Syed Saleh Muhammad Shah

Syed Saleh Muhammad Shah (Sindhi: سيد صالح محمد شاه‎) was born on 3 September 1937 in village Darya Baig Mughal near Hyderabad. His father’s name was Syed Dadan Shah who was landlord. Syed Saleh was a Radio, T.V, Stage and film artist and expert of Sindhi Folk Literature. Syed died on 1 September 2007 in cardiac pain.

He passed the examination of Adeeb Alam, knew English and was a landlord. He is an eminent name in the Sindhi Folk Literature, culture and the world of art. As Nabi Bux Khan Baloch preserved Sindhi folk literature in the books, Syed Saleh Muhammad Shah brought it in front of public with an artistic skill and intelligence. He belonged to a literary family, therefore, got the opportunity to listen and read the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Shah Karim with correct pronunciation. He also studied the work of Syed Kabir Shah who came from same family and was believed to be “Leader of folk literature”. Syed Noor Muhammad Shah, a folk and traditional poet, was his maternal grandfather. Under his supervision and love Shah learnt about language and literature.

While Syed Saleh Muhammad Shah was studying, he joined Radio Pakistan Hyderabad on 4 April 1958 following the advice of his class fellow late Abdul Latif Abbasi, former Radio announcer. At Radio Pakistan Hyderabad Syed Saleh Muhammad Shah was announcer and read speeches, played part in dramas and features. His famous character of Radio was “Fateh Khan” which continued for forty years successfully. It is the character of a villager in the program “Sonn wardi dharti”. This program started in 1959 and had some other name. Shah took the support of every form of folk literature for his program and to educate the villagers, he used music, riddles, poems, folk stories, Kafees, traditional spiritual beliefs such as Tassawuf, agriculture, education, health, Sindhi literature etc. That’s why he became successful programmer of Radio. As he was from rural area, his tone and style of speaking was really like a villager.

One of the great contribution of Syed’s is, the complete audio book Shah Jo Risalo of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai was recorded in his voice at Radio Pakistan Hyderabad by Muhammad Qasim Maka. He also rendered his service as a compare in a program from PTV Karachi formerly “Autaaq” presently “Rass Rehan”. Syed Saleh Muhammad Shah has also performed in Sindhi Films.

For his services the government of Pakistan awarded, him “Tamgha e Husn e kaarkardigi”, presidential award, Gold medal (T.V), Gold medal (SGA), Gold medal (Shah Latif Cultural Society) and many other awards.

As he done the last episode of his Radio Program he was on the way back to home he felt cardiac pain and was moved to the Civil Hospital where he was pronounced dead by doctors. Syed Saleh Mohammad Shah was buried in Sakhi Shah Mohammad graveyard near Hatri Hyderabad on Sunday 2 September 2007.