Writer And Urdu Poet Tarannum Riyaz Passes Away: Commemorating Her Life And Works

Who is Tarannum Riyaz? The celebrated Urdu writer, poet and newscaster passed away Thursday, at a hospital in New Delhi. She was battling the coronavirus, as per reports. News of her demise comes a month following that of her husband Riyaz Punjabi, the noted Kashmir University (KU) Vice-Chancellor who died April 8.

Riyaz's death is being mourned widely in Urdu literary circles for the void she leaves behind. She was a renowned figure, not just in the established milieu of academia, but also among youthful entrants stepping foot into the world of poetry across India's universities.

Her works form part of nationally studied literature, with research students deep-diving into the profound seas of feeling, thought, criticism and spirit she evoked through tens upon tens of her stories, essays and poetry anthologies.

A Life Of Poetry And Emotion: Who Is Tarannum Riyaz, All You Need To Know 

Hailing from Srinagar, Kashmir where she obtained her degrees in Urdu and education from KU, Riyaz began her career in the media world as a newscaster on All India Radio (AIR). As an academician, she taught at various educational institutions specialising in the arts. She was also a senior fellow with the central Ministry of Culture.

Her written and translated works are an exhibition of pure literature, reminiscent of old-world Urdu with their finetuned attention to culture and history weaved seamlessly into language.

Riyaz's popular works:

• Abbabeelain Laut Aaengi
• Chashme Naqshe Kadam
• Fareb E Khitta E Gul
• Barf Aashna Parindey
• 20th Century Urdu Literature of Women

For her magnificent contribution to the craft, Riyaz has been the recipient of multiple honours including the Delhi Urdu Academy Fiction Award, Sahir Ludhyanvi Adeeb International Award, SAARC Literature Award and Rasa Javedani Memorial Award. She served as secretary for the Poetry Club India and had represented the country on many international forums in Pakistan, Canada and beyond.

Image: MysticKalinga