ISLAMABAD: Nation paid rich tributes to eminent Urdu poetess Parveen Shakir for her valuable contributions to field of Urdu literature on her 28th death anniversary observed on December 26.

With her unique tone and expression, Parveen Shakir transformed expression of Urdu poetry and introduced new trends in Urdu poetry.

“Parveen Shakir was only poetess who proved her poetic skill and mastery over portraying all aspects of society with strong expression which distinguishes her from other poets of her era”, said Executive Director National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) Dr. Rashid Hameed while talking to APP here.

He said that Parveen Shakir was first poetess of Urdu literature who transcended traditional barriers of time and expressed herself with her own feminine identity at that time when most of poetesses of her era felt reluctance to show their identity keeping in view social acceptance factor.

Dr Rashid further said that before Parveen Shakir, most of poetesses were not disclosing their gender in their poetry expressing themselves as an individual, not as female.

Parveen Shakir emerged as trendsetter in field of poetry transcending traditional societal barriers. She gave confidence to poetesses of her era to come up with their own identities and also reflected feelings of women through her poetry, he added.

Her poetry was not merely progressive but she stood at par with her male counterparts in terms of her expression in poetic art and giving voice to females, he said.

“It was astonishing for everyone how she crossed and transcended societal barriers and added fresh poetry into Urdu literature”, he observed.

Terming death of great poetess as great loss for Urdu literature Dr Rashid said that Parveen Shakir made extraordinary contributions to Urdu literature and history of Urdu poetry will not be complete without poetic contribution of Parveen Shakir. Her other books include Mah-e-Tamam, Sad-Barg, Khud Kalaami, Kaf-e-Aina, and Inkar.

In 1990, Parveen Shakir was awarded ‘Pride of Performance’. She was also awarded ‘Adamjee Award’ in 1976. Parveen Shakir lost her life on December 26, 1994 at age of 42 in deadly car accident in Islamabad.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 27 2022

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