Karachi (Web Desk): The 9th death anniversary of renowned novelist and playwright Fatima Surayya Bajia is being observed on Monday.
Born on September 1,1930 in Hyderabad Deccan, India, she was the eldest among ten siblings and “Bajia” means older sister.
Bajia's life unfolded like a delicate yet enduring thread woven through the fabric of tumultuous times, a role she embraced with grace as her family navigated the intricate tides of history.
While formal schooling remained beyond her reach, the education that she nurtured within her home was profound, sowing the seeds for her later contributions to literature and the world of media.
When the winds of partition swept her family across the new borders into Pakistan, they carried with them not just their belongings but a treasured library, a collection of books that would become a sanctuary for Bajia's mind.
These were trying times for the family and Bajia eventually took on the responsibility of raising her nine siblings—who included the painter, writer, and television personality Anwar Maqsood, the poet and screenwriter Zehra Nigah, and celebrity chef Zubaida Tariq by earning money by sewing dolls and designing clothes.
At one point, she sewed dolls and designed clothes to make ends meet, an embodiment of both her resourcefulness and determination.
Her writing journey began humbly, scribbling articles for a local Urdu newspaper, but soon her words found a home in the world of radio.
By the early 1960s, Bajia’s scripts were airing across Pakistan, and she became a pioneer in the fledgling world of Pakistan Television (PTV).
It was her drama Auraq that first captured the public’s imagination, and from that moment, her name became synonymous with thought-provoking television that transcended entertainment and ventured into the realms of social discourse.
Her plays , Shama, Afshan, Zeenat, and Aroosa, dealt not only with the challenges women and children faced but also explored the intricacies of societal and cultural norms, all while maintaining a deep respect for the traditions they questioned.
Bajia’s approach to her craft was meticulous and all-encompassing. She didn’t just write her plays; she became the heartbeat of every production, from the designs of the costumes to the details of the sets.
Her keen eye for detail ensured that her work wasn’t just seen but experienced, making her dramas an enduring part of Pakistan’s cultural identity.
For her contributions to the arts and her unflinching commitment to exploring issues of social justice, Bajia received accolades that many would consider the pinnacle of recognition.
The Pride of Performance Award in 1996 and the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2012 were among the honors bestowed upon her, acknowledging the profound impact of her work on generations of Pakistanis.
Fatima Surayya Bajia passed away on February 10, 2016 due to throat cancer in Karachi.
The veteran writer left behind a legacy that endures not in the pages of books alone, but in the lives of those who continue to watch her dramas, read her stories, and draw strength from the unflinching courage with which she faced both the joys and sorrows of life.
