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
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)
Jai Jhulelal!
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