Bano Qudsia: Google Doodle celebrates Pakistani novelist’s 92nd birthday

Google Doodle celebrates the 92nd birthday of Pakistani novelist Bano Qudsia (بانو قدسیہ), also known as Bano Aapa, on November 28, 2020.

Who was Bano Qudsia (بانو قدسیہ)?

Bano Qudsia was born as Qudsia Chattha (قدسیہ چٹھہ) on 28 November 1928 in Firozpur, British India (presently India). She was a Pakistani novelist, playwright, and spiritualist. She composed literature in Urdu, producing novels, dramas plays, and short stories.

Bano Qudsia is best perceived for her novel Raja Gidh (The Vulture King, 1981). Qudsia likewise composed for TV and stage in both Urdu and Punjabi languages. Her play Aadhi Baat (Half Talk, 1968) has been designated “a classic play”.

Bano Qudsia relocated to Lahore with her family after the partition of India and had started writing short stories while studying in class 5. She graduated from the Kinnaird College in Lahore and afterward joined the Government College University (Lahore) (GCU) to do her master’s in Urdu literature which she finished in 1951.

Qudsia’s novel Haasil Ghaat was published in 2005 and was noted for its diction yet additionally reprimanded then for utilizations of English slang than her standard traditional Urdu story.

Bano Qudsia (بانو قدسیہ) credits Ahmed for changing her after their marriage and eventually permitting her to give to her writing. Qudsia’s novel Raah-e-Rawaan (راہ ِرواں) was published in 2011.

Bano Qudsia likewise composed a book about Qudrat Ullah Shahab named “Mard-e-Abresham” (“مردِابریشم”).

Qudsia’s novel Raja Gidh (The King Vulture, 1981) is viewed as a modern Urdu classic. Among her, more prominent writings are Aatish-i-zer-i-paa, Aik Din, Asay Pasay, Chahar Chaman, Chhotaa Sheher Baray Log, Footpath ki Ghaas, Haasil Ghaat, and Hawa Kay Naam. The most notable plays she wrote incorporate Tamasil, Hawa Ke Naam, Seharay, and Khaleej.

In 1983, Qudsia was awarded the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by the Government of Pakistan. In 2010, the Pakistani government awarded her the Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) for her services in literature. The two awards are among Pakistan’s highest civilian honors.

In 2012, the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) awarded Qudsia the Kamal-e-Fun Award, which is a lifetime achievement award.

In 2016, the GCU’s Old Ravians Union (GCU-ORU) at its annual reunion gave her a lifetime achievement award. The same year, the Pakistan Life Care Foundation (PLCF) likewise awarded the lifetime achievement award to Bano Qudsia.

Bano Qudsia (بانو قدسیہ) died on 4 February 2017 at 88 years old at the Ittefaq Hospital in Lahore.

On 28 November 2020, Google honors the life and legacy of Qudsia with Google Doodle “Bano Qudsia’s 92nd Birthday”.