Sindhi Cultural Day

Sindhi Cultural Day (Sindhi: سنڌي ثقافتي ڏھاڙو‎, Urdu: سندھی ثقافتی دن‎), also known as 'Aekta jo ddihaarro', is widely celebrated with traditional enthusiasm to spotlight the centuries-old rich culture of Sindh. The day is celebrated all over Sindh, and amongst the Sindhi diaspora around the world. Cultural day is the celebration, demonstration of culture of Sindh, Sindhis in Sindh and Sindhi diaspora all over the world celebrate this day to demonstrate the peaceful identity of Sindhi culture and acquire the attention of the world towards the rich heritage and culture of Sindh.[1] On this jubilation people gather in all major cities of Sindh at Press Clubs, and other places and arrange various activities of literary (poetic) gatherings, Mach Katchehri (gathering in a place and sitting round in a circle and the fire on sticks in the center), musical concerts, seminars, lecture programs and rallies. It is also a symbol of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization.[2]

    Sindhi Cultural Day
    Sindhi cap, one of the symbols of Sindhi culture
    Observed byPeople of Sindh, Pakistan and by Sindhi community all over the world
    TypePublic
    SignificanceHonors the heritage and civilization of Indus Valley Civilization
    Date1st Sunday of December
    FrequencyAnnual

    Each year Sindhis celebrate Sindhi Cultural day worldwide on first Sunday (First week) of December.[3] On the occasion people wearing Ajrak and Sindhi Topi, traditional block printed shawl the musical programmes and rallies are held in many cities to mark the day with zeal. Major hallmarks of cities and towns are decorated with Sindhi Ajrak to highlight the cultural values of Sindh. People across Sindh exchange gifts of Ajrak and Topi at various ceremonies. Even the children and women dress up in Ajrak, assembling at the grand gathering, where famous Sindhi singers sing Sindhi songs, which depicts peace and love message of Sindh. The musical performances of the artists compel the participants to dance on Sindhi tunes and national song ‘Jeay Sindh Jeay-Sindh Wara Jean’.

    All political, social and religious organizations of Sindh, besides the Sindh culture department and administrations of various schools, colleges and universities, organize variety of events including seminars, debates, folk music programmes, drama and theatrics performances, tableau and literary sittings to mark this annual festivity. Sindhi culture, history and heritage are highlighted at the events.

    History
    Karachi: Teen Talwar wrapped in Ajrak in connection with Sindhi Cultural day
    Sindhi Cultural Day 2016

    Cultural day is observed to display solidarity among the Sindhi-speaking masses; the event is celebrated throughout Sindh and all over the world. The culture and heritage day was celebrated for the first time on 6 December 2009[3] (as the Sindhi Topi Day) as a backlash to the comments of anchorperson Dr. Shahid Masood who had criticized President Asif Ali Zardari for wearing a Sindhi cap on his foreign tours. People across the Sindh province condemned Masood’s comments via SMS, which ultimately resulted in the announcement of celebrating the Sindhi Topi Day. Ever since, Sindhi media groups have also started to celebrate the day as ‘Sindhi Cultural Day’. The Sindhi language TV channels including Time News, Sindh TV, Awaz TV and Mehran TV broadcast live and special programmes on the culture of Sindh, besides these media outlets separately arrange the mega musical events, which also attract large audience to celebrate the Culture Day every year.

    Timeline

    This is the timeline of celebrations of the Sindhi Cultural day.[4]

    2009

    The first cultural day celebrations were held on 6 December 2009.[5] Ali Kazi was the first to announce the celebration of the cultural day and all Sindhis endorsed his decision.

    2010

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated in December 2010.[6][7] Provincial government and Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah announced it a public holiday.[8]

    2011

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated in December 2011. Government of Sindh in collaboration with media centers sponsored this event.[9]

    2012

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated in December 2012.[10][11] A major gathering was held outside Karachi Press Club.[12]

    2013

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated in December 2013. The US Consulate in Karachi arranged a Qawali program on the occasion.[13]

    2014

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated in December 2014. The main event was arranged at Karachi Press Club.[14]

    2015

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated in December 2015. The US Consulate arranged a musical program at the Consul General’s residence.[15]

    2016

    This year all Sindhi media including KTN and Sindh TV mutually celebrated cultural day on 4 December.[16] Many people gathered at the Karachi Press Club, where a large stage was decorated with Pana-flexes.[17][18][19][express 1]

    The US Consulate General, Karachi celebrated the cultural day of Sindh.[20] Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also celebrated in Lahore during his political program.[21][22]

    2017

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated in the first week of December, 2017 across Sindh and worldwide.[23][24] The main event was held at Karachi Press Club where people from around the city gathered.[25][26]

    2018

    Sindhi cultural day was celebrated on Sunday, 2 December 2018.[27][28] The theme this year was Aekta (unity).[29][30] People all across the province celebrated the day by arranging Ajrak stalls, cultural gatherings and rallies;[31][32] main event in Hyderabad was arranged at Sindh Museum.[33]

    2019

    In 2019, Sindhi Cultural Day was celebrated on 1 December.[34][35] theme is "Our Unity Day".[36] This day was celebrated by Sindhi communities all over the globe even people from different communities participate on this celebration. Sindhis celebrate this day as National Eid. In Sindh province people celebrate this day by leading rally, dancing and singing Sindhi songs. From school to universities, students, teachers & parents celebrate by performing skits, studying Sindhi history, art & culture. On other hand Sindhi media in association with Sindhi Culture Department broadcast Sindhi Cultural Shows and shows school's & college's functions live on television.

    Largest and longest Sindhi Ajrak in the world was exhibited in Sukkur, Sindh and 130 meters and 20 feet Sindhi Ajrak was displayed in Hyderabad,[37] on the eve of Sindhi cultural Day in 1 December 2019.

    2020

    Preparations

    This year Sindhi Cultural Day is to be celebrated on 6 December. Preparations for celebrating this day Sindhi people across the world especially from Sindh are engaged in purchasing traditional clothing; Ajraks and Sindhi Caps.[38] Distinguished Sindhi personalities are leading people and arranging rallies from small to bigger towns of the province.[39] Moreover, Native musicians/singers have released Cultural Day video Songs promoting and preserving culture, Ali Zafar, Urooj Fatima & Abid Brohi have produced 'Allay Muhinja Maruara', Ghulam Asghar Khoso has produced 'Jiye Jiye Muhenji Sohni Sindhrri Jiye' and 'Pehanjo Polly Phenjo Sindh' is produced by Shuja Haider.[40]

    Celebration

    Today, 6 December, Cultural Day of Sindh is being celebrated across the world as well as in Sindh.[41]

    Traditional Attire

    It is a common site to see Sindhis covering themselves with the traditional attire while they celebrate the day. The most common two pieces of clothing regularly worn by Sindhis on this day include Ajrak and Sindhi cap. Both of these pieces hold a significant value among the locals as they are a symbol of pride, tradition, honor and respect for the culture.[42]

    • Sindhi cap front view
    • Sindhi Cap-Topview brighten
    • Sindhi Cap-Bottom front view
    • Sindhi Cultural Day 2016
    • Sindhi Cultural Day 2019 celebrations at Sindh museum Hyderabad, Sindh

    See also

    References
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    2. APP (4 December 2016). "Sindhi Culture Day celebrated in Sindh". The News International. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
    3. "Sindhi Culture Day completes first decade of celebrations with great gusto". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
    4. "Sindh Culture Day | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)". Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF). Retrieved 21 November 2018.
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