Women uplift was the dream of this poetess
Meyar-e-nazar ne abhi manzil pai, Aur qafilae-umr guzarta sa lage hai”
On June 9 2106, we lost an epitome of ‘Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeb’, a celebrated Urdu poet and scholar, Fatima Wasia Jaisi. She passed away at the age of 76 years.
She expressed herself on various aspects of life and society through her stimulating poetry. She took to writing from an early childhood and authored many books in her lifetime, namely - Bachpan, Tammana-e-Fatima, Reza Reza Hayat, Kirach Kirach Zindagi, Qatra Qatra Samandar, Meraje-Qalam, Roobaro, Sukoot-eGoya, Tarz-e-Guftagu and Dana Dana Khirman which had been published and appreciated at large.
She appeared prominently in mushairas, seminars, TV and radio programmes, newspapers and publications. Her contribution to the world of Urdu Literature has been well recognised across the world through various awards like Adab shree from the Progressive Cultural Society, Sanad -e-tausweef by the U.P. Urdu Academy, the recent one being ‘The Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Awadhnama Educational and Charitable Trust on Zainab Day commemorating International Womens Day.
She was also an active social worker throughout her life. Women empowerment, women education and national integration were the issues closest to her heart.
She ran an educational society which facilitated vocational and academic qualification for women. She herself completed her graduation and post-graduation from Lucknow University after marriage along with fulfilling her responsibilities as a housewife.
She had been associated with Lucknow Peace Council, Sanjhi Dunya, Lioness club, Suraksha, Bazme-e-Urdu, Bazm-e-Khawateen to name a few.
Her following couplet captures her commitment to social cause well - Ek musht-e-par sahi , hoon to chaman ke beech mein, Mujh ko le jaye hawa, itna hawaa meni dum nahin
Fatima Wasia Jaisi was a progressive thinker, a ‘voice of reason’, a strong willed lady with a noble soul who appealed equally to all including the younger generation. Her never ending quest for knowledge and zest for life is exemplary.
We will always remember her fondly as a person who smiled her way though the journey of life.
The famous line ‘We shall overcome’ encapsulates Fatima Wasia Jaisi’s life perfectly. She expressed this spirit beautifully in her following couplet-Zindigi sade waraq par ek hasin tehrir hai; Aur yeh duniya, isi tehrir ki tafsir hai