The Dad Series
This is the second interview which we took of Jameel Mehrab, a close ally of Allah Dad Wahid, particularly, concerning Dad’s literary work, under our series “The Dad Series”.
Note: The interview was conducted in Balochi language and translated into English by The Baloch News Team.
Question: How did you first come to interact with Dad?
Jameel Mehrab: I cannot actually recall when and how we first interacted, but I believe it was when Dad had sent a content for the “Arjal” journal. Our conversations began to gradually increase thereafter. Eventually, I realized Dad was a zealous man for the nation and the [Balochi] language. Though there exists many people who are devoted to the nation and its cause, but I loved him the most. Therefore, I had most of my debates with him regarding literary works.
Question: Since your first interaction till last, what are the best qualities for you to observe in Dad?
Jameel Mehrab: I believe Dad was different from rest of the others in several means. He was a straightforward and an honest man. Dad never wanted credits for his name, but only wanted to explore the areas neglected or least-worked-on in Balochi literature. Whenever I talked to him, he would mention about the books on which work was underway, or those on which work was required to be done. And gradually, Dad’s selection began to develop; he had selected to work on mostly his selected books from politics, science, philosophy and history which were least explored in Balochi. Generally, every person has their own taste of persons, but we had rare persons like Dad. Had he been alive and continued his efforts the same way, I am confident that he would take Balochi to great heights.
Question: How do you see his efforts in Balochi literature? Can you detail us about his work?
Jameel Mehrab: His own written materials may be very few, and he could not do more works in the institution he was affiliated with, because the works he was doing were collaborated, or have not published. But Dad knew how to work and make others work. People, who were close to him, supported him with no hesitation and he would start working in the areas of [Balochi] literature that required attention. He had one clear vision throughout his life; to work on the Balochi language in a way that implants intellectual seeds in the people.
Question: How big a gap has he left behind – particularly in the Balochi literature?
Jameel Mehrab: Dad was not someone who would only work, but also a creative person. He had seen various dreams for his language, and many of his selected works perhaps will be published, but his selection and process of working never really stopped. Not much of his works and writings came to the surface. Comparatively other people wrote more and appeared more visible – there works are highly valued and respected though; but to me, Dad’s vision was far ahead. With his demise, Dad ends all the dreams he saw, because he only knew the interpretation of his dreams.
Question: Any other thing you would like to say about Allah dad? Something you feel is important?
Jameel Mehrab: I say that those who were connected to Dad, in one way or the other, should not drift away from him after his physical departure from us. Because Dad was a complete (true) Baloch, and each of his breath belonged to the Balochi. It is hard for a Baloch to give up on their Balochism (identity as a Baloch). Let us pledge to see his dreams with our own eyes now and, at least, try to bring some of those dreams to life.
