Legendary poetess Parveen Shakir remembered on her death anniversary today

Veteran Urdu poetess Parveen Shakir is being remembered on her death anniversary today. 

Parveen Shakir was one of the popular female poets who became a pioneer of setting standards by showing the “female experience” in Urdu poetry. Her poetry reflected a feminine perspective on love, romance, aloofness, separation, and intimacy.

She was born on 24 November 1952 in Karachi. She was known as was the ‘Commuter of Fragrance’. 

She achieved three Masters’ degrees in English Literature, Linguistics, and Bank Management, and a Ph.D. in Bank Administration.

 She employed mainly two forms of poetry in her work – ghazal and free verses. Her poetry is a subtle and beautiful combination of classical traditions and modern sensitivity.

Moreover, Shakir was the first female poetess who expressed the emotions and feelings of a young girl realistically. Spontaneity in expression was the hallmark of her poetry that mesmerized the young lot especially girls.

Her prominent work is based on feminism, romanticism, and social stigmas. It won’t be wrong if we say that she was the first woman poet, who used the word ‘larki’ in her writings in a man dominated Urdu poetry.

Sadly, Shakir’s car collided with a bus while she was on her way to work in Islamabad on December 26, 1994. She died due to the terrible accident, leaving all poetry lovers in grief. The road on which the accident took place is named after her as Parveen Shakir Road.