By: Kamran Khamiso Khowaja
HYDERABAD: Seasoned poetess, educationist, and social activist Nasreen Altaf died of cardiac arrest in Hyderabad on Friday morning. The 59-year-old poetess was rushed to a local hospital where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival. The news of her death spread like wildfire across the province, and a large number of her admirers and students took to social media to express their grief over the demise of the noted literary figure.
Nasreen was born on August 14, 1965, in Shahdadpur city, Sanghar district, to Altaf Qureshi. Her profound love for literature since childhood led her to venture into the orbit of Sindhi poetry. After completing her graduation, she joined the education department as a teacher in 1985. Later, she obtained Master’s degrees in Education and Sindhi literature from the University of Sindh, Jamshoro. After being promoted to the rank of High School Teacher, she joined the administrative section of the education department and served as Assistant District Education Officer.
Besides her professional responsibilities, she continued to make significant contributions to Sindhi poetry and literature. She also played an instrumental role in encouraging women to join literary organizations and contribute to the betterment of society. She hosted various Sindhi television shows and also appeared as a guest at various events. Her famous poetry books include Dard Jee Chanhu Me (Under the Shadow of Pain), Rir Rariyon Tho Kare (The Desert Cries), Rat Vihame Thi (The Night Ends), and Mum Men Tu Maujoof (You Are Within Me).
Eminent poets of Sindh, including Dr. Samina Waheed, Ayaz Amar Sheikh, Ayoub Khoso, and Javed Maher, paid tribute to her by calling her a flamboyant name in Sindhi poetry and termed her death a huge loss to Sindhi literature. A large number of people belonging to different walks of life attended her funeral, and she was later laid to rest in a local graveyard in Hyderabad.
