Pakistani poetess and civil servant Parveen Shakir is an iconic literary figure that still lives on in hearts. The poetess redefined the tradition of Urdu poetry and created an everlasting legacy for herself.
Shakir started writing in her university years where she used to write under the pen name ‘Beena’. After that she graduated to writing poetry.
She produced five volumes of poetry that include Khushbu, Sad-barg, Khud Kalami, Inkaar and Kaf E Aina. She also has a volume of all her articles called Gosha e Chashm.
Her work as a poet has been described as romanticist poetry that deals with the questions of love, loneliness, aloofness and intimacy. Though her greatest feat was the inclusion of feminine syntax in Urdu poetry, a writing form that is dominated by masculine syntax. This redefinition of the way poetry is written by women is what won her critical acclaim.
Along with her literary activities, she was also a civil servant. She had taken the CSS exams after completing he MA in English from Karachi University. She started out in the Custom’s department and then moved on to the Federal Board of Revenue.
The poetess was honoured with a Pride of Performance award in 1976. The Pakistan Post also issued a stamp in her honour.
She died in Islamabad in a car crash in 1994. The road where she died was named after her.
Shakir started writing in her university years where she used to write under the pen name ‘Beena’. After that she graduated to writing poetry.
She produced five volumes of poetry that include Khushbu, Sad-barg, Khud Kalami, Inkaar and Kaf E Aina. She also has a volume of all her articles called Gosha e Chashm.
Her work as a poet has been described as romanticist poetry that deals with the questions of love, loneliness, aloofness and intimacy. Though her greatest feat was the inclusion of feminine syntax in Urdu poetry, a writing form that is dominated by masculine syntax. This redefinition of the way poetry is written by women is what won her critical acclaim.
Along with her literary activities, she was also a civil servant. She had taken the CSS exams after completing he MA in English from Karachi University. She started out in the Custom’s department and then moved on to the Federal Board of Revenue.
The poetess was honoured with a Pride of Performance award in 1976. The Pakistan Post also issued a stamp in her honour.
She died in Islamabad in a car crash in 1994. The road where she died was named after her.