Renowned Urdu novelist and playwright Fatima Surayya Bajia’s passing away marks the end of a remarkable era in modern drama. Who knew that a woman who was home-schooled for most of her early life, and did not earn a formal degree, would turn into the country’s most celebrated and inspirational writer.
Obituary
Renowned Urdu novelist and playwright Fatima Surayya Bajia’s passing away marks the end of a remarkable era in modern drama. Who knew that a woman who was home-schooled for most of her early life, and did not earn a formal degree, would turn into the country’s most celebrated and inspirational writer. At a time when Pakistani television became a victim to stringent, extremist policies, Bajia sketched characters that would defy societal norms and challenge mindsets. Some of her popular plays include Shama, Afshan, Aroosa, Aagahi, Ana and Zeenat that she wrote for PTV.
Her work and incredible talent led her to achieve a myriad of awards and honours including Pakistan’s highest civil award, Pride of Pakistan, the Hilal-e-Imtiaz as well as Japan’s highest civil award. But all that and more came to end on February 11, when she breathed her last after a long battle with throat cancer. She has left behind a legacy in her brother, writer and satirist Anwar Maqsood, and sisters: poetess Zehra Nigah, couturier Sughra Kazmi and culinary expert Zubaida Tariq, all of whom she raised into respectable, articulate dignitaries after her father and grandfather passed away.
“These people have been part of our lives, growing up and frankly, when you lose such people, there is a sense of disorientation. It is an honour for us to have met people like Bajia and learn something from them. She was among my father’s friends and would meet me very compassionately, every time,” writer Mohsin Sayeed shared his feelings with Instep. “She used to treat everyone with respect and meet and greet people without any discrimination; no matter what social class they belonged to. I never saw her losing her temper or raising her voice on anyone. She was always very considerate. In fact, she was an epitome of humanity. With people like her leaving, a whole value system is dying. She has made a huge contribution in promoting Urdu. Not only have we lost a loving person, but also a great supporter and propagator of Urdu language.”
Others, from all walks of life, also chimed in, sharing their condolences on Twitter.
“Saddened to hear of Fatima Surayya Bajia’s death. She made a major contribution to the development of modern drama. May Allah bless her soul,” wrote PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The Prime Minister also expressed his grief on the iconic personality’s demise saying that a huge vacuum has been created in country’s literary circles. Sufi singer/musician Salman Ahmed also tweeted, “Saddened to hear of the passing of the great Fatima Surrayya Bajia (RIP).”
Born into an educated family of Hyderabad Deccan in 1930, Fatima Surayya was the eldest of 9 siblings. She moved to Pakistan, with her family, right after partition and made her acting debut in 1966 for director Agha Nasir’s play. However, she soon found her calling as a writer and wrote extensively for PTV. Her plays were known to be culturally elaborate and focused on familial ties.
