August 21 marks the end of an era of Urdu Literature. Qurat-ul-Ain Haider known as Annie Apa among her friends and admirers, passed away at the age of 81.
She was one of the most outstanding literary names in Urdu Literature. The bold and beautiful daughter of the famous writer Sajjad Haidar Yaldram and novelist Nazr Zahra, stepped into the literary world at the young age of eleven. Her first short story, Bi-Chuhiya (Little Miss Mouse), was published in children’s magazine Phool.
Aag Ka Durya was her impregnable novel which established her career. Her other works include:
– Mere Bhi Sanam Khane (1949)
– Safina-e-Gham-e-Dil (1952)
– Patjhar Ki Awaz (‘The Voice of Autumn’, 1965)
– Chai ke Bagh (‘Tea Plantations’, 1965), one of four novellas including Dilruba, Sita Haran, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Na Kijo, exploring gender injustice.
– Raushni ki Raftar (‘The Speed of Light’, 1982)
– Kar e Jahan Daraz Hai(‘The Work of the World Goes On’), the family chronicle
– Aakhir Shab ke Hamsafar
– Gardish e Rang e Chaman
– Chandani Begum, her last novel
“Gardish e Rang e Chaman” is also her finest novel. She was a prolific writer. Her literary works include some 12 novels and novellas, four collections of short stories and has done a significant amount of translation of classics. Her books have been translated into English and other languages.
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