26th death anniversary of renowned poetess Parveen Shakir

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Tuesday marks the 26th death anniversary of renowned Pakistani poetess Parveen Shakir whose soulful and poignant poetry has left an imprint on thousands of people residing in the sub-continent.

Her poetry pulled the heart strings of many, who were devastated when she left the world in a tragic car accident on December 26 1994. The road on which the accident took place in Islamabad was named after her.

Parveen Shakir became an acclaimed poet with her first published collection Khushbu in 1976. She subsequently published other volumes of poetry, all well-received: Sad-barg (Marsh Marigold) in 1980, Khud Kalami (Talking To Oneself) and Inkaar (Denial) in 1990, Kaf-e-Aina (The Mirror’s Edge) besides a collection of her newspaper columns, titled Gosha-e-Chashm (Corner of the Eye).

Her poetry was said to powerfully and defiantly voice the deeply suppressed emotions of women living in a society dominated by men and their rules.

Shakir was awarded one of Pakistan’s highest honours, the Pride of Performance for her outstanding contribution to literature in 1976.

Parveen started writing at a young age, penning both prose and poetry, and contributing columns in Urdu newspapers, and a few articles in English dailies. She initially wrote under the pen-name, Beena.

Shakir held two master’s degrees, one in English Literature and one in Linguistics. along with several other degrees including a master’s degree in Bank Administration. She also had a MA degree in Public Administration from Harvard University America.

She was a teacher for nine years before she joined the Civil Service and worked in the Customs Department. In 1986 she was appointed the second secretary, Federal Bureau of Revenue in Islamabad.

Till this day, her verses are remembered and recited by established and aspiring poets.

The Government of Pakistan also remembered the poetess on her death anniversary.

On her death anniversary, Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt paid a beautiful heartfelt tribute to the legendary writer in a series of posts on Twitter in which she shared verses from her poetry.

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