Fatima Surayya Bajia facts for kids

Fatima Surayya Bajia (فاطمہ ثریاّ بجیا; 1 September 1930 – 10 February 2016) was a famous writer from Pakistan. She wrote novels, plays, and TV dramas in the Urdu language. She received many awards for her work, both in Pakistan and other countries, including Japan's highest civilian award.

Bajia also worked as an advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh province in Pakistan. She was also part of the Arts Council of Pakistan. She passed away on 10 February 2016 in Karachi when she was 85 years old.

She was well-known for her work in social welfare, on radio, TV, and stage. Bajia wrote many shows for PTV centers in Islamabad and Lahore. Her first long play was called Mehman. She also helped with literary shows like Auraaq and beauty care programs. Plus, she created many children's programs. Bajia was also a strong supporter of women's rights.

Early Life and Education

Fatima Surayya Bajia was born in Raichur, a town near "Panj Bibi Mountain" in Hyderabad, India. After Pakistan became independent, she moved there with her family.

She did not go to a regular school. Instead, she was taught at home by teachers. Even so, she became a very smart thinker, reader, and writer. Her family believed in teaching their children discipline and how to be self-sufficient. They made sure she learned all the subjects that were taught in formal schools.

Starting Her Career

Bajia first got involved with PTV in the 1960s. She was visiting the PTV Islamabad station when her flight to Karachi was delayed. The director, Agha Nasir, hired her.

She started as an actress in 1966 in one of his plays. After that, she began writing her own stories and scripts. Agha Nasir once said that Bajia was very dedicated to her work. When she was writing a play, she would often move her things to the TV station and become a key person there. He said that if anyone had a problem, they would go to Bajia for help.

Awards and Recognition

Fatima Surayya Bajia won many awards for her amazing work.

• In 1996, she received the Pride of Performance Award. This is one of the highest civilian awards given by the Pakistan Government for contributions to the arts.
• She also received Japan's highest civilian award for her work.
• In 1979, she won a Special Nigar Award for her contributions to television.
• In 1985, she received another Nigar Award for being the best writer.
• In 2013, the President of Pakistan awarded her the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, another very high civilian honor.

Bajia also remained an advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh province in Pakistan.

In 2012, a book about her life was released. It was called Apki Bajia (Your Bajia) and was written by Syeda Iffat Hasan Rizvi after six years of research.

Illness and Death

Fatima Surayya Bajia passed away on 10 February 2016 in Karachi. She was 85 years old and had been battling throat cancer. Her body was buried at Gizri Graveyard.

Tribute

On 1 September 2018, Google created a special Google Doodle to celebrate what would have been her 88th birthday. This was a way to honor her memory and her contributions.

Popular Plays

Here are some of her well-known drama serials:

• Shama (1974)
• Afshan
• Aroosa
• Tasweer
• Zeenat
• Ana
• Aagahi
• Aabgeenay
• Babar
• Tareekh-o-Tamseel
• Ghar aik Nagar
• Faraz Aik Karz
• Phool Rahi Sarsoon
• Tasveer-e-Kainaat
• Asaavari
• Arzoo
• Sassi Punno
• Anarkali
• Auraq
• Jisse Piya Chahe

See also

• Anwar Maqsood
• Zubaida Tariq
• Zehra Nigah