Zaitoon Bano (18 June 1938 – 14 September 2021), also spelled Zaitun Banu, was a Pakistani poet, short story writer, novelist, broadcaster, and advocate of women's rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She primarily wrote in Pashto and Urdu languages. Sometimes, she was referred to as Khatun-e-Awal (the first lady) or "first lady of Pashto fiction", an honorary title awarded to her in recognition of her contribution to women's rights of Pashtuns. She wrote over twenty-four books, including her first short story titled Hindara (Mirror) which appears one of the prominent writings of Pashto language.[2][3][4]
Zaitoon Bano | |
|---|---|
| Native name | زیتون بانو |
| Born | 18 June 1938 Sufaid Dheri, Peshawar, Pakistan |
| Died | 14 September 2021 (aged 83) Peshawar, Pakistan[1] |
| Occupation |
|
| Language | Pashto, Urdu |
| Education | Urdu and Pashto Master's |
| Alma mater | Islamia College University |
| Genre | Plays, Short stories, Novels |
| Subject | Politics, Social, Literature |
| Years active | 1958–2021 |
| Notable awards | Pride of Performance |
| Spouse | Taj Saeed[a] |
| Parents | Pir Syed Sultan Mahmood Shah (father) |
| Relatives | Pir Syed Abdul Qudus Tundar (grandfather) |
She was born to Pir Syed Sultan Mahmood Shah in Sufaid Dheri village of Peshawar, Pakistan. She married Taj Saeed and was the granddaughter of Pir Syed Abdul Qudus Tundar, a Pashto poet.[5] She is sometimes referred to as the first Pashto literati to have addressed the social issues of Pashtun women through her writings.[6]
Education and background
editZaitoon received her primary schooling and matriculation from a city school, and later obtained a master's degree[2] from the Islamia College University[5] in Pashto and Urdu as a private student. After completing her education, she taught at various educational institutions, notably Peshawar Public School, and later joined Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation where she served as a producer.[2] Prior to debuting in writings, she was associated with the Radio Pakistan[7] and Pakistan Television Corporation, a state-owned Television channel.
Literary career
editBano began her career in 1958 when she was studying in ninth grade with her first short story titled Hindara (Mirror). Between 1958 and 2008, she wrote fiction books and short stories in Urdu and Pashto languages. Her publications include Maat Bangree, Khoboona (1958), Juandi Ghamoona (1958), Berge Arzoo (1980), and Waqt Kee Dehleez Par (1980). Among other publications she published short stories titled Da Shagu Mazal (A Journey Through Sands) written between 1958 and 2017. She wrote only one poetry collection in Pashto titled Manjeela (head cushion) which was published in 2006. Besides writing, she is also credited with having contributed to numerous radio and television plays.[8]
Work
edit| † | Remarks denote a short description of the work where available. |
| # | Title[5] | Year | Type/Credited as | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hindara (Miror) | 1958 | Short story | — |
| 2 | Maat Bangree | 1958 | Short story | — |
| 3 | Juandi Ghamoona | 1958 | Short story | — |
| 4 | Sheesham Ka Pata | 1978 | Short story | — |
| 5 | Bargad Ka Saiya | 1978 | Short story | — |
| 6 | Berge Arzoo | 1980 | Novel | It was later broadcast as an Urdu serial on Pakistan Television under the title Dhool. |
| 7 | Waqt Kee Dehleez[9] | 1980 | Short story | — |
| 8 | Khoboona | 1986 | Short story | Later released as a play in 1991 |
| 9 | Kachkol | 1991 | Play | — |
| 10 | Zama Dairy | — | Book | — |
| 11 | Naizurray | — | Book | — |
| 12 | Da Shagu Mazal (A journey through sands) | — | Book | It covers the social issues of the Pakhtun women |
| 13 | Manjeela (head cushion) | — | Poem | — |
Death
editShe died on 14 September 2021 at the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan following her chronic condition.[1][10][11]
Awards and accolades
editZaitoon was awarded fifteen national literary awards including the Pride of Performance[8] and Fakhr-i- Peshawar award in recognition of her contribution to Pashto and Urdu fiction.[2][12] In 2016, a panel of the Sustainable Development Goals, awarded her an honorary title Khatun-e-Awal (first lady) or "first lady of Pashto fiction" during the International Women’s Day celebration in recognition of her service to the women's rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b "Pashto, Urdu prolific writer Zaitoon Bano passes away". Associated Press Of Pakistan. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d Shinwari, Sher Alam (11 May 2019). "Zaitoon Bano, 'first lady of Pashto fiction', says women writers have more freedom than ever before". Images.
- ^ Report, Bureau (26 October 2016). "Zaitoon Bano a strong Pakhtun feminine voice". DAWN.COM.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ "British Pukhtun Association arranges function". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ a b c "Tales of the times : The bold and the literary". tribune.com.pk. 9 March 2014.
- ^ "Pushto literature: The will to change". DAWN.COM. 29 August 2010.
- ^ "'Radio Pakistan has always promoted arts, culture of provinces' | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
- ^ a b ""Pashtun women still need a strong voice" | Literati | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ Bano, Zaitoon (26 June 1982). "Waqt Ki Dehleez". publisher not identified – via Google Books.
- ^ Report, Bureau (15 September 2021). "Fiction writer Zaitoon Bano dies at 83". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ اردو, گلوبلی (14 September 2021). "پشتو اور اردو کی مشہور مصنفہ زیتون بانو انتقال کر گئیں". Urdu Globally. Urdu Globally. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ^ Report, Bureau (19 April 2017). "Senior Pashto writer praised for bold expression". DAWN.COM.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ "Zaitun Banu declared Khatun-e-Awal of Pashto fiction". www.thenews.com.pk.
Notes
edit- ^ died in 2002. See Taj Saeed at Rekhta Foundation