Qurratulain Hyder

Qurratulain Hyder Biography

Qurratulain Hyder was Urdu novelist and short story writer. She was also a journalist. She is most known for her magnum opus, Aag Ka Darya (River of Fire) published in the year 1959. The story stretches from the 4th century BC to post partition of India. It includes the agonies of Pakistani people, particularly towards its climax. The novel was first published in Urdu language. She received Jnanpith award in the year 1989 for her Urdu work, Akhire Shab Ke Humsafar. In 1967 she received Sahitya Akademi Award in Urdu for Patjhar Ki Awaz – A collection of Short stories. She received Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 1994 and Padma Bhushan in 2005.

Hyder was born on January 20, 1926 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. She started writing novels in Urdu at a time when novel was not deep rooted as poems in Urdu literature. She is widely regarded as the "Grande Dame" of Urdu literature. She completed her graduation from Lucknow University's Isabella Thoburn College. She moved to Pakistan in 1947 post independence, later went to London and finally returned back in 1960. She shifted to different places throughout the country and remained unmarried.

She has worked as Managing editor of ‘Imprint’ magazine and was a member of the editorial staff of the Illustrated Weekly of India. Hyder also served as a guest lecturer and visiting professor at many universities, India and abroad. She started writing at the age of 11. Her literary works include some 12 novels and novellas and four collections of short stories. She has translated many works to Urdu as well. Similarly many of her works have been translated to other languages.

Her other published works include - Mere Bhi Sanam Khane, Safina-e-Gham-e-Dil, Patjhar ki Awaz, Raushni ki Raftar, Chaye ke Bagh, Dilruba, Sita Haran, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Na Kijo, Kar e Jahan Daraz Hai and Mayray Bhee Sanam khanay.

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Updated: November 22, 2013