Google is paying tribute to legendary playwright Fatima Surayya Bajia on her 88th birth anniversary through its doodle feature. Bajia was born on September 1, 1930 in Hyderabad Deccan. After the partition, she migrated to Pakistan with her family.
She stepped into showbiz with PTV in 1960. Apart from TV, she wrote multiple scripts for radio and stage including Shama, Afshan, Uroosa, Ana and Tasveer.
In recognition of Bajia’s services, the Government of Pakistan awarded her with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz and a medal for best performance. Japan also conferred her with the highest civilian honour.
Bajia also rendered her services as an educational adviser for the Sindh government. She was the sister of Anwar Maqsood, Zehra Nigah and late Zubaida Tariq. Aged 85, the artist passed away on February 10, 2016 in Karachi.
In 2016, people from diverse backgrounds came to listen to Nigah speak not only about her talented sister and playwright but also the humble personality that Bajia was.
“Bajia never closed the doors of her house. She helped countless people during her life. Even on her funeral, there were a number of people whom we never met but were only there for her.”
Nigah, a renowned poet herself, said that Bajia did not let the countless awards she received affect her. “She believed in hard work and continued to do so till the end”.
