By: Sana Samad,
THIS year 13th of February marks the 24th death anniversary of the legend poet Atta Shad. During his period, he was the most well-known poet in Balochistan and also famous across Pakistan. Atta was renowned in writing poem in Urdu and Balochi, firstly he began his journey in poetry with Urdu poets, but later he had written poets in Balochi, for the promotion of his mother tongue.The well-known poet opened his eyes on November 1, 1939 in Singanisar a small town of Turbat Kech. His original name was Mohammad Ishaq, and Atta Shad was his pen name. He completed his basic education in Government High School Turbat, Matric in High School Panjgur in 1956, FA in Government College Turbat in 1959 and BA in Government College Quetta in 1962.
Atta Shad got changed when people saw his poets which were attractive. During his lifetime, he had successfully published two collections of Urdu poetry. Atta’s Urdu poetry is a true reflection of Balochi culture and landscape in Balochistan. He created a new poetic flavor in Urdu by bringing Balochi folk lore, romantic sagas and other poems including Mahnaaz, Shah Mureed and Hani, Wafa and Lori have represented various aspects of Balochi and changes in Baloch society.
In the time of Atta Shad, Balochi Poetry was divided into two parts and other competing groups. But Atta did not believe on anyone and wrote his own poems in Balochi. He had completely dominated the other poets. That time there were renowned poets, but Atta Shad was known as their leader. He emerged a great poet in Urdu and Balochi and could speak Persian as well. Through contributing poets, he had gotten many successful achievements.
PUBLICATIONS: 1: Rochgir (Collection of Balochi poetry)
2: Shap Sahar Andem (Collection of Balochi poetry)
3. Singaab (Collection of Urdu poetry)
4. Barfaag (Collection of Urdu poetry)
5. Gichain Shairi (Collection of selected works of contemporary Balochi poets
6. Balochi Nama (Socio-cultural Literature of Balochistan)
7. Dreen (Balochi folk songs with Urdu translation)
8. Urdu Balochi Lughat (Dictionary)
9. Balochi Urdu dictionary
10. Haft Zubani Lughat (Dictionary-Editor of Balochi Section)
11. Jawansal (Collection of Balochi sufi poet Ibrahim Jawansal Bugti)
12. Unpublished works both Balochi and Urdu
13. Author of several Radio and TV players.
AFFILIATION:
1. Balochi Academy Quetta
2. Idara-e-Saqafat-e- Balochistan Quetta
3. Pakistan National Book Council Islamabad
4. National Language Authority Islamabad 5. Markazi Urdu Board LahoreCountries visited: Iran, Saudi Arabia, USA, Australia, Germany, Thai Land, Italy, China, England and many more.
HOUNORS:
1: Presidential Pride of Performance Award (1983)
2. Sitara e Imtiaz Award (1982)
3. Special Award from Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Radio
4. Fellowship: International Training institute Sydney Australia
DEDICATED TO HIS NAME
Atta Shad Degree College Turbat
Atta Shad Academy Turbat
Atta Shad Auditorium, Idara-e-Saqafat-e-Balochistan Quetta
Atta Shad Park Turbat
Atta Shad English Language Institute Turbat.
Atta shad died on February 13, 1997 and was buried in Quetta. Now we have spent twenty fours years still his poets are present in every nook and corner of Balochistan. Atta Shad was the man who raised his voice against the social oppression and Balochistan had been vulnerable to tribal oppression and dictatorship over the years.
Daily Makran Times 