Women in Literature: Prose & Poetry

From Fatima Bhutto's Songs of Blood and Sword to Tehmina Durrani's My Feudal Lord: the words of Pakistan women echoes the world. Different Pakistani women have been in literature and poetry and prose.

With some of the most famous being:

Fatima Surayya Bajia

She is a very famous and highly celebrated novelist in Pakistan. She has been writing novels, fiction and drama script since more than 30 years. She was the one to receive highest civil award from Japanese government. She is very much famous in literature, social sciences and is very popular in TV and Radio.

Some of her very famous plays for different channels include:

 Ghar aik Nagar

·        Faraz Aik Karz

·        Phool Rahi Sarsoon

·        Tasveer-e-Kainaat

·        Asaavari

·        Arzoo

·        Sassi Punno

Fatima Murtaza Bhutto 

She is one of the only few English language female writers in Pakistan. She is the famous granddaughter of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Although, political in nature, her piece of writings also show a great zeal of agony and art. Her book Songs of Blood and Sword has been very popular. 

Razia Butt

She was a playwright and famous fiction-teller of Urdu language. She usually writes novella indicating and supporting characters of Pakistani strong females; finding them in one of the social conditions highly prevailing in the society. She is one the most celebrated fiction writers of Urdu language.

Umera Ahmed

Umera Ahmad is a new and emerging female writer. She writes fiction which is both cultural and spiritual in nature. Her literary work focuses on the impact of different events in regular and mundane life on spiritual realms. She is famous for her piece of fictions such as Pir-e-Kamil and Lahasil. Most of her work has been dramatised and used in different plays and soap operas for the everyday public to see. 

Zindagi Gulzar Hwounds- from romantic to full of wisdom and understanding of her very own emotions. Some of her famous works include: Khud Kalam, Inkar and Kaf e Aina. The collection of all her poetry books is present in the volume "Mah e Tamam" which means "Full Moon" in English.

She has been, by far the best Urdu female poets who ever lived.

Tehmina Durrani

She is a women rights and social activist. She 

became an author by publishing a beautiful piece of work "My Feudal Lord" which indicated her abusive, ugly and soul sacrificing marriage to a political figure. Some of her other famous works include:

A Mirror to the Blind: This work has especially been written to highlight and acclaim the services of social worker and famous pihlantropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. Another book written by her was "Blasphemy" which show the real picture of fake pirs and has been controversial. 

Parveen Shakir

Considered the best female poet by many till date, Parveen Shakir started writing quite young. She was only 24 years old when she wrote in magazines and published her first volume of poetry, which was a hit. Her poetry reflected the deepest emotions and wounds- from romantic to full of wisdom and understanding of her very own emotions. Some of her famous works include: Khud Kalam, Inkar and Kaf e Aina. The collection of all her poetry books is present in the volume "Mah e Tamam" which means "Full Moon" in English.

She has been, by far the best Urdu female poets who ever lived.

The Social Class Difference: Money & Education

Money cannot only buy you cars, mansions and diamonds- it can also buy you degrees and quality education.


For the conditions of countries like Pakistan, where more than half of the population strives and lives on less than a dollar each day: which is technically below poverty line as per the global standards followed in the world. The literacy rate is directly proportional to the social class you belong and the better and quality education is skewed to the richer, elite classes of the country.

With the ugly, obscene and devastatingly bad conditions of public institutions: from government school to universities. The only sane option for the parents remain is to get them educated in a private institute. And the admissions at sophisticated and decent institutes-come with a price.
The private sector provides all the necessities as well as a better academic and general staff, more decent atmosphere and has completely manipulated the government's failing of providing a good quality and cheap education.

They have taken advantage of the situation by providing exactly the same thing at a higher and more higher price. Promotion of such a mechanism only continues one thing: the rich get the access to the best quality education available in a cultured environment, the poor gets nothing but ghost schools and maybe some ghosts too(unused buildings over a period of time)!

This mechanism only results in one thing: the rich gets richer, and the poor stays the slave. For this is not just a matter of illiteracy or failing of government. It is the whole cycle and whole scenario- which is absolutely beneficial for the people at the top- it enables them to stay at the top. The literacy and education can only take their slaves away: which is a nightmare.

The Light of Literacy

Education in the light of present-day knowledge and need calls for some spirited and creative innovations both in the substance and the purpose of current pedagogy.

-Anne Sullivan

Awareness: English Language Learning & Teaching

English Language: Learning & Teaching

A country like Pakistan, where the literacy rate is stagnant; with an immensely slow growth. The calculation of literacy is not even a high standard to measure up to; merely being able to write your name in any of the languages. There is a drastic decrease in education levels going higher, with more and more decrease on primary to middle to high and intermediate and graduation level, the ratio is negatively skewed. A country where undergrads are not more than 3.9% of the total population and grads not more than 1%, there is a desperate need of educated and quality individuals- who do not only have a certain academic degree, but also the ability to read and write in various languages, specially the internationally worthy language- English.

There is an extremely high demand for people well versed in spoken and written English, but the not so sufficient supply. There are not many people available having this ability of conversing in a refined language with accuracy in grammar and punctuation. A great reason behind the fact that Pakistan is lagging behind so many countries in performing internationally on the various platforms of arts, sciences, history, fiction, geography, social activities and research is a barrier of language- despite of being a high demand for it.

This gap of demand and supply has generated a value and worth for the individuals who can speak and write English very well, for this is a much needed skill specially when operating internationally. This factor has also expanded an interest and motivation among the individuals to learn language skills and excel at English language. Thus, more and more institutions, universities and even schools are offering English language classes; not only focusing on the aspect of writing and reading but also listening and understanding the various dialects of the language for a better interaction with their foreign counterparts.

Literature in Sindh

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai:

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai is the most celebrated and significant figure in the literature of Sindh- till date. His poetry gave Sindh language a full bloom, an beautiful expression at a whole new level. It merged the Sufi thought with the folkore regularly mentioned in Sindh i.e. Sassi Punno, Moomal Rano and Umar Marvi. It reflected a whole new era of idealism and provoked the thoughts of new cultural idea.

The poetry and words of Latif were not limited to the folkore but also gave wisdom and idea for the humanity at large. His poetry deals with promoting peace, resolving conflicts, increasing love and brotherhood among people of the world. He was not only a asthodunding poet, but also a musician. His music and poetry reflected the need for promotion of universal brotherhood, love for the land of Sindh, mysctism and beauty, the intensity and fire of love, the search for the God(Beloved).

-.Culture and folklore: Sindhi poetry has been usually written in the genre of reflecting culture and folklore. The tales of different lovers that took place on this land, the devotion and the intensity, the fire and the passion, the search for the beloved as well as the longing for the Beloved, the pain that separation brings and the pleasure that unification smothers. Sindhi poetry largely reflects and potrays and brings different messages into the similar position of reflection of beloved and famous heroes and heroines of the land and the tragedy they went through

-Sufism: Another aspect of Sindhi poetry is Sufism. For most of the highly celebrated Sindhi poets like Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Sachal Sarmast, the large and huge focus of their writing was Sufism. The ultimate connection and dramatic scene of all the love stories and folkore of Sindh was directly linked in relating to the love of God.

The British Raj & Creation of Pakistan

Sindh produced significant scholars and poets which not only contributed to Sindh in general but Pakistan at large. One of the very learned scholars include Allama I.I. Kazi who was a scholar, philosopher and educationist. He was a very learned man and considered the very important person and founding father of University of Sindh. From the works of literature, to art and mysticism and education and wisdom- many are honored and attributed to him.

His wife, Elsa Kazi, who was an important figure too. She was a poet, a philosopher and a writer. She is famous for translating Shah Abdul Latif's poetry in English Language.

Other scholars include: G.M Syed, Dr Daudpota, Pir Ali Mohammed Shah, Maulana Deen Mohammad wafai etc.  and many others who produced and developed a part of the Sindhi literature what it is today.

The Neem Tree- a poem by Elsa Kazi

Sindhi Literature: Present times

To this day, Sindhi literature is highly celebrated. Both in the forms of poetry, music, dance, folklore, wisdom for understanding different situations. Sindhi poetry has been translated in English by many different poets. It has been turned into music by different bands. A present day famous band called "The Sketches" produce high quality music and sing the poetry of Latif, with the lyrics produced in English language. 

Cultural and literature festivals are arranged in the big city of Karachi to read, promote and understand the dynamics and depth of Sindhi literature and get the wisdom from it.

Women & Words: Female Literacy in Sindh

With the country's population of 51% women, more than half of the Pakistanis are actually females. The lack of literacy in more than half the population of the country; and the gender which is required to keep the generations alive and nurture them is illiterate- means only one thing for entire nation- 'destruction.'

What is more destructive than the fairer sex, the gender required to nourish a family, birth a heir, carry on a generation and nurture the individuals- remain uneducated and unaware of her very own existences- her very own rights. Such is the scenario in Pakistan, especially in Sindh. Women are hardly educated. They are highly discouraged to study by male counterparts. There is only one question and alot of answers.

The question remains: WHY?

Why would you let your son study while your daughter await? Why does an independent husband never let go of dependence from his wife? Why do males still dominate; infact control women more in our state when rest of the world is on the verge of feminism and modernism movements.

 The world has discovered quantum physics and a typical male in rural Sindh is confused whether to send his daughter to primary school or not? There is further education as doctoral research for Ph.Ds in the world, and here they consider 'middle pass' the ultimate and absolute education?

And then we consider and we ask again and again. We ask repeatedly, "why are where are we lagging behind?' We are lagging behind in the vision. We are lagging behind in the idea and inspiration. We have been brainwashed by our very own selves to even entertain such ideas that female education has been discouraged by our religion and it is unislamic for a female to study. 

She may be brilliant, she may be a star. She may be good at mathematics or may be at art. She might be a born discoverer or a learned writer. She may have heaps of creativity or bounds of genius. But she is bound to be a 'housewife', to cook and clean and to reproduce heirs. She is bound to be the obedient and physically abused wife of a dictator- For such is the fate of a girl child born in rural Sindh.

Education in Sindh

Benazir Bhutto, the famous female leader of Pakistan says for the promotion of education and knowledge and how necessary and significant it is for a human being in particular and mankind in general. She says:

The Literacy & Education in Sindh

Of all the other provinces, Sindhi is far most lacking behind in education. the education in Sindhi is horribly wrong and devastatingly ugly. 

Why?

Partly due to the fact, that corruption still prevails in the country and partly due to fact the no one really gives a heap about it. There are many different organizations and social sector NGOs working for the betterment of the society- opening schools to promote and encourage education- especially female education.

The condition of education in Sindh, is hideous for around 60% of the schools do not have proper drinking water facilities and there is no electricity in almost of the schools in Sindh. The rural areas of Sindh, education is highly discouraged.

For the success of any province or a nation at large, education is the ultimate significant factor. It is a part of the basic rights of human beings living in country to be provided by the state. The only development mankind has seen since his existence, has been only possible through quality education.

It has been quoted by different philosophers including, "

Since the creation of Pakistan, illiteracy has been one of the strongest forces in the downfall. The reason behind the constantly decreasing standards of life, increase in number of people living below the poverty line and alarmingly growing rate of population all signify a nation of people: who lack basic knowledge and guidance significant for their survival.

With that being said, different provinces in Pakistan show different results. With Punjab being the most educated and Sindh among the lower end. The literacy rate of Sindh is alarmingly low and the drop out of primary education is amazingly high.

How can we expect a production of intellectuals, best brains, quality researchers- in given circumstances? For it's not just the government or the failure of social sector that has contributed to the making of this system, but the whole public- each individual. The individuals, follow their herd. For they do not even do their part and just blame the superior authorities. It can only get better if individuals learn their responsibility and focus on the personal level. And if the government, ever HONESTLY wills to better the system!

Introduction to Education & Literacy in Pakistan

Defining literacy:

Although there is no particular definition of literacy, as it cannot be measured or quantified. But the  dictionaries define it as:

"The condition or the quality of being literate: the ability to read and write."

Considering the definition and standardization of literacy, certain tests and evaluation are used to evaluate and estimate a country's literacy rate and place it in the list of overall literacy comparable to other countries. The tests help in understanding how behind or how far a country stands compared to other competitor countries in the world in the number of literate population.

The alarmingly decreasing number of students in higher as comparable to middle and in middle in comparison to primary indicates the extreme turnover and leaving education in between.

Pakistan has been disturbingly low in literacy rates: since the past and the condition is still rampant. The literacy rate is not higher than 50% of the overall population: that too achieved by manipulating the overall definition of 'literacy'. The formal primary, secondary and tertiary education, which is categorized into six branches. 

The primary education is between grade 1 to 5, middle being 6 to 8, higher and intermediate ranges from 9 till 12.

The alarmingly decreasing number of students in higher as comparable to middle and in middle in comparison to primary indicates the extreme turnover and leaving education in between.