Zaitoon Bano

Zaitoon Bano (born 18 June 1938), also spelled Zaitun Banu, is a Pakistani feminist writer, poet, and the former broadcaster. She primarily writes in Pashto and Urdu languages. Sometimes, she is referred to as Khatun-e-Awal (first lady) or "first lady of Pashto fiction", a 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.[1][2][3]

Zaitoon Bano
Native name
زیتون بانو
Born(1938-06-18)June 18, 1938
Sufaid Dheri, Peshawar, Pakistan
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
Notable awardsPride of Performance
Years active1958–present
SpouseTaj Saeed[lower-alpha 1]
ParentsPir Syed Sultan Mahmood Shah (father)
RelativesPir Syed Abdul Qudus Tundar (grandfather)

She was born to Pir Syed Sultan Mahmood Shah in Sufaid Dheri village of Peshawar, Pakistan. She married Taj Saeed and is granddaughter of Pir Syed Abdul Qudus Tundar, a Pashto poet.[4][5]

Education and background

Zaitoon received her primary schooling and matriculation from a city school, and later obtained master's degree[1] from the Islamia College University[4] in Pashto and Urdu as a private student. After completing her education, she used to taught at various educational institutions, and later joined Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation where she served as a producer.[1] Prior to debuting in writings, she was associated with the Radio Pakistan[6] and Pakistan Television Corporation, a state-owned Television channel.

Literary career

She started 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, a short stories titled Da Shagu Mazal (A Journey Through Aands) revolves around stories 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 for contributing to numerous radio and television plays.[7]

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

Awards and accolades

Zaitoon was awarded fifteen national literary awards including the Pride of Performance[7] and Fakhr-i- Peshawar award in recognition of her contribution to Pashto and Urdu fiction.[1][9] In 2016, a panel of the Sustainable Development Goals, awarded her a 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.[10]

References
  1. Shinwari, Sher Alam (11 May 2019). "Zaitoon Bano, 'first lady of Pashto fiction', says women writers have more freedom than ever before". Images.
  2. Report, Bureau (26 October 2016). "Zaitoon Bano a strong Pakhtun feminine voice". DAWN.COM.
  3. "British Pukhtun Association arranges function". www.thenews.com.pk.
  4. "Tales of the times : The bold and the literary". tribune.com.pk.
  5. "Pushto literature: The will to change". DAWN.COM. 29 August 2010.
  6. "'Radio Pakistan has always promoted arts, culture of provinces' | Pakistan Today". www.pakistantoday.com.pk.
  7. ""Pashtun women still need a strong voice" | Literati | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk.
  8. Bano, Zaitoon (26 June 1982). "Waqt Ki Dehleez". publisher not identified – via Google Books.
  9. Report, Bureau (19 April 2017). "Senior Pashto writer praised for bold expression". DAWN.COM.
  10. "Zaitun Banu declared Khatun-e-Awal of Pashto fiction". www.thenews.com.pk.

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