Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Rich tribute was paid to eminent poetess Parveen Shakir for her contribution to Urdu literature on her 22nd death anniversary here on Monday.

A group of poets, writers and scholars led by the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) Chairman, Prof Dr Muhammad Qasim Bughio, visited her graveyard and prayed for the departed soul of the late poetess Parveen Shakir on her death anniversary.

PAL Director General, Dr Rashid Hameed, Chairman Parveen Shakir Trust, Parveen Qadir, Agha, Syed Murad Ali son of Parveen Shakir, and relatives was also present on the occasion.

Prof Dr Muhammad Qasim Bughio lauded the literary contribution of the late poetess, adding that she still lives in the hearts and minds of the people and her literary contribution would long be remembered.

Parveen Shakir was born in 1952 and started writing at a very early age with her tag name Beena. It was in 1977 when the lady of love published her first collection of poetry called “Khushbu” (Fragrance) that came out like a fire cracker in the world of poetry.

Perveen Shakir gave a subtle combination of classical traditions and modern sensitivity to Urdu poetry and also became the first woman to use true feminism in a man-dominated Urdu poetry by using word “Larki” in her writings. Her collection is a reflection of feminine perspective on love, romance, aloofness, separation and intimacy. She was popular for her outspoken feminist thoughts and received the country’s highest honor the “Pride of Performance”.

This prominent name of poetry died in a road accident when she was heading to her work in Islamabad on December 26, 1994. With her ended the era of Parveen Shakir but she became the inspiration for many budding female poets who followed her path by depicting feminine perspective in their poetry.