Hira_Kasid_Reimaging Linguistic Diversity of Pakistani Languages

Hira: Assalam u Alaikum, my name is Hira Nadeem and today I’m here to document a language called Makrani. Makrani is a dialect of Balochi. So, today I have Kasid with me who is going to give me this interview. Assalam u Alaikum Qasid, how are you?

Kasid: I’m fine. How are you?

Hira: I’m also good. So Kaisd, are you up for this interview?

Kasid: Yes, sure

Hira: So, can you tell me about yourself?

Kasid: My name is Kasid Gul Baloch. I’m basically from Turbat Balochistan. But I’m currently living in Quetta. And it's my last semester. I am doing my major in political sciences from Forman Christian College.

Hira: Ok, thank you. So Kasid, I will be asking you a series of questions which of course, we will be getting to know more about you and the language itself. So I would like you to, you know if you are okay with this, can you translate it into Urdu as well?

Kasid: Okay

Hira: Okay, so let's get started with this. So what is your full name?

Kasid: My name is Kasid Gul Baloch.

Hira: Where were you born?

Kasid: I was born in 2000 in Quetta.

Hira: Who are your parents and what do they do? I mean do they live in Quetta as well?

Kasid: They live in Quetta. My father's name is Gul Muhammad Baloch and my mother's name is Gul Mahren Gul. My father is an engineer and my mother is a housewife.

Hira: Do you have siblings and what do they do?

Kasid: I have an elder sister who’s married and lives in Karachi. I have a little brother who's doing FA from FC.

Hira: Tell me about your childhood, a memory that you like, your favorite memory, or any such thing that you like?

Kasid: My favorite childhood memory is when we had a long vacation in December then we went to Turbat from Quetta and it was a very good memory.

Hira: And tell me what is your favorite game like the games children play like cricket in their alley and any such things which you did with your siblings?

Kasid: Childhood game, my favorite memory is that on weekends we went to play football with our neighbors.

Hira: Okay. Tell me did you have pets?

Kasid: I had a pet dog. It’s name was Dodo.

Hira: Ok. Tell me which school you attended and did you complete your studies from that same school or did you shift cities like when you came to Lahore for university? So tell me about this as well.

Kasid: I did my primary education in Quetta from Saints Francis Grammar School and I came to FC for intermediate after doing my matriculation.

Hira: Ok. Tell me do you have a favourite subject?

Kasid: My favorite subject is English because I thought it was very easy.

Hira: OK, did they teach you your language in your school?

Kasid: No, they did not teach us Balochi or Urdu.

Hira: Are there any family traditions in your family that are continuing? Like you are a Balochi, so is an old tradition that is still being carried out. Or a common thing that is celebrated in your society?

Kasid: The most common is that the women wear their cultural dresses and rituals like marriage rituals are followed the most which have been passed down. Another one is the Balochi chaap. Balochi also do chaap.

Hira: What is the difference between the dresses from there and from here? Is there a speciality in them?

Kasid: The main difference between Balochi culture and the other cultures is that our clothes, especially women, are handmade. I haven't seen this in other cultures.

Hira: OK, I have seen that they wear caps, women also wear hats and they have different types of jewelry. I haven't seen that kind of jewelry here if we talk about Punjab. They do sell them here but they're also handmade. What are the caps and shawls made of?

Kasid: the cap that you're talking about, we call it Dastar in our language and only the man wears it on his head. Other than that there is no such thing as women's attire. As far as jewelry is concerned, I think it is traditional, it comes from Balochi culture. Aside from this, there are a lot of similarities between Baloch and other cultures.

Hira: Ok. I have seen an instrument called Dambora, I think, which the Balochi play at the festivals. Do you know about this and have you ever played it at your family function?

Kasid: You are talking about the instrument Dambora, it is mostly used by musicians and it is usually played on occasions such as marriage.

Hira: Ok. Tell me if you have a favorite holiday or festival that is linked with your culture, for which you travel back home, and which is special for you.

Kasid: There is a ritual that is followed in my region, there are two. One is Shiparja and the other is called Malid. They are mostly on Eid days. Everyone comes to watch.

Hira: Can you tell me what happens in them?

Kasid: I don't know any specific difference between them but in one event, some people make a circle and dance.

Hira: Ok. So, have you ever participated in such a thing?

Kasid: No I haven't participated in such a thing.

Hira: Ok. I think there is a Balochi society in FC. So on cultural days, do you do such dances, I think it is called chaap, do you do such a thing?

Kasid: In cultural events, yes, when we have to present Balochi culture, we do the Balochi chaap. Not just me but others participate as well.

Hira: Ok. Tell me, is there a special food recipe of your family which is linked with your culture which you like a lot? A recipe that has been passed down generations, for example, they call them grandmother recipes in English. Is there a thing like that in your culture?

Kasid: Our traditional recipes and dishes include Sajji, Battu mash, Dalag, Artuapp, and Tawaiq. They are not just in Balochistan, they are in Balochistan and there are some specific food and dishes also in Makaran.

Hira: Ok. I have heard about Sajji but not the others. Are they meat dishes? Tell me about them. What are the recipes? What are these?

Kasid: You might know of Sajji, it's a meat, chicken, or mutton. Aside from this Dalag has beef, it's similar to Haleem. Aside from this, Battu mash, we eat it with fish. Artuapp is a kind of soup and it is also eaten with a fish.

Hira: It is unique. So which one is your favorite among these?

Kasid: Artuapp.

Hira: Ok. So, tell me that like Balochistan is very famous for its mines and coal. I think it is an underrated province. There are a lot of beautiful minerals in the world found here. Have you ever visited such a site, mine or something you want to tell me about that place, as you know everything is not available on Google. So is there something you can tell me about it?

Kasid: A site to visit will be Makran coastal highway. On one side of it, there is the sea and on the other side, there is a mountain. There is also another site called Mud Volcano.

Hira: Is it a real volcano?

Kasid: It is a volcano where mud is erupting

Hira: Oh, so you have seen this live?

Kasid: Yes.

Hira: Ok. So, tell me does your family have any superstitions or beliefs? I think every place, every area has its own stories, some superstitious stories which the elders told you. Is there a similar story that you would like to share with us?

Kasid: I basically spent my whole life in Quetta, so superstitious things like this, uh, I haven't heard things like this. And if we talk about Makran, this superstitious element is quite less there.

Hira: Ok. So did your family ever tell you any folklore or stories while you were growing up? Stories like Heer Rhanjha are quite famous. I think every city has one or some which we do not know and maybe your area also has a very famous folktale, a story?

Kasid: From childhood, we have heard stories about Anush and Murit. It's a love story. And besides that, we have heard about Sassi Punnu. It's another love story. We have heard about that. And besides Sassi Punnu, Punnu is basically from Turbat. And it was considered that he was a prince of Turbat. And he also had a fort, which we call Miri Fort.

Hira: Ok. I think there is a fort called Rani Fort. Is it the same fort or is it another fort?

Kasid: No, no, it's called Adegeri Rani Fort. It's different.

Hira: Ok. This story Sassi Punnu. Tell me a little about the background of the story of Sassi Punnu. How is it linked to your culture? I understand that Punnu belongs to your area. But is it a folktale? I mean have you seen live proof, as you know artifacts exist or anything like that which you have seen?

Kasid: If we talk about the authenticity of Sassi Punnu, one thing is that Punnu is a tribe in Makran called Huth. Its authenticity links from there. The second thing is that there is also a fort called Miri Fort. It was the residence of Punnhun. And if we talk about Sassi, Sassi was from Sindh. She was related to Bambur, an area in Sindh.

Hira: Ok. Can you tell me if you have any favorite folk tales? Which you liked as a child.

You know when you are listening to a story, you find it very interesting, you want to explore it and it becomes your favorite story.

Kasid: In my childhood, my grandmothers would tell this story, there were three sisters and there was Mushtiq, Waniq, and another character in it, they told me that. I can't remember it correctly, but I liked it very much.

Hira: So tell me about some story. What was the story about?

Kasid: The story was basically about poverty. Three sisters were abandoned by their father. There was a rivalry between the three sisters. One sister became rich and the other was poor.

Hira: Ok. Tell me about the artifacts there. I've heard there is a lot of poetry there. Were there any other things that are different from other cultures? Maybe we haven't seen any such thing. Can you tell us about it?

Kasid: I have noted two things. One thing is that the women mostly make their own clothes. Everything is handmade, design and all other things, they do it themselves. Before this, I told you the story of Sassi Punnhun, at Sassi Punnhun Fort in the 19th something there was an excavation. So from there, things like big shalwar were excavated.

Hira: Ok. Tell me what kind of weather is it most of the time

Kasid: In Turbat the weather is very hot. I remember in 2017 or 2016, in July the temperature was 50 plus.

Hira: Ok. How is life there? What is the difference? If we talk about metropolitan cities, life is moving. There are crowds and malls and all the necessities are available. Different things like recreational things are available. So how is life there? Elaborate it. Of Course, I think urbanization is everywhere now, and cafes have opened in different places. But some specific areas are always left out. Life there is different, agricultural life is present. Tell me all this in detail.

Kasid: The distinct thing about Turbat is that it has a lot of date palms. Agriculture does not support that place much. Other than that, if we talk about Turbat, it is not very backward. It is the second most developed city in Balochistan. So the lifestyle there is quite similar to life in Quetta.

Hira: Okay. There is one thing that I hear a lot that Punjabi people cannot go there. There are some army scenes too. You know that every area has a political story. So if you want to highlight a story like this, give us a background.

Kasid: Talking about political events, there is a group that talks about the separation of Balochistan. It should be separated from Pakistan. We also call it Sarmachar. They are called Baloch militants. Other than that, before this, Punjabi people used to live in Turbat and Makran regions. They used to live there. But in 2006, when Akbar Bukti was killed, the situation became very bad. Specifically, if we talk about Turbat and Makran, there was a mass genocide of Punjabi people that started. It was after 2006. After that, Punjabi people who lived in Turbat came back to Punjab or other areas where they used to live. Other than that, I think the insecurity of Punjabi people is limited to the Makran region. Other than that, I think they can go to Quetta region and other nearby areas which are Punjabi. There is no such life-threatening situation for them.

Hira: Ok. Tell me, other than Makrani, which language do you speak? Do you speak any other language than Urdu, English, or Makrani?

Kasid: The people of Turbat mostly speak Balochi. Other than that I don't think any other language is spoken in Makran, Gwadar, Turbat or Panjoor. Other than that, the person who lives in Quetta knows multiple languages. Apart from Urdu, anyone who lives in Quetta knows these languages, Baluchi, Bravi, and Pashto. Even though I have lived in Quetta for a long time I don't know.

Hira: Ok. If we talk about Gwadar port, I think there are a lot of Chinese people working there, so what is the impact of this on the lives of local people?

Kasid: When the Chinese came to Gwadar, there was a resettlement. Many of the residents of Gwadar were shifted to other areas. There was one protest by the people of Gwadar. Other than that, Chinese development is still restricted to the port. It hasn't come out yet. I think the project is too long and it's in the initial stages. That's why the development is not in Gwadar.

Hira: Ok. Can you tell us a famous line or famous quote from your language?

Kasid: I don't think I can think of a saying or a word like this. If we talk about poetry, the poetry of different people from different areas of Balochistan is famous. For example, there is Mubarak Kazi in Pasini. Apart from that, there is Syed Ashmi in Turbat. His poetry is very famous. And a place near Quetta called Nushki, there are very famous poetries of Gul Khan Naseer, which is famous throughout Balochistan.

Hira: Do you know any poetry that you remember you can read to us?

Kasid: I don't know much about poetry. Aside from this, there is a poet Mumtaz Yousufi. He says in his poetry.

If I translate it,

Don't enclose us in the grave

Let our ashes be flown in the river of Ganga.

Hira: Ok. Tell me, what do you think, how did your language shape your identity? Because I think you use a different language at home, you talk differently in your university. If you have another Baloch student, you will talk to him in that language. So, I want to know how you think your language shaped you.

Kasid: When you talk in Balochi, it shapes your personality to a great extent. When you are a Balochi and you are talking to someone else, that person keeps some expectations from you which are attached to your values. When you are talking to someone, there is a certain moral code like how do you talk with the other person. There is hospitality that they are very hospitable. When you do Balochi, it reflects your personality and culture. These things are linked with the language.

Hira: That's right. Ok. Tell me how does your language reflect on your culture and community?

Kasid: If we discuss values, the question is, when you are Baloch, irrespective of whether you are from Turbat or Quetta or any other area of Balochistan, there is a factor of hospitality that I think other Baloch people expect from you. When people from KPK, Sindh or Punjab come to your area, you have to reflect on the hospitality. So, it is very important to treat them with respect. These things have quite an importance.

Hira: Right. Ok. Now tell me, you have brought Bikrani, which is your mother tongue. Is this your first language, or did you learn it at home, or did you learn it somewhere else?

Kasid: If we are talking about language, a lot of people from Makran speak Balochi. It's also possible that people don't know Urdu or English, but they speak Baloch. If you speak about me, I learned Baloch from home, from Baloch people. It's my first language. I learned Urdu and English from school and college.

Hira: Okay. So, what are the other regional variations of your language?

Kasid: If we talk about the dialects of Balochi, I think that there are three dialects or maybe there can be more. One is Makrani spoken in the Makran region, one is Rakshan which is spoken by people of a specific district, and one is Sulaimani Balochi which is spoken by people of Dera Bhugti, Kholo, etc.

Hira: Ok. Do you think that in the coming years, the value of the Balochi language will decrease or people will drop its use? Because you know that in jobs English has become compulsory for you. Urdu is a language that you can communicate with everyone in your country. So, what do you think about this? Do you feel this way? Because you were telling me in the beginning that your language is not taught in schools. You are just learning this language in your home.

Kasid: When we talk about the Balochi language, I think that poetry is very trending. Among the people of Balochistan, the poetry of the famous poets is still heard and is used in music. For example, Gulqan Nasir, Atasha, Syed Ashmi, Mubarak Qazi. People still read and also hear them.

Hira: What do you think the regional language should also be taught and it should have the same value as the other languages? English is given a lot of value in our society, but if you say that we also read Urdu, what do you think? Do you think we should promote our regional language in the same way?

Kasid: When it comes to the language, I think the regional languages are not taught in schools. But they should be promoted. But the problem is that our education system in Balochistan is not that strong. So that's one factor. Apart from that, if I am speaking Balochi I can speak Balochi, but I can't write Balochi. I don't know how to write Balochi. So it should be promoted, the Balochi language. Apart from that, not only Balochi but also your Bravi language, Pashto is present in Balochistan. It should be taught according to the region.

Hira: Do your parents know how to write Balochi language?

Kasid: When it comes to language, about writing, my parents know how to write Balochi. But it's like self-interest. Which you learn yourself. Apart from that, academia and educational institutions don't teach you Balochi.

Hira: Tell me, let's take this interview to the end. And I have a question for you. I want to know your opinion. In your life ahead. You will meet many people. For example, you have friends. You will have a family and your generation. Do you think you will take this language forward?

Kasid: If I talk about the Balochi language. Yes, I want to promote it. And I will do as much as I can. I will not only restrict it to the Turbat or Makran region. Or to Balochistan. I want the whole of Pakistan to know about it. That is what is Balochi. And what are its roots?

Hira: Right. My own opinion is that you should have an idea about the most spoken languages in your country even though you do not know how to speak them. And I hope that you succeed in your mission. We will end the interview and it is my wish that you can sing us any lyric or any line of song in Balochi. If you know any, can you just read it? You can do it orally.

Kasid: I haven't heard any such songs but I can suggest that you listen to songs of Arif Baloch, and Shah Jahan Daudi. Through them, you will learn about different instruments and you also get to know about different poets. Authentic poetry is mostly used in our music. So you can listen to them.

Hira: Thank you so much Kasid and I'm very happy to have conducted this interview with you. I feel like I explored a whole culture while sitting here and I think every place has its uniqueness and we should not feel like it doesn't exist. Everything and every language has its value. All the things you said were linked to your language and culture. Have a great day ahead and thank you so much for this interview.

Kasid: My pleasure.

Hira: Allah hafiz and take care.

Kasid: Allah hafiz. 00:01:00Hira: Assalam u Alaikum, my name is Hira Nadeem and today I’m here to document a language called Makrani. Makrani is basically a dialect of Balochi. So, today I have Kasid with me who is going to give me this interview. Assalam u Alaikum Qasid, how are you?

Qasid:I’m fine. How are you?

Hira: I’m also good. So Kaisd, are you up for this interview?

Qasid:Yes, sure

Hira: So, can you tell me about yourself?

Kasid: My name is Kasid Gul Baloch. I’m basically from Turbat Balochistan. But I’m currently living in Quetta. And it's my last semester. I am doing my major in political sciences from Forman Christian College.

Hira: Ok, thank you. So Kasid, I will be asking you a series of questions which of course, we will be getting to know more about you and the language itself. So I would like you to, you know if you are okay with this, can you translate it into Urdu as well?

Kasid: Okay

Hira: Okay, so let's get started with this. So what is your full name?

Kasid: My name is Kasid Gul Baloch.

Hira: Where were you born?

Kasid: I was born in 2000 in Quetta.

Hira: Who are your parents and what do they do? I mean do they live in Quetta as well?

Kasid: They live in Quetta. My father's name is Gul Muhammad Baloch and my mother's name is Gul Mahren Gul. My father is an engineer and my mother is a housewife.

Hira: Do you have siblings and what do they do?

Kasid: I have an elder sister who’s married and lives in Karachi. I have a little brother who's doing FA from FC.

Hira: Tell me about your childhood, a memory that you like, your favourite memory or any such thing that you like?

Kasid:My favourite childhood memory is when we had a long vacation in December then we went to Turbat from Quetta and it was a very good memory.

Hira: And tell me what is your favourite game like the games children play like cricket in their alley and any such things which you did with your siblings?

Kasid: Childhood game, my favourite memory is that on weekends we went to play football with our neighbours.

Hira: Okay. Tell me did you have pets?

Kasid: I had a pet dog. It’s name was Dodo.

Hira: Ok. Tell me which school you attended and did you complete your studies from that same school or did you shift cities like when you came to Lahore for university? So tell me about this as well.

Kasid: I did my primary education in Quetta from Saints Francis Grammar School and I came to FC for intermediate after doing my matriculation.

Hira: Ok. Tell me do you have a favourite subject?

Kasid: My favourite subject is English because I thought it was very easy.

Hira: Ok, did they teach you your language in your school?

Kasid: No, they did not teach us Balochi or Urdu.

Hira: Are there any family traditions in your family that are continuing? Like you are a Balochi, so is an old tradition that is still being carried out. Or a common thing that is celebrated in your society?

Kasid: The most common is that the women wear their cultural dresses and rituals like marriage rituals are followed the most which have been passed down. Another one is the Balochi chaap. Balochi also do chaap.

Hira: What is the difference between the dresses from there and from here? Is there a speciality in them?

Kasid: The main difference between Balochi culture and the other cultures is that our clothes, especially women, are handmade. I haven't seen this in other cultures.

Hina: Ok, I have seen that they wear caps, women also wear hats and they have different types of jewelry. I haven't seen that kind of jewellery here if we talk about Punjab. They do sell them here but they're also handmade. What are the caps and shawls made of?

Kasid:the cap that you're talking about, we call it Dastar in our language and only the man wears it on his head. Other than that there is no such thing as women's attire. As far as jewellery is concerned, I think it is traditional, it comes from Balochi culture. Aside from this, there are a lot of similarities between Baloch and other cultures.

Hira: Ok. I have seen an instrument called Dambora, I think, which the Balochi play at the festivals. Do you know about this and have you ever played it at your family function?

Kasid: You are talking about the instrument Dambora, it is mostly used by musicians and it is usually played on occasions such as marriage.

Hira: Ok. Tell me if you have a favourite holiday or festival which is linked with your culture, for which you travel back home and which is special for you.

Kasid:There is a ritual which is followed in my region, there are actually two. One is Shiparja and the other is called Malid. They are mostly on Eid days. Everyone comes to watch.

Hira: Can you tell me what happens in them?

Kasid:I don't know any specific difference between them but in one event, some people make a circle and dance.

Hira: Ok. So, have you ever participated in such a thing?

Kasid: No I haven't participated in such a thing.

Hira: Ok. I think there is a Balochi society in FC. So on cultural days, do you do such dances, I think it is called chaap, do you do such a thing?

Kasid:In cultural events, yes, when we have to present Balochi culture, we do the Balochi chaap. Not just me but others participate as well.

Hira: Ok. Tell me, is there a special food recipe of your family which is linked with your culture which you like a lot? A recipe that has been passed down generations, for example, they call them grandmother recipes in English. Is there a thing like that in your culture?

Kasid:Our traditional recipes and dishes include Sajji, Battu mash, Dalag, Artuapp and Tawaiq. They are not just in Balochistan, they are in Balochistan and there are some specific food and dishes also in Makaran.

Hira: Ok. I have heard about Sajji but not the others. Are they meat dishes? Tell me about them. What are the recipes? What are these basically?

Kasid:You might know of Sajji, it's a meat, chicken or mutton. Aside from this Dalag has beef, it's similar to Haleem. Aside from this, Battu mash, we eat it with fish. Artuapp is a kind of soup and it is also eaten with a fish.

Hira: It is quite unique. So which one is your favourite among these?

Kasid: Artuapp.

Hira: Ok. So, tell me that like Balochistan is very famous for its mines and coal. I think it is an underrated province. There are a lot of beautiful minerals in the world found here. Have you ever visited such a site, mine or something you want to tell me about that place, as you know everything is not available on Google. So is there something you can tell me about it?

Kasid: A site to visit will be Makran coastal highway. On one side of it, there is the sea and on the other side, there is a mountain. There is also another site called Mud Volcano.

Hira: Is it a real volcano?

Kasid:It is a volcano where mud is erupting

Hira: Oh, so you have seen this live?

Kasid:Yes.

Hira: Ok. So, tell me does your family have any superstitions or beliefs? I think every place, every area has its own stories, some superstitious stories which the elders told you. Is there a similar story that you would like to share with us?

Kasid: I basically spent my whole life in Quetta, so superstitious things like this, uh, I haven't heard things like this. And if we talk about Makran, this superstitious element is quite less there.

Hira: Ok. So did your family ever tell you any folklore or stories while you were growing up? Stories like Heer Rhanjha are quite famous. I think every city has one or some which we do not know and maybe your area also has a very famous folktale, a story?

Kasid:From childhood, we have heard stories about Anush and Murit. It's a love story. And besides that, we have heard about Sassi Punnhun. It's another love story. We have heard about that. And besides Sassi Punnhum, Punnhun is basically from Turbat. And it was considered that he was a prince of Turbat. And he also had a fort, which we call Miri Fort.

Hira: Ok. I think there is a fort called Rani Fort. Is it the same fort or is it another fort?

Kasid:No, no, it's called Adegeri Rani Fort. It's different.

Hira: Ok. This story Sassi Punnhun.Tell me a little about the background of the story of Sassi Punnhun. How is it linked to your culture? I understand that Punnhun belongs to your area. But is it a folktale? I mean have you seen live proof, as you know artefacts exist or anything like that which you have seen.

Kasid: If we talk about the authenticity of Sassi Punnhun, one thing is that Punnhun is a tribe in Makran called Huth. It’s authenticity links from there. The second thing is that there is also a fort called Miri Fort. It was the residence of Punnhun. And if we talk about Sassi, Sassi was from Sindh. She was related to Bambur, an area in Sindh.

Hira: Ok. Can you tell me if you have any favourite folk tales? Which you liked as a child.

You know when you are listening to a story, you find it very interesting, you want to explore it and it becomes your favourite story.

Kasid: In my childhood, my grandmothers would tell this story, there were three sisters and there was Mushtiq, Waniq and another character in it, they told me that. I can't remember it correctly, but I liked it very much.

Hira: So tell me about some story. What was the story about?

Kasid: The story was basically about poverty. Three sisters were abandoned by their father. There was a rivalry between the three sisters. One sister became rich and the other was poor.

Hira: Ok. Tell me about the artefacts there. I've heard there is a lot of poetry there. Were there any other things that are different from other cultures? Maybe we haven't seen any such thing. Can you tell us about it?

Kasid: I have noted two things. One thing is that the women mostly make their own clothes. Everything is handmade, design and all other things, they do it themselves. Before this, I told you the story of Sassi Punnhun, at Sassi Punnhun Fort in the 19th something there was an excavation. So from there, things like big shalwar were excavated.

Hira: Ok. Tell me what kind of weather is it most of the time

Kasid: In Turbat the weather is very hot. I remember in 2017 or 2016, in July the temperature was 50 plus.

Hira: Ok. How is life there? What is the difference? If we talk about metropolitan cities, life is moving. There are crowds and malls and all the necessities are available. Different things like recreational things are available. So how is life there? Elaborate it. Of Course, I think urbanization is everywhere now, and cafes have opened in different places. But some specific areas are always left out. Life there is different, agricultural life is present. Tell me all this in detail.

Kasid:The distinct thing about Turbat is that it has a lot of date palms. Agriculture does not support that place much. Other than that, if we talk about Turbat, it is not very backward. It is the second most developed city in Balochistan. So the lifestyle there is quite similar to life in Quetta.

Hira: Okay. There is one thing that I hear a lot that Punjabi people cannot go there. There are some army scenes too. You know that every area has a political story. So if you want to highlight a story like this, give us a background.

Kasid: Talking about political events, there is a group which talks about the separation of Balochistan. It should be separated from Pakistan. We also call it Sarmachar. They are called Baloch militants. Other than that, before this, Punjabi people used to live in Turbat and Makran regions. They used to live there. But in 2006, when Akbar Bukti was killed, the situation became very bad. Specifically, if we talk about Turbat and Makran, there was a mass genocide of Punjabi people which started. It was after 2006. After that, Punjabi people who lived in Turbat came back to Punjab or other areas where they used to live. Other than that, I think the insecurity of Punjabi people is limited to the Makran region. Other than that, I think they can go to Quetta region and other nearby areas which are Punjabi. There is no such life-threatening situation for them.

Hira: Ok. Tell me, other than Makrani, which language do you speak? Do you speak any other language than Urdu, English or Makran?

Kasid: The people of Turbat mostly speak Balochi. Other than that I don't think any other language is spoken in Makran, Gwadar, Turbat or Panjoor. Other than that, the person who lives in Quetta knows multiple languages. Apart from Urdu, anyone who lives in Quetta knows these languages, Baluchi, Bravi, and Pashto. Even though I have lived in Quetta for a long time I don't know.

Hira: Ok. If we talk about Gwadar port, I think there are a lot of Chinese people working there, so what is the impact of this on the lives of local people?

Kasid:When the Chinese came to Gwadar, there was a resettlement. Many of the residents of Gwadar were shifted to other areas. There was one protest by the people of Gwadar. Other than that, Chinese development is still restricted to the port. It hasn't come out yet. I think the project is too long and it's in the initial stages. That's why the development is not in Gwadar.

Hira: Ok. Can you tell us a famous line or famous quote from your language?

Kasid:I don't think I can think of a saying or a word like this. If we talk about poetry, the poetry of different people from different areas of Balochistan is famous. For example, there is Mubarak Kazi in Pasini. Apart from that, there is Syed Ashmi in Turbat. His poetry is very famous. And a place near Quetta called Nushki, there are very famous poetries of Gul Khan Naseer, which is famous throughout Balochistan.

Hina: Do you know any poetry that you remember you can read to us?

Kasid:I don't know much about poetry. Aside from this, there is a poet Mumtaz Yousufi. He says in his poetry.

If I translate it,

Don't enclose us in the grave

Let our ashes be flown in the river of Ganga.

Hira: Ok. Tell me, what do you think, how did your language shape your identity? Because I think you use a different language at home, you talk differently in your university. If you have another Baloch student, you will talk to him in that language. So, I want to know how you think your language shaped you.

Kasid: When you talk in Balochi, it shapes your personality to a great extent. When you are a Balochi and you are talking to someone else, that person keeps some expectations from you which are attached to your values. When you are talking to someone, there is a certain moral code like how do you talk with the other person. There is hospitality that they are very hospitable. When you do Balochi, it reflects your personality and culture. These things are linked with the language.

Hira: That's right. Ok. Tell me how does your language reflect on your culture and community?

Kasid: If we discuss values, the question is, when you are Baloch, irrespective of whether you are from Turbat or Quetta or any other area of Balochistan, there is a factor of hospitality that I think other Baloch people expect from you. When people from KPK, Sindh or Punjab come to your area, you have to reflect on the hospitality. So, it is very important to treat them with respect. These things have quite an importance.

Hira: Right. Ok. Now tell me, you have brought Bikrani, which is your mother tongue. Is this your first language, or did you learn it at home, or did you learn it somewhere else?

Kasid: If we are talking about language, a lot of people from Makran speak Balochi. It's also possible that people don't know Urdu or English, but they speak Baloch. If you speak about me, I learned Baloch from home, from Baloch people. It's my first language. I learned Urdu and English from school and college.

Hira: Okay. So, what are the other regional variations of your language?

Kasid: If we talk about the dialects of Balochi, I think that there are three dialects or maybe there can be more. One is Makrani spoken in the Makran region, one is Rakshan which is spoken by people of a specific district, and one is Sulaimani Balochi which is spoken by people of Dera Bhugti, Kholo etc.

Hira: Ok. Do you think that in the coming years, the value of the Balochi language will decrease or people will drop it’s use? Because you know that in jobs English has become compulsory for you. Urdu is a language that you can communicate with everyone in your country. So, what do you think about this? Do you feel this way? Because you were telling me in the beginning that your language is not taught in schools. You are just learning this language in your home.

Kasid: When we talk about the Balochi language, I think that poetry is very trending. Among the people of Balochistan, the poetry of the famous poets is still heard and is used in music. For example, Gulqan Nasir, Atasha, Syed Ashmi, Mubarak Qazi. People still read and also hear them.

Hira: What do you think the regional language should also be taught and it should have the same value as the other languages? English is given a lot of value in our society, but if you say that we also read Urdu, what do you think? Do you think we should promote our regional language in the same way?

Kasid: When it comes to the language, I think the regional languages are not taught in schools. But they should be promoted. But the problem is that our education system in Balochistan is not that strong. So that's one factor. Apart from that, if I am speaking Balochi I can speak Balochi, but I can't write Balochi. I don't know how to write Balochi. So it should be promoted, the Balochi language. Apart from that, not only Balochi but also your Bravi language, Pashto is present in Balochistan. It should be taught according to the region.

Hira: Do your parents know how to write Balochi language?

Kasid: When it comes to language, about writing, my parents know how to write Balochi. But it's like self-interest. Which you learn yourself. Apart from that, academia and educational institutions don't teach you Balochi.

Hira: Tell me, let's take this interview to the end. And I have a question for you. I want to know your opinion. In your life ahead. You will meet many people. For example, you have friends. You will have a family and your generation. Do you think you will take this language forward?

Kasid: If I talk about the Balochi language. Yes, I want to promote it. And I will do as much as I can. I will not only restrict it to the Turbat or Makran region. Or to Balochistan. I want the whole of Pakistan to know about it. That what is Balochi. And what are its roots?

Hira: Right. My own opinion is that you should have an idea about the most spoken languages in your country even though you do not know how to speak them. And I hope that you succeed in your mission. We will end the interview and it is my wish that you can sing us any lyric or any line of song in Balochi. If you know any, can you just read it? You can do it orally.

Kasid:I haven't heard any such songs but I can suggest that you listen to songs of Arif Baloch, and Shah Jahan Daudi. Through them, you will learn about different instruments and you also get to know about different poets. Authentic poetry is mostly used in our music. So you can listen to them.

Hira: Thank you so much Kasid and I'm very happy to have conducted this interview with you. I feel like I explored a whole culture while sitting here and I think every place has its uniqueness and we should not feel like it doesn't exist. Everything and every language has its value. All the things you said were linked to your language and culture. Have a great day ahead and thank you so much for this interview.

Kasid: My pleasure.

Hira: Allah hafiz and take care.

Kasid: Allah hafiz.