Fatima Surayya Bajia

Fatima Surayya Bajia was a prominent Pakistani Urdu novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. Born in 1930, she became a significant figure in the realms of radio, television, and theatre. Her extensive body of work includes numerous drama serials that shaped Pakistani media.

Early life and education

Bajia was born in September 1930 in the town of Raichur, located in the present-day Indian state of Karnataka. She was a native of Hyderabad, British India, near Panj Bibi Mountain. Following the independence of Pakistan, she migrated to the new country with her family. She never attended a formal school during her childhood.

Her family decided that all education should take place within their home. Her grandfather preferred this method to prevent her from developing an inferiority complex. He felt that elite schools in Hyderabad were primarily for pampered girls of nawabs and jagirdars. Instead, teachers lived in her home to provide instruction in various subjects. She studied calligraphy and math alongside other standard curriculum topics. This homeschooling produced an eminent intellectual, reader, and writer.

Career

Bajia wrote her first novel, titled Muslim Samaj, when she was only 12 years old. Her professional involvement with PTV began in the 1960s after a delayed flight to Karachi led her to visit the PTV Islamabad station. Director Agha Nasir hired her, and she made her acting debut in 1966. She transitioned into writing shortly thereafter.

During the era of Zia ul Haq, she utilized creative settings to navigate strict social policies. According to Nasir, she wrote about characters from Baghdad and Granada to avoid censorship. This approach allowed her to explore complex themes within supposedly Islamic societies. She was a prolific writer for PTV centres in both Lahore and Islamabad. Her first long play was titled Mehman.

Her diverse contributions spanned various formats and genres. She participated in the literary program Auraaq and the beauty care program Aaraish-e-Khaam-e-Kakal. As an ardent feminist, she produced programs for women and children. She also founded Khwateen key Meilaad. Her popular drama serials include Shama, Afshan, Aroosa, and Tasweer. Other notable works are Zeenat, Ana, Aagahi, and Anarkali.

Personal life

Bajia was known for a personality described as an "open darbar." She rarely refused any request for work or assistance. People often visited her to find solutions to their personal problems. She was also noted for her hospitality, frequently inviting guests for lunch or dinner. She held a great fondness for sweet dishes.

She served in significant official capacities during her life. Bajia remained the Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh province. Additionally, she was a member of the managing committee for the Arts Council of Pakistan. She passed away from throat cancer on 10 February 2016 in Karachi. She was 85 years old at the time of her death.

Awards and recognition

The writer received numerous accolades both in Pakistan and abroad. In 1979, she earned the Special Nigar Award for her television contributions. She received another Nigar Award for best writer in 1985. The Pakistani government conferred the Pride of Performance award upon her in 1996. She was also honored with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan in 2013.

Her international influence was recognized through Japan's highest civil award. In 2012, a biography titled Apki Bajia was released after six years of research by Syeda Iffat Hasan Rizvi. Google commemorated her legacy with a Doodle on 1 September 2018. This tribute marked what would have been her 88th birthday.