| http://sh.st/wB3PA |
Language
Sindhi
language evolved over a period of 2400 years. The language of the people of
Sindh, after coming in contact with the Aryan, became Indo-Aryan (Prakrit).
Sindhi language, therefore, has a solid base of Prakrit as well as Sanskrit,
the language of India, with vocabulary from Arabic, Persian, and some Dravidian
– descendants from Mediterranean sub-continent. Initially, Sindhi had close
contacts with Arabic- speaking Muslims. Therefore the language adopted many of
the Arabic words.
Sindhi
language is an ancient language spoken in Pakistan and many other parts of the
world. It is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by approximately 41 million people
in Pakistan, and 12 million people in India; it is the second most spoken
language of Pakistan, mostly spoken in the Sindh province. It is a recognized
official language in Pakistan, and also an official language in India.
Government of Pakistan issues National Identity Cards to its citizens only in
two languages; Sindhi and Urdu.
Sindhi
language is also greatly influenced by Sanskrit and about 70% of the words in
Sindhi are of Sanskrit origin. Sindhi is a very rich language with a vast
vocabulary; this has made it a favorite of many writers and so a lot of
literature and poetry has been written in Sindhi. It has been the inspiration
for Sindhi art, music, literature, culture and the way of life. The language
can be written using the Devanagri or Arabic script
Festivals
The
people of Sind love their religion and the two festivals of Eid-ul-Adha and
Eid-ul-Fitr are celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm. Different domestic festivals
are arranged by the local people to provide people with new things they buy on
Eid’s occasion. On different occasions, the Folk dance of Bhagat is also
performed by professionals to entertain the visiting people. Hence, a Sindhi
Cultural Festival is a compound of folk dances, music and cheap entertainment
for local people.
Lifestyle
People
of Sindh are more inclined towards an agricultural based lifestyle. The fertile
Indus Plains provide a valuable source of income for the local people who
practice farming on these lands. Inland fishing is also practiced along the
Indus River in Upper Sind providing further opportunities for local people.
Itinerant way of lifestyle is commonly seen in the desertic regions of Thar
where people move from place to place in search for drinking water sources
along with their animals.
Arts
and Music
Sindhi
society is dominated by great Sufis, the mystics and the martyrs. It has always
been the land of peace, love, romance, and great cultural and artistic values.
There were the great theologians of the Naqsh bandi order in Thatta who
translated the fundamentals of the religion of Islam into their mother tongue.
There were the great Sufi (mystic) poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai who was
the cherisher of truth and spent all his life in its propagation, pursuit and
quest. Bhitai was also an excellent musician. He invented a new type of musical
instrument, Tambura (drone instrument), which till today, is a primary source
of music in rural Sindh. The beauty of Shah’s verses is enhanced by his
blending of traditional Indian rag with the Sindhi folk songs and music.
Cultural
character
The
ancient Sindhi civilization was the place, where the aesthetic utilization of
leisure was freely indulged. There has been evidence, that the excavations of
sites dating back to 3000 B.C. (all over Sindh) is also true, around 1200 years
ago when Jaina Dakshiniya Chihna (778 A.D.) described the distinguished
features of Sindhi’s in this way: “Elegant, with a lovely, soft and slow gait,
they are fond of the art of harvas (that is, songs, music and dancing) and full
affection towards their country.” Sindhi’s celebrate Sindh Cultural day
worldwide on 6th December by wearing Ajrak & Sindhi Topi on that time.
