Bano Qudsia: Google pays tribute to legendary writer on her birthday

Veteran writer and novelist Bano Qudsia is being remembered on her 92nd birthday on Saturday.

From writing novels to short stories (afsaaney), her content was highly liked across Pakistan. Her popularity can be seen from the fact that Google paid tribute to the lady with a unique Doodle.

She is best known for her novel Raja Gidh. Qudsia wrote for television and stage in both Urdu and Punjabi languages. Bano Qudsia is recognized as a trendsetter in the realm of television plays, novels, and stage plays.

Bano Qudsia was born on 28 November 1928 in Firozpur, British India. She began writing stories at an early age and then moved to Lahore after the partition. In 1951, she completed her M.A. degree in Urdu from the Government College Lahore. She wrote for college magazines and other journals. She graduated from Kinnaird College in Lahore.

Bano Qudsia’s critically acclaimed play Aadhi Baat was about a retired headmaster. The play examined the headmaster’s day-to-day life problems and had Qavi Khan acting as the lead character. The play’s director was Agha Nasir and it was produced by Tauqeer Nasir.

Aadhi Baat performed in May 2010 in Islamabad at a three-day event organized by the Pakistan National Council of the Arts. Bano Qusia also wrote a book about Qudrat Ullah Shahab (prominent Urdu literature writer) titled “Mard-e-Abresham” “مردِابریشم”.

The book mainly portrays Shahab’s life and how it connected with Ashfaq Ahmed and his family both on a social and spiritual level.

Some of her famous stories include Raja Gidh, Aatish-i-Zer-i-Paa, Aik Din, Amer Bail, Asay Pasay, Chahar Chaman, Chotaa Sheher Baray Log, Footpath ki Ghaas, Haasil Ghaat, and Hawa Kay Naam.
Bano Qudsia knew how to take the readers into an imaginary world by writing thought-provoking novels and stories. She won Life Time Achievement Awards, Kamal-e-Fun Award, Best Playwright Award, Taj Award, Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and Hilal-i-Imtiaz.

Bano had married a famous writer Ashfaq Ahmed. The couple was known for their grace and loving bonding.

Unfortunately, she passed away on February 4, 2017, in Lahore. But, her books are still liked by Urdu literature lovers.