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ranslation is arguably one of the most demanding forms of writing. When it comes to poetry, it requires not only technical skill and a strong command of language but also emotional sensitivity and an appreciation of poetic rhythm and nuance.
Mir Mansoor’s debut publication, Song of the Soul, takes on the task of translating global poetry into Sindhi, a language with deep historical roots, spoken widely across Sindh and parts of India. Published by Rakhaon Publication in Karachi, the book reflects the author’s creative ambition and his stated preference for avoiding conventional paths. He claims to reject ‘herd mentality,’ drawing on Robert Frost’s notion of the less familiar path in shaping his literary approach.
Song of the Soul offers a Sindhi-language introduction to a selection of poems from world literature. Modest in scope, the 76-page volume includes 33 poems exploring a broad spectrum of themes, including love, affection, honesty, hope, hatred, labour, loss, oppression, revolution, resistance, envy, peace and stability. While compact, the book aims to provide Sindhi readers with a window to other poetic traditions.
The translator’s selection from the work of modern global poets, whose creative voices have shaped contemporary literature, is worth a comment. In Song of the Soul, his debut literary work, Mir Mansoor brings together notable poems from a diverse range of internationally recognised writers. The poets include Henry Wotton, WB Yeats, Yehuda Amichai, William Wordsworth, Pablo Neruda, Charles Bukowski, Nazim Hikmet, Khalil Gibran, Nizar Qabbani, Langston Hughes, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Ben Okri.
Mansoor, also known for his short story writing and poetry, has tried to retain the tone and spirit of the original poems in his translation. His careful selection of diction and contextual awareness adds to the readability of the collection. While some literary purists may question the limits of poetic translation, his effort to preserve the essence of the original texts offers Sindhi readers an accessible introduction to world poetry.
The effortless way each poem reads in Sindhi is impressive; so much so that at times, one might entirely forget that these are translated works. In several cases, the tone and flow are so natural that if the poet’s name is obscured, some of the readers might mistake them for original compositions in Sindhi.
A significant portion of the collection is devoted to the work of Khalil Gibran, the celebrated Lebanese poet. Seven of his most well-known and widely read poems are included. The translations are precise, fluent, accessible and likely to resonate with a wide range of readers.
One of the standout pieces is Langston Hughes’s I Dream a World. It has been rendered in Sindhi with a smooth, lyrical cadence that leaves a lasting impression. June Jordan’s Poem About My Rights, too, demonstrates the translator’s command over tone and context. The Sindhi version maintains the clarity and urgency of the original, without compromising meaning or stylistic integrity.
Song of the Soul also reflects a broad truth: that poets around the world, regardless of language or geography, may share a common sensibility. Whether reflective or revolutionary, pacifist or passionate, their writing expresses a humanistic vision that goes beyond cultural and linguistic boundaries. The collection highlights this universality, suggesting that poetry, at its best, remains a shared emotional and intellectual space.
Song of the Soul is a thoughtfully compiled literary work. Sindhi readers are likely to find it accessible, engaging and of artistic merit. For those interested in reading global poetry in Sindhi, the collection offers an entry point into the ideas and themes explored by internationally renowned poets.
Song of the Soul
Author: Mir Mansoor Mangrio
Publication: Rekhaon Karachi, 2024
Pages: 74
Price: Rs 200
The reviewer isa lecturer in English.He can be reached atsajidmaitlo10gmail.com