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Google Doodle celebrates Bano Qudsia

Google Doodle celebrates Bano Qudsia

Today would’ve been the prolific novelist’s 92nd birthday
28 Nov, 2020

Today’s Google Doodle is honouring the life and legacy of Pakistani novelist and stage and television playwright Bano Qudsia, affectionately known as Bano Aapa.

She is widely credited as one of the most significant Urdu language authors in modern times.

Renowned for her message of love and hope, Qudsia earned enormous acclaim for Urdu classics like her television play Aadhi Baat (1968) and novel Raja Gidh (1981).

Qudsia was born on this day in 1928 in Firozpur, British India (now India), and began to write short stories when she was a child.

Following a move to nearby Lahore, Pakistan after the partition of the Indian subcontinent, she earned her master’s degree in Urdu. While in school, she also met her future husband and fellow luminary of Urdu literature Ashfaq Ahmad.

During a fertile era of Pakistani literature, Qudsia’s thought-provoking television plays earned her a reputation as a cultural trendsetter.

In addition, she wrote a prolific 25 novels and founded her own magazine called Dastango.

Even as her legend grew throughout her six-decade career, she maintained a reputation for her radical acceptance and kindness, known to embrace those from all walks of life who approached her for mentorship or assistance.

For her lifetime of literary achievements, Qudsia received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) in 1983 and the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) in 2000—both among Pakistan’s highest civilian honors.

Happy birthday, Bano Qudsia! Your contributions to Pakistani literature and entertainment will continue to resonate for generations to come!

Comments

Nick, NY Nov 28, 2020 05:23pm
Nice Doodle!
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Akhter Nov 28, 2020 06:17pm
Indeed, she was a great story teller!
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Ishant Nov 28, 2020 06:30pm
World needs more iron ladies.
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Asad Nov 28, 2020 07:22pm
Amazing human. Among many other great traits, she was a very good wife as well, and always promoted Eastern values. One of her advice to young girls was to spend more time at your husband's place rather than keep going back to your parents home very regularly. This, in her view, never lets you permanently settle in your husband's house. Unfortunately, after the death of her husband, she spent her latter life in very limited finances. This was evident in one of TV shows, I think it was Aik Din Geo K sath. There should be some govt pension or support for such great writers and artists, rather than leaving all funds and pensions to just military personnel.
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Mir Nov 29, 2020 12:52am
Bano Qudsia and Ashfaq Ahmed were great writers; they provided intellectual growth and entertainment for people of all ages!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Nov 29, 2020 11:25am
Thankyou Google.
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