JAMSHORO: Writers, academicians and close friends of Sindhi story writer, novelist and TV playwright Ali Baba paid him tributes on his first death anniversary at a seminar ‘Ali Baba: Personality, Art and Creative Role’ at Sindh University’s Institute of Sindhology. They said Ali was a multi-dimensional writer with innumerable abilities. He was a trendsetting writer in Sindhi literature and never chooses cheap romantic themes and other such bizarre topics, but he highlighted intrinsic social issues of society, pecuniary problems and societal deprivations of the people in his stories and dramas which he wrote profusely. Former Director of Sindhology Shaukat Hussain Shoro said Ali Baba achieved widespread popularity among his readers and viewers of television plays due to his genuine thoughts and concerns for social problems of the common people in his literary creations. Senior journalist Madad Ali Sindhi said Ali Baba was unconventional writer, who carved his own elevated place in Sindhi literature through his unique literary works. Dr Rasool Memon, a close friend of Ali said Ali Baba had contributed tremendously in enrichment of Sindhi literature. He entered in the realm of Sindhi literature as an author but emerged later as a very creative, progressive and powerful prose writer as well as TV playwright. He said novel ‘Moenjodaro’ by Ali Baba was more beautiful than that of original Moenjodaro. Sindhi poet Ali Dost Aajiz said the author was very helpful and highly intellectual writer whose writings left indelible impact on the minds of the reader. Writer Dr Tahmina Mufti said Ali was a distinctive name of Sindhi language. He always talked about Sindh and highlighted its problems in his writings. Ayoub Umrani said Ali was a reformist writer who fought with his pen against social evils. Ali Baba would long be remembered for this heroic act, he said. Director of Institute Dr Ishaque Samejo said plays written by Ali became very popular among the audience. “His plays that were aired by PTV, got familiarity among the masses which was a big exploit and a great literary work”, he said. A short documentary was also played on the life achievements of poet, writer, playwright and author. On the occasion book-launching ceremony of his two books Moenjodaro and Sindhbad Jo Safar got published by Sindh Archive Department was held. Published in Daily Times, August 10th 2017.