Shabnam Shakeel (Urdu: شبنم شکیل ALA-LC: S̱ẖabnam S̱ẖakīl IPA: [ʃəbnəm ʃəkiːl]; 12 March 1942 – 2 March 2013) was a Pakistani poet, writer, and academician. Shabnam spent her early life in Lahore, Pakistan, and received a master's degree in Urdu literature. During her career, she worked as a lecturer at several colleges in Pakistan. Her first book Tanqeedi Mazameen, was published in 1965.[1] She won numerous awards, honours and titles for her contributions to Urdu literature including the prestigious presidents' Pride of Performance award in 2005.[1]

Shabnam Shakeel
Born(1942-03-12)12 March 1942
Lahore, Pakistan
Died2 March 2013(2013-03-02) (aged 70)
NationalityPakistani
Occupation(s)Academician, poet

Biography

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Shabnam was born on 12 March 1942 in Lahore, Pakistan. Her father Syed Abid Ali Abid was a poet and academician and thus she was given the opportunity to grow up in a literary environment and was exposed to notable people such as Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum and Faiz Ahmad Faiz.[2] She was a student at Kinnaird College and graduated from Islamia College, both in Lahore. She received a Master of Arts degree in Urdu literature from Oriental College, Lahore.[1]

After finishing her studies, she joined Queen's Mary College, Lahore as a professor of Urdu language and literature. For the next 30 years, she worked as a teacher at different colleges in Pakistan such as Lahore College for Women University, Government Girls College, Quetta, and Federal Government College F-7/2 in Islamabad.[1]

In 1967, she married Syed Shakeel Ahmad who was a civil servant. The couple had two sons, Waqar Hasnain Ahmad and Jehanzeb Ahmad, and one daughter Malahat Awan.[1]

Shabnam died on 2 March 2013 in Karachi. Her Namaz-e-Janaza was offered in F-11 Graveyard in Islamabad on March 3.[1]

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf gave his condolences to the family in a message expressing his grief over her death.[1]

Literary works

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Her first book, Tanqeedi Mazameen was published in 1965. Some of her other published poetry collections were Shabzaad (1987), Izteraab (1994), Taqreeb Kuch Tau (2003) and Musafat Raigan Thi (2008).[1]

Bibliography

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  • Tanqeedi Mazameen, 1965, Classic Publishers, Lahore
  • Shabzad (Poetic Collection), 1987, Maavra Publishers Lahore[3]
  • Iztaraab (Poetic Collection), 1994, Sangemeel Publishers, Lahore
  • Taqreeb Kuch Tau (Critics/penpictures of personalities), 2003, Sangemeel Publishers, Lahore
  • Na Qafas Na Ashiana (Short Stories), 2004, Sangemeel Publishers, Lahore
  • Musafat Raigan The (Poetic Collection), Sangemeel Publishers, Lahore[3]
  • Khawateen ki Shaaeeri (1947 to 2002) aur Muasharay par iskay asarat (sponsored by M/O Women Development)
  • Hasrat Mohani Ka Taghazzul (in press)

Awards

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The following is a list of awards bestowed upon Shabnam during her literary career:

  • President's Pride of Performance Award, 2005[1]
  • Awards of Recognition – Hamdard Foundation, 1994
  • Bolan Award (Shabzad – Poetic Collection), 1988
  • Govt. of Baluchistan's Award for Country's Prominent Women
  • Shabnam Shakeel ki Shakhsiat aur Shaairy (Research Paper) by Mubashira Nasreen, Urdu Department, N.U.M.L. (2000)
  • Various awards by prominent social and literary organizations of Pakistan
  • Life Member, Pakistan Academy of Letters
  • Member PTV Censor Board Channel 3
  • Member scholarships committee, Pakistan Academy of Letters
  • Member Punjab Public Library Board, Lahore
  • Member Jury (Award) Radio Pakistan, PTVC Perveen Shakir Trust & Academy of Letters Hijra Awards
  • Bhaha-ud-Din Zakriya University Multan's research paper: Shabnam Shakeel ki shakhsiat aur funn (M.Phil.)
  • Lahore University of Management Sciences has included her poetry in its management sciences BSc honors course.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Shabnam Shakeel passes away". Dawn newspaper. March 3, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "Habitual vision of greatness – Shabnam Shakeel". Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  3. ^ a b http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/04-Mar-2013/poetess-shabnam-laid-to-rest, The Nation newspaper, Published March 4, 2013, Retrieved January 22, 2017