijani" families. Pluralism has always been a way of life for the Sindhis. Steven.W. Ramey begins his book " Hindu, Sufi, or Sikh: Contested Practices and Identifications of Sindhi Hindus in India and Beyond" with the statement : 'A disciple of a Muslim Sufi advised a community of Hindus in Lucknow, India, to install the Guru Granth Sahib , a text central for Sikhs'. 

The family is extremely particular about this practice and has a dedicated room in their house wherein "Kadah Parsad" is served daily. Not only do they have the holy book there but also idols of various dieties as well as family elders. All the yearly collections go to the locality Gurmandir as a contribution towards "langar" served on Guru Nanak Devji's Birthday. I was extremely pleased to know that my friend intends to keep this practice ongoing. It is in acts like these that one sees the undying spirit of Sindh! My best wishes to the family.

I end with the below lines by great Sindhi writer Krishin "Rahi" which I heard for the first time while watching the below video and have remained with me ever since. Youtube link of Dada Ghanshyam Vaswani's wonderful rendition of the same is also given below.

Jeke hite jameya, se bhi Sindhi sadba
Sindhi thi bhi sindh khe disan khoon sikanda

Dhaaryan Vaangya Jadah Sindh Vanjhee Disanda

Allah Manu Kiya Chahunda 

T Sindhi aaya Sindh Disan

(The ones born here (India) will also be called Sindhi

Inspite of being Sindhi, will always yearn for a glimpse of Sindh

The day (when) they will be able to visit Sindh like visitors

Oh Allah! What will people  say

That Sindhis have come to see Sindh)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYFgaLaYN7c

Jai Jhulelal!

KOKI

Its 6 o clock in the evening here and I am writing this post in a jovial mood ; elated by the weather outside as it has just begun to rain . In the midst of hot and humid Delhi summers, rain showers are a welcome respite. Adding to the joy is my mother's standard evening query - Maani mein chaa khayinda (What will you have for Dinner?)? How can it be anything else but Koki in this weather.

If there is one food item that binds almost all Sindhis (like a glue!), it is the community's shared love for Koki and Saibhaaji. Personally, I am a little biased towards Koki! Who cannot like this thick bread made out of wheat flour kneaded with clarified butter (Desi Ghee). There are a number of variants of Koki as some also add chopped onions ("basar") but I like the one without them and with  jeera (Black cumin) and kaali mirch (Pepper) . Koki with salted butter and a cup of hot tea is a meal in itself!. 

A few years ago, I was traveling to Mumbai for work on an IndiGo flight.Normally I have my breakfast before I leave for the airport, but on that day, as it was an early departure, I requested my mother to pack my breakfast, which was my favorite Koki. During the in-flight snack service, upon being asked by the air-hostess about if I would like to buy anything, I politely refused and opened my tiffin box. Little did i realise that the air-hostess was a Sindhi as well, who looking at the tiffin box smiled and said - Another Koki lover!. It proved to be a great conversation starter. Such is our love for Koki!

On another note, I attended the bi-monthly concert organised by Sindhi Academy, Delhi last week. This time one of the singers was young Vineet Satpal, a fellow sindhi trained at the academy who was performing on such a platform for the first time.It is heartening to see young talent being promoted by the academy. The other singer was Saeen Dushyant Ahuja - a master at Sindhi ghazal singing. He sang marvelously.

 I end with the below link of a fast paced musical number that Vineet sang and enthralled the audience. As always, video credits go to Saeen Anil Makhijani.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNAF9ZKEdlk

Jai Jhulelal!