BANO QUDSIA
Dramatist-Novelist, her real name is
Qudsia Bano.
She was born on 28 Nov-1928 in Ferozepur.
Did M.A. (Urdu Adab) from Punjab University in 1950.
Got married to Ashfaq Ahmed in 1956.
The couple..highly inclined towards promotion of
Urdu literature...ventured upon publishing
the famous journal "Dastaan Go" which was
widely read and did well for a decade+
BANO QUDSIA soon became the leading drama writer
for Radio Pakistan-Lahore where some of the ever
memorable plays..are still remembered by people
of the age--and era...most fondly.
27 Nov-1964 saw TV telecast made its way
to people's homes....and so did baloon
the popularity of both; Bano Qudsia and Ashfaq Ahmed
who wrote some classic long plays, serials and series
which are as infectious today also.
Major journals, magazines, booklets, books and
weekly, monthly URDU ADAB issues always
carried Bano Qudsia's dramas and segments
of her novels...which were popular and one
major reason for the success of such publications.
Some of Bano Aunty's works are;
NOVELS;
"AIK DIN" - "PARWAH" - "SHEHR-e-BE MISAAL"
"MOUM KI GALLIYAAN" - "CHH'HARR CHAMAN" - *"RAJA GIDH"*
SHORT STORIES (AFSANVI MAJMOOAY);
"NAQABIL-e-ZIKR" - "BAAZGASHHT" - "AMAR BEYL"
"KUCCH AUR NAHIN" - "AATISH ZEIRPA"
DRAMA;
"AADHI BAAT" - "DOOSRA QADDAM" - "HAWA KE NAAM"
Bano Qudsia also wrote a tribute to the writings
of Qudratullah Shahab titled;
"MARD-e-AAB RESHAM"
The last few years of Ashfaq Ahmed saw his house
"DASTAAN SERAI" at Model Town, lahore
flocked with enthusiasts in the evening...
to hear some mystic and sufi tales
from Ashfaq Chacha...and he guided people
so wonderfully.....well supported by Bano Aunty
as his 'Noor Jehan" always besides him.
Bano Qudsia is the recipient of
President of Pakistan's Pride of Performance Gold Medal
and PTV's "Lifetime Achievement" award bestowed
upon her (rather late) inNov-2007 at the Convention
Centre-Islamabad by President of Pakistan.
The scribe of this note is privileged and honored to have been (and is) very close to the great and wondorous ASHFAQ AHMED & BANO QUDSIA...from my very early age...and it has been MY honor to write something on such aspired and inspired icons of Urdu Adab in Indo-Pak Subcontinent.
**