On what would have been the 69th birth anniversary of the woman behind the poetic work, ‘Khushboo’, Daily Minute Mirror got in touch with celebrities from various fields of art to have their views on Parveen Shakir’s work.
Sameena Nazir (Drama instructor at NAPA, theatre, film and television actor, short-story writer)
Larkiyon ke dukh ajab hote hain sukh us se ajeeb
Hans rahi hain aur kaajal bheegta hai saath saath
I was in university when I came across these verses by Parveen Shakir, and ever since then, I have developed a relatability with the poetess’s work, so much so that I feel as if I am still living these lines. Carrying such an adept command over women’s psyche, Parveen Shakir had this very lucid style of sending across her delicate dreams, wishes, romance and even the biggest of her life’s tragedies. It won’t be wrong to say that the boldness that lies in my stories might be the result of having read Parveen Shakir avidly. I don’t think anyone has been able to depict the nuances of physical relationships the way she has done through her poetry. These are things that women, even of the contemporary times would love to dare say, but will be silenced by the patriarchal system we are living in. Parveen Shakir broke so many conventions so many years ago, and that’s the reason why people, young and old, men and women, can relate to her to date.
Khaled Anam (Theatre and television actor, music composer, singer, teacher, writer)
What sets Parveen Shakir apart from other poets is her usage of similes, something we refer to as ‘ista’aara’ in Urdu. Us ne khushboo ki tarah meri pazeeraayi ki was something totally new back then. It was her unique style of penning poetry that would attract everyone. She was unpredictable; someone who also had the tendency to grow so simple at times that she would start relating everyday things and experiences, even the shades of her lipstick, thereby emerging as relatable to even common boys and girls. So basically, she had this ability to connect with the masses. All the same, she had a very mysterious persona, and her death too, surprisingly got wrapped up in a mystery. May Allah bless her with peace in the heavens.
Rubina Ashraf (Actor, director, producer)
I am someone not inclined towards poetry. I am more into doing catharsis through singing and listening to music. Even then, Parveen Shakir is someone who has inspired even people possessing a disposition like me. Whatever she would write, it would straightaway touch the hearts. Whatever I would read by her, it would always emerge as so relatable that I would be left awe-struck, especially her widely admired and read verses:
Kaise keh doon keh mujhe chor dia hai us ne
Baat tou sach hai magar baat hai ruswayi ki
Omair Rana (Theatre actor and director, film and television actor, drama instructor)
I don’t think I am the right person to say something about a woman as wonderful as Parveen Shakir; such was her caliber. To amalgamate her experiences as an individual of her era, as a woman of a patriarchal society and a person encountering multiple mishaps in a powerful, archaic form of poetry with just the right rhyme schemes was so incredibly amazing. No one would have thought that such a unique poetess would emerge on the scene, with no intention whatsoever to celebrate victimhood. Parveen Shakir rose as a strong, awe-inspiring woman who extracted the best out of life till her last moment.
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