Parveen Shakir PP (1952-1994) was a renowned Pakistani poet, teacher and a civil servant. She is widely celebrated for her lyrical style and delicate expression in both poetry and prose, she is considered as one the most influential voices in Urdu
literature. She has written a lot of great work even using her pen name “Beena”. Shakir infused her poetry with the theme of love, identity, feminism and the nuanced struggle of modern womanhood.
Early life and Education
Parveen Shakir was born on 24 November, 1952 Karachi, Pakistan. Her father, Shakir Hussain Saqib, was also a poet from Laheriasaria in the Darbhanga district of Bihar, who had migrated to Karachi after the partition of the Sub-Continent.
Shakir’s mother, Afzal-un-nisa perhaps, was a traditional housewife.
Beena received two undergraduate degrees, one in English Literature and the other was in linguistics (from Sir Syed Girls College, Karachi). Later on, she’d done an MA in the same subjects from the University of Karachi and a PHD.
She also held another MA in Bank Administration.
In 1982, Parveen Shakir qualified for the Central Superior Services (CSS)
Examination. In 1998, she obtained an MA in Public Administration from Harvard
University.
Literary career
Shakir has started writing from a very young age. She wrote both, prose and poetry and had also contributed some columns in Urdu newspaper and in English dailies, under using her pen name “Beena”.
In 1976, Shakir published her first volume of poetry Khushbu (Fragrance) on which she was awarded with one of the highest honours of Pakistan “Pride of Performance” for her outstanding contribution in Urdu literature. She
subsequently published her other works Sad-bag (Marsh Marigold) in 1980, khud kalami (Soliloquy) and Inkar (Denial) in 1990. These poetry books are collected in mah-e- Tamam(Full moon). She also published some newspaper paper
columns of her titled, Gosha-e-Chashman (Corner of the eye) and Kaf-e-Aina (The Mirrors edge) posthumously along with other works from her diary and journals.
Poetic theme and contributions
Parveen Shakir wrote in two main styles Ghazals and Azad nazm (Free verse) where she utilized several literary techniques and examined the delicate topic to create a full image of feminine experience. She courageously introduced the female in the male- dominated literary form. Shakir’s use of idiomatic language, natural imagery and candid emotion gave her
work rare authenticity making them relatable to a wide readership.
Personal and Professional life
In 1976, Shakir married her cousin Dr. Syed Naseer Ali. She had a son, Syed Murad Ali, with him, though the marriage later ended in divorce.
In her professional life after working nine years as a teacher, in October 1982 she joined civil services where she worked in the customs department. In 1986, she was appointed as second secretary of the Central Board of Revenue (Now, Federal board of revenue) in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Comparison and Contemporaries
Parveen shakir was often compared with the contemporary female poets, Ada Jaffri and Khiswar Naheed , Beena always craved her own space with her own style.While the voice for female struggles was raised by many others but Shakir Sahiba stand out in them with her unique and bold style, creating a bridge in traditional ghazal poetry and modern feminist discourse.
Death
On 26 December 1994, Parveen Shakir’s car collided with a heavy truck. She was on her way to work in the city of Islamabad. The accident resulted in her death. Her resting place lies in H-8 cemetery, Islamabad, Pakistan, which has become a site of homage for the admirers of Urdu poetry.
The road in which the accident took place is named after her as Parveen Shakir Road in F-7 Islamabad.
Legacy and impact
Shakir’s poetry was well-received, and after her death she is now considered one of the best and “most prominent” modern poets Urdu language has ever produced. She is regarded as a “great poetess,” her poetry has drawn comparisons to many
others , that of Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad , and she is considered one of the most important literary figure “regarded as settler in disobeying tradition by expressing the thoughts and expressions of the female experiences in Urdu poetry.
Since her death at a young age, “Parveen Shakir Urdu literature festival” has been held every year in Islamabad in the memory of this great poetess.
In 2013, Pakistan’s post office issued a commemorative postage stamp for rupees 10 denomination to honor Shakir on the 19th anniversary of her death.
Global Relevance
Parveen Shakir remains as a symbol of courage, sensitivity and literary brilliance. She has opened the door for many female poets to express their emotions in their poetry without any fear. Today her work continues to resonate worldwide with
translations in many languages, introducing her poetry to non- urdu speakers. Universities and literary circles include her work in modern feminism and South Asian literature.
Published Books
Here’s a list of the published work of Parveen Shakir.
Volumes of Poetry
- “Khushbu” (1976) – Fragrance
- “Sad-barg” (1980) – Rosa Centifolia
- “Khud-kalaami” (1990) – Soliloquy
- “Inkaar” (1990) – Denial
- “Maah-e-Tamaam” (1994) – Full Moon (Compilation of the books above)
- “Kaf-e-Aa’ina” – The Mirror’s Edge
Prose
- “Gosha-e-Chashm” – Corner of the eye
