Zaitoon Bano

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Zaitoon Bano
Native name
زیتون بانو
Born(1938-06-18)18 June 1938
Sufaid Dheri, Peshawar, Pakistan
Died14 September 2021(2021-09-14) (aged 83)
Peshawar, Pakistan[1]
Occupation
  • Writer
  • Poet
  • Women's rights activist
LanguagePashto, Urdu
EducationUrdu and Pashto
Master's
Alma materIslamia College University
GenrePlays, Short stories, Novels
SubjectPolitics, Social, Literature
Years active1958–2021
Notable awardsPride of Performance
SpouseTaj Saeed[a]
ParentsPir Syed Sultan Mahmood Shah (father)
RelativesPir Syed Abdul Qudus Tundar (grandfather)

Zaitoon Bano (18 June 1938 – 14 September 2021), also spelled Zaitun Banu, was a Pakistani poet, short story writer, novelist, broadcaster, and advocate of women's rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She primarily wrote in Pashto and Urdu languages. Sometimes, she was referred to as Khatun-e-Awal (the first lady) or "first lady of Pashto fiction", an honorary title awarded to her in recognition of her contribution to women's rights of Pashtuns. She wrote over twenty-four books, including her first short story titled Hindara (Mirror) which appears one of the prominent writings of Pashto language.[2][3][4]

She was born to Pir Syed Sultan Mahmood Shah in Sufaid Dheri village of Peshawar, Pakistan. She married Taj Saeed and was the granddaughter of Pir Syed Abdul Qudus Tundar, a Pashto poet.[5] She is sometimes referred to as the first Pashto literati to have addressed the social issues of Pashtun women through her writings.[6]

Education and background[edit]

Zaitoon received her primary schooling and matriculation from a city school, and later obtained a master's degree[2] from the Islamia College University[5] in Pashto and Urdu as a private student. After completing her education, she taught at various educational institutions, notably Peshawar Public School, and later joined Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation where she served as a producer.[2] Prior to debuting in writings, she was associated with the Radio Pakistan[7] and Pakistan Television Corporation, a state-owned Television channel.

Literary career[edit]

Bano began her career in 1958 when she was studying in ninth grade with her first short story titled Hindara (Mirror). Between 1958 and 2008, she wrote fiction books and short stories in Urdu and Pashto languages. Her publications include Maat Bangree, Khoboona (1958), Juandi Ghamoona (1958), Berge Arzoo (1980), and Waqt Kee Dehleez Par (1980). Among other publications she published short stories titled Da Shagu Mazal (A Journey Through Sands) written between 1958 and 2017. She wrote only one poetry collection in Pashto titled Manjeela (head cushion) which was published in 2006. Besides writing, she is also credited with having contributed to numerous radio and television plays.[8]

Work[edit]

Key
† Remarks denote a short description of the work where available.
# Title[5] Year Type/Credited as Remarks
1 Hindara (Miror) 1958 Short story —
2 Maat Bangree 1958 Short story —
3 Juandi Ghamoona 1958 Short story —
4 Sheesham Ka Pata 1978 Short story —
5 Bargad Ka Saiya 1978 Short story —
6 Berge Arzoo 1980 Novel It was later broadcast as an Urdu serial on Pakistan Television under the title Dhool.
7 Waqt Kee Dehleez[9] 1980 Short story —
8 Khoboona 1986 Short story Later released as a play in 1991
9 Kachkol 1991 Play —
10 Zama Dairy — Book —
11 Naizurray — Book —
12 Da Shagu Mazal (A journey through sands) — Book It covers the social issues of the Pakhtun women
13 Manjeela (head cushion) — Poem —

Death[edit]

She died on 14 September 2021 at the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan following her chronic condition.[1][10][11]

Awards and accolades[edit]

Zaitoon was awarded fifteen national literary awards including the Pride of Performance[8] and Fakhr-i- Peshawar award in recognition of her contribution to Pashto and Urdu fiction.[2][12] In 2016, a panel of the Sustainable Development Goals, awarded her an honorary title Khatun-e-Awal (first lady) or "first lady of Pashto fiction" during the International Women’s Day celebration in recognition of her service to the women's rights in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[13]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Pashto, Urdu prolific writer Zaitoon Bano passes away". Associated Press Of Pakistan. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Shinwari, Sher Alam (11 May 2019). "Zaitoon Bano, 'first lady of Pashto fiction', says women writers have more freedom than ever before". Images.
  3. ^ Report, Bureau (26 October 2016). "Zaitoon Bano a strong Pakhtun feminine voice". DAWN.COM.
  4. ^ "British Pukhtun Association arranges function". www.thenews.com.pk.
  5. ^ a b c "Tales of the times : The bold and the literary". tribune.com.pk. 9 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Pushto literature: The will to change". DAWN.COM. 29 August 2010.
  7. ^ "'Radio Pakistan has always promoted arts, culture of provinces' | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  8. ^ a b ""Pashtun women still need a strong voice" | Literati | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  9. ^ Bano, Zaitoon (26 June 1982). "Waqt Ki Dehleez". publisher not identified – via Google Books.
  10. ^ Report, Bureau (15 September 2021). "Fiction writer Zaitoon Bano dies at 83". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  11. ^ اردو, گلوبلی (14 September 2021). "پشتو اور اردو کی مشہور مصنفہ زیتون بانو انتقال کر گئیں". Urdu Globally. Urdu Globally. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  12. ^ Report, Bureau (19 April 2017). "Senior Pashto writer praised for bold expression". DAWN.COM.
  13. ^ "Zaitun Banu declared Khatun-e-Awal of Pashto fiction". www.thenews.com.pk.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ died in 2002. See Taj Saeed at Rekhta Foundation
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