Naim Sahib just emailed that the renowned Urdu author - Qurratulain Hyder has passed away at the age of 80.
“There was no one like her when she was alive. Future generations will place her above Ismat and the rest. She was the best writer of her generation, male or female. And said more and more profoundly than any of them. Her place in Urdu literature is secure beyond anyone else’s, except Manto.” — Naim
Some links: You can read Naim Sahib’s introduction from A Season of Betrayals: A short story and two novellas - a collection translated by him - which contains full biographical notes on Hyder; an excellent recording of her reading at LOC’s South Asian Literary Recordings Project; a recent post about her work by Hirsh Sawhney; an essay on Aag ka Darya by KumKum Sangari.
Her death is a big jolt to Urdu literature. She was the tallest writer, and apart from Intizar Husain, I see none alive of the stature close to her.
Unfortunately we have had no big novel in Urdu in the recent years and there is no promising writer anywhere is sight. Prose is nearly dead.
I feel very sad. I think she was the greatest Urdu novelist.
Ainee Apa was the greatest Urdu writer. Her vision and sense of history are unmatched..
Please also see this
http://www.razarumi.com/2007/08/23/the-tributes-continue-remembering-qurratalain-hyder/
Greatest???????
Are you guys kidding?
Why do you say that Aamir??