SHE calls herself a housewife, “married into a large family” and says she “discovered” herself late in life. Meet Pakistani short story writer and poet Farhat Parveen, who was honoured with the Urdu Manzil Adabi (Literary) Award at a glittering ceremony in Dubai on March 13.

The award was presented in recognition of her literary, social and cultural services by Sabiha Saba, editor-in-chief of UAE-based website, www.urdumanzil.com, and editor Saghier Ahmed Jafri, in the presence of Khursheed Ahmed Junejo, Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE.

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Farhat — who’s now based in Saudi Arabia — remembered how 1992 was a momentous year. “It was only 17 years ago, while I was living in the US, that I found time to explore my talent as a short story writer and poet,” she said. But she added, “I read more than I write. Reading is my passion and writing my necessity. Reading takes between five to six hours of my time every day. Writing is an effortless act for me, like breathing.”

Farhat tries to capture the various colours of life through her work. She credits her interaction with people 
during her travels, her observation skills, and her sensitive nature in helping her find the right subject for her short stories. Though most of the characters in her short stories undergo pain and sadness in life, Farhat seems to be a total contrast. “I spread happiness among others and keep my pain close to my heart... When I can’t hold them any more within me, I write,” she explained. Talking about modern Urdu literature, Farhat was not too happy with the tendency to take up poetry as an expression, with few being inclined towards writing prose.

In less than two decades, Farhat has published four collections of short stories, Sandal Ka Jangal (Sandal Forest), Munjamid (Frozen), Restaurant Ki Khirki Say (From the Window of the Restaurant), and Kanch Ki Chatan (Glass Rock). She is currently working on a new novel, Barg-e-Gul-e-Afrooz.

qudoos@khaleejtimes.com