Sindh Bani: an Anthology

Sindh Bani is a poignant and compelling anthology capturing life in Sindh before the region was severed from India at the time of Partition. Who was Dewan Dialmal Doulatram, who foresaw the Partition as early as 1934? How does the story of the fragrant banknotes from a nautch girl unfold? The first part of the book features delightful and evocative stories from the author Sarla Kripalani’s childhood—of her family and friends, of bonding and betrayals, of honour and dishonour. Why did the Pirs come to Sindh, and the Mirs run away? Aaya Pir, Bhagga Mir and Other Sindhi Proverbs, the second section, is a lively compilation of proverbs that captures the wit and wisdom of Sindhis. Collected by Sarla over many years, these were passed down from her mother, Guli, and her mother-in-law, Sarsati. To ensure younger generations can understand them, each proverb is presented in both Sindhi and Hindi scripts, alongside its English equivalent—bridging cultures and revealing timeless, shared truths. What secrets and burdens did the Sindhworki apprentices silently carry? The third part is Sarla’s remarkable translation of T.K. Mirchandani’s Sindhi book, which uncovers the famed Sindhworki apprenticeship system instituted by the Sethias—a practice that built global fortunes but extracted a heavy, yet often unacknowledged, human cost. Sindh Bani is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to rediscover the heart and soul of Sindh.