MANY OLD STUDENTS IN KASHMIR STILL REMEMBER PROF. ZIA DURRANI ,ENGLISH TEACHER IN SRINAGAR'S WOMEN COLLEGE

                                                                                  

                                         

RUSSIAN LEADER MARSHAL BULGANIN HONOURING  KASHMIRI ARTISTS AFTER WITNESSING POET DINA NATH NADIM'S OPERA "  BOMBUR TA YEMBERZAL  OR  " THE BUMBLE BEE AND THE NARCISSUS FLOWER " AT NEDOU'S HOTEL  SRINAGÂR ..NOVEMBER 1955..
( Prof. Zia Durrani is first from the right )

Prof. Zia Durrani left kashmir in 1963. She taught at Women's College , Srinagar. She was born and brought up  in kashmir. She had her education in  Kashmir and England . She married a man from UK and moved to Chennai  for some time .  Later she moved to UK and finally to the  US. in 1976. She  lived in various places before settling down  in   South Orange. Her children are also settled in the US.She was also  involved with theatre and ECS ( Ethical  Culture Society) work in the US.

 In kashmir , many students of Women's College,Srinagar  remember  her as an excellent teacher of English who was also a talented actor and dancer  . Being highly talented ,  Shri Mohan Lal Aima , the music composer of the opera  "Bombur  Ta Yemberzal " selected her for the role of Yemberzal .

Fiza Durrani ,younger sister of Prof. Zia Durrani was a doctor. Arjmand, their younger brother was a violin player . The Durranis were  talented and creative .

                                     

( 1954 , Republic Day celebrations at New Delhi. Artists from Kashmir and Zia Durani in a photo with Nehru)

 Adds  Prof. Jaya Parimu  

" She taught English and took keen interest in all the cultural programmes of college .She taught me when I joined for full four years ,before she settled in her  marriage . A very talented woman and a grand   teacher  "

About these mini posts relating to  kashmir in particular , i add lines from a Gazal of noted urdu poet Zubair Rizvi..

Hai Dhoop kabhi Saaya, Shola  hai kabhi shabanam
Lagtaa hai Mujhe Tum sa dil ka to har ek Mausam
Beetay Huve lamhon ki Khushboo hai Mere Ghar mein
Book Rack pe Rakhein hain Yaadon Ke Kayee album.

( Avtar Mota)


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