Zer-e-CharKh-e-Kuhan and other poems by Shafiq Fatima Shera (1930-2012)
Translated by Riyaz Latif
Abstract:
Shafiq Fatima Shera’s (1930-2012) poems embody a singular voice in modern Urdu poetry. Born in Nagpur, and educated in Aurangabad, she
resided in Hyderabad where she taught at a college. She authored four collections of poetry, but her entire poetic oeuvre is gathered under the
title, “Silsila-e-Makalamāt”, published in 2006. Often drawing from Arabic and Persianate cultural traditions, her poems unfold a layered complexity at both, thematic as well as expressive strata. Abounding in rich metaphors as well as textured imagery, the lexical as well as imaginative fabric of her poems tends towards an evident expansiveness. Frequently relying on subtle suggestiveness through metaphor-laden images, Shera’s poetic world does not yield to easy accessibility, thus defying the dictates and demands of popular consumption. Nevertheless, her work has played a prime role in expanding the thematic and expressive contours of modern Urdu poetry, especially in relation to the body of work produced by modern/contemporary women-poets in Urdu. To that end, as a poet’s poet, Shera has held an esteemed position among the contained group of literati resolutely engaged with Urdu literature.
Works cited
Shera, Shafiq Fatima. Galla-e Safura. Modern Publishing House, 2006.
Zer-e-CharKh-e-Kuhan and other poems by Shafiq Fatima Shera (1930-2012) by Riyaz Latif is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 atif is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
