PESHAWAR: The artists and literati have appreciated announcement of ‘Pride of Performance’ award for senior TV and radio artist and writer Bushra Farrukh on the occasion of 75th Independence Day of Pakistan.

The award will be conferred on the artist next year on March 23 for her illustrious contributions to performing art. Ms Farrukh is also a recipient of about 20 national and international awards and commendation certificates.

She has played lead roles in around 1,500 plays of Urdu, Hindko and Pashto. She enjoys the honour of being the first announcer of PTV Peshawar centre.

Born and bred in Peshawar, Bushra Farrukh has been contributing to performing art for the last 50 years as radio and TV artist. She has also been actively engaged in literary activities for the last more than two decades as she enjoyed mastery over Urdu, Hindko and Pashto.

She is author of a dozen books including poetry, fiction and travelogue. Most of her publications remained on the award winning list.

The associations of artists including Awaz, Women Artists Sky (WAK) and Hunari Tolana Welfare Society (HWS) and rights organisations have lauded the announcement of award for her.

The women literary organisations have also appreciated honouring the senior artist and writer whose literary services to three languages Urdu, Hindko and Pashto are commendable.

Talking to this scribe, Ms Farrukh said that the announcement in recognition of her contributions would encourage young artists to bring out their hidden talent. She added that KP women artists had great potential, which required support to display it out.

She presently heads Karwan-i-Hawa Literary Forum, a registered women organisation where budding poets and writers are groomed up and encouraged to play their due role in the society.

Prof Nasir Ali Syed said that Bushra Farrukh deserved the award because she had been contributing to art and literature for more than five decades.

He said that many young women were encouraged to perform on TV and radio looking at the work of Ms Farrukh.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2022