Jeelani Bano

Jeelani Bano Biography

Jeelani Bano is an eminent Urdu fictional writer from Uttar Pradesh. She was honored with Padma Shri by government of India in 2001 for her contributions towards Urdu literature. Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi Award, Soviet Land Nehru Award, Qaumi Haali Award and NTR national Literary Award are other major honours received by her. Bano’s novels and short stories are loved by millions of readers who love Urdu literature. Her story Narsaiyyan Ki Bavdi was adapted for 2009 political satire Hindi film, Well Done Abba. She is also associated with many NGOs associated with woman and child rights.

She has published a total of 22 books belonging to different genres. Her published novels include - Aiwaan-e-ghazal, Baarish-e-Sang, Nirvaan, Jugnu aur Sitare and Naghme Ka Safar. Her short story collections are Roshni ke Minar, Paraya Ghar, Raat ke Musafir, Kun, Nayee Aurat, Yeh koun Hansa, Raz ka Qissa, Dus Pratinidhi Kahaniyan, Tiryaaq, Sach ke siva and Baath Phoolon ki. She also published an autobiography, Afzane. She is also associated with social activities, apart from writings. She is a former chairperson of Child and Women Human Rights forum, Youth for Action and also Asmita, an NGO for women's rights.

Jeelani Bano was born on 14 July 1936 in Badayun, Uttar Pradesh. Her father Hairat Badayuni was a well-known Urdu poet. She married Anwar Moazzam, a poet and lecturer, and she continued her studies after marriage. Later she secured Master’s in Urdu language. She started writing at the age of 8. Her first story, Ek Nazar Idhar Bhi was published in 1952. She owns 22 published books to her credit.  She earned her first recognition in 1960, when she received Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi Award.

Published: February 18, 2019

Updated: February 18, 2019