The European writer, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2008, said in an interview, “Much more deserving of this literary award were some other writers, such as the Indian writer, Qurratulain Haider."
This famous writer of ours, also known as "Aini Aapa", said in one of her interviews, “Taaziyo.n, Piiro.n, Faqiron aur dar-gaahon, aur raam-leelaon ka culture humara asl culture hai, aur baDii ne’mat hai, aur ise hargiz hargiz miTne nahin dena chahiye. Na ye bid’at hai na auhaam-parasti, na shirk, na but-parasti, ye mahz humaare awaam kaa tahziibi sar-maaya hai”.
The gist, our diverse traditions constitue our real culture, not our sectarian limits.
Her famous novel “Aag Ka Dariya”, is based on the 2500-year history of the subcontinent, which she herself translated into English.
Did you know that she was greatly devoted towards Hazrat Sultan Muhammad Arif Ali Shah, a spiritual figure of Majhgwan Sharif, Bara Banki. She has alluded to him quite interestingly as 'Miyan Sahib' in her novel 'Gardesh-e-Rang Chaman'.

Rahat Indori is considered by many as the uncrowned king of Mushaira. Born Rahat Quraishi, in 1950, Rahat Indori also made his birthplace Indore all the more memorable. He began writing poetry in 1968, and through his unique style of recitation and heartrending Ghazals, became an indispensable part of the Mushairas. Although he was also a Ph.D. holder, a lecturer, and an extremely learned figure, his fame largely rested upon his Qalandar-like magnetism which became a voice to the emotions of the common people. Succinctly, the truthful and incisive conscience of this poet seldom thought of any diligence to be important. Rahat was also a painter, and this talent of his was also manifest in his poetry, as it filled the canvas of his words with beautiful colors. His actual personality was also truly harmonious to his bobbing style of recitation, a style that was simply inimitable.

Parveen Shakir (1952-1994) reached the pinnacle of fame and popularity in her brief life. In 1976 her first collection of poems ‘Khushbu’ came out, the cover page to which was made by famous artist Sadiqain Sahib. Faiz Ahmad Faiz saw the cover and remarked with a smile:
“Maine to umr bhar mein itni nazmen kahin hain.”, to which Sadiqain replied, “Parvin Shakir ziyada kahti hain magar achha kahti hain.”
The first edition of 'Khushbu' went sold-out in six months. Afterwards, many of her books made the scene.
To everyone’s curiosity, Parveen Shakir, Urdu’s beloved and renowned literary personality, usually took off her footwear whenever she was at a gathering or at her home. Moreover, she also drove her car barefoot.