Renowned Urdu author Bano Qudsia passes away

LAHORE: Renowned Urdu novelist and playwright Bano Qudsia passed away on Saturday aged 88.

The renowned playwright authored various novels, television and stage plays in Urdu and Punjabi, including the famed Raja Gidh and Haasil Ghaat.

Qudsia shot to fame in the literary circles with her famous novels Amar Bail and Mom Ki Galiyan. She was the widow of acclaimed Urdu author Ashfaq Ahmed.

Bano Qudsia was born in Ferozpur, Punjab, on November 28, 1928. She migrated to Lahore with her family during partition of the subcontinent. Her father, a landlord, died when she was quite young.

She went to a dharamsala in eastern India for her early education. Since her mother was an educationist it encouraged Bano to complete her higher education. She enrolled in Kinnaird College for her Bachelors and then completed her MA in Urdu from the Government College Lahore in 1951.

Qudsia became a trendsetter in the realm of television plays due to thought provoking sentiments. She highlighted the struggles and socio-economic issues faced by women in her serials and these also enabled her to become a known figure across borders.

She was conferred with the Graduate Award for Best Playwright in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990. In 1986, she was also given the Taj Award for Best Playwright. Her most famous plays include Tamasil, Hawa ke Naam, Seharay and Khaleej.

The Government of Pakistan also recognised her contributions to her field and she was bestowed with Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2003 and the Hilal-e-Imtiaz in 2010. Pakistan Academy of Letters honoured the renowned author by awarding her with Kamal-e-Fun Award in 2010.

Some of her other works include Aatish Zeir Pa, Adhi Baat, Aik Din, Assey Passey, Bazgasht, Chahar Chaman, Dast Basta, Dosra Darwaza, Dusra Qadam, Foot Path Ki Ghaas, Kuch Aur Nahi, Marde Abresham, Naqabil-e-Zikr, Piya Naam Ka Diya and Saman-e-Wajood.

Also see: Geo Pakistan pays tribute to Bano Qudsia