{{short description|Pakistani poet and writer (born 1950)}} {{Infobox person | name = Neelam Bashir | image = | alt = | caption = | native_name = نیلم بشیر | native_name_lang = | birth_name = Neelam Ahmad Bashir | birth_date = {{birth date and age |1950|01|17|df=y}} | birth_place = Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan | other_names = ''Neelum Basheer'' | education = Lahore College for Women | alma_mater = University of the Punjab | occupation = {{Hlist | Fiction writer | Novelist | Poet | Travelogue writer | Critic | Researcher }} | years_active = 1970 – present | spouse = {{marriage|Siraj Siddiqui|1972}} | parents = Ahmad Bashir (father) <br> Mehmooda Bashir (mother) | children = 3 | relatives = Musarrat Nazir (aunt) <br> Parveen Atif (aunt) <br> Sumbul Shahid (sister) <br> Bushra Ansari (sister) <br> Asma Abbas (sister) <br> Zara Noor Abbas (niece) | honours = ''Pride of Performance'' (2023)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nation.com.pk/24-Mar-2023/punjab-governor-confers-pakistan-civil-awards-to-40-prominent-personalties|title=Punjab Governor confers Pakistan Civil Awards to 40 prominent personalties|website=The Nation|date=March 24, 2023}}</ref> }}

'''Neelam Bashir''' (Urdu: نیلم بشیر; born January 17, 1950) is a Pakistani fiction writer, novelist, poet, travelogue writer, critic, and researcher who writes in both Urdu and Punjabi.<ref name=DawnNews>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1811278|title=Punjab Notes: Neelum's novel and Bharomal's folk songs|website=Dawn News|date=February 5, 2024}}</ref> She is known for her candid and fearless writing on sensitive social issues, particularly those concerning the female experience in a patriarchal society.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jang.com.pk/news/882796|title=ابا کی "سرکاری بیٹی" کے طور پر مشہور تھی|website=Jang News|date=February 14, 2021}}</ref>

== Early life and education == Neelam Ahmad Bashir was born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, on January 17, 1950.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She is the eldest daughter of the acclaimed journalist, writer, intellectual, and filmmaker Ahmad Bashir and his wife Mehmooda Begum.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1342857|title=Literary Notes: PAL’s three new books on Pakistani writers|website=Dawn|date=July 3, 2017}}</ref> Her paternal aunt, Parveen Atif, was also an Urdu short story writer.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> Her sisters are the well-known television personalities Bushra Ansari, Sumbul Shahid, and Asma Abbas.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/>

She grew up in a liberal and culturally rich household in Lahore, where her parents encouraged their children to be expressive and intellectually curious.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She received her early education from Lady Griffin Railway Girls High School, graduating in 1966.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lahore College for Women in 1970 and a master's degree in psychology from University of the Punjab in 1972.<ref name=TheNewsInternational>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1293967-the-storytellers-spell|title=The storyteller's spell|website=The News International|date=March 23, 2025}}</ref>

After her marriage to Dr. Siraj Siddiqui in 1972, she moved to the United States, where she lived for fourteen years.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She reportedly faced challenges pursuing her writing during this period due to her husband's disapproval.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> Upon returning to Pakistan, she established herself in the literary scene.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She credits the renowned Urdu writer Mumtaz Mufti as a significant mentor who inspired her to pursue writing professionally.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://razarumi.com/a-universe-with-four-moons/|title=A universe with four moons|website=The Friday Times|date=November 18, 2011}}</ref>

== Career == Bashir is a prominent figure in contemporary Urdu literature. Her work is noted for its exploration of the complex issues related to the female psyche and social realities.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She approaches her subjects with a modern, liberal, and impartial perspective, advocating for principles of feminism and humanism.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/>

Her writing is often described as bold, honest, dynamic, and insightful, tackling controversial subjects without fear.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She delves deep into the inner complexities of her characters, looking beyond external markers to explore their humanity.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> Her book ''Chaar Chand'', a collection of autobiographical sketches about her life, family, and friends, is particularly noted for its candidness.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/>

In addition to her literary pursuits, she has also worked in the advertising industry, writing Urdu copy, and has compiled a book of her parents' memoirs.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> Her work has been translated into other languages, including Hindi and Arabic.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/>

== Personal life == Neelam Ahmad Bashir married Dr. Siraj Siddiqui in 1972 and subsequently moved to the United States with him.<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> She divides her time between Pakistan and the United States, as all three of her children, a son, Humayun Sheikh, and two daughters, reside in the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefridaytimes.com/26-Sep-2014/i-know-how-men-in-exile-feed-on-dreams|title='I know how men in exile feed on dreams'|website=The Friday Times|date=September 26, 2014}}</ref><ref name=TheNewsInternational/>

== Awards and recognition == * Her book ''Taoos Faqat Rung'' was awarded by the Khalid Ahmad Literary Society.<ref name=Rekhta/> * She was also a recipient of the "Katha Saman" award from the Almi Adbi Tanzeem of India for her remarkable work.<ref name=Rekhta>{{cite web|url=https://www.rekhta.org/authors/neelum-ahmad-basheer/profile|title=Neelam Ahmad Bashir|website=Rekhta Foundation|date=June 23, 2022}}</ref> * She was honoured with ''Pride of Performance'' by Government of Pakistan in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1743854|title=Civil awards conferred on 40 personalities|website=Dawn News|date=March 24, 2023}}</ref>

== Bibliography == Neelam Ahmad Bashir has authored nearly ten books, including short story collections, a novel, essays, and travelogues.<ref name=DawnNews/> * ''Gulaboon Wali Gali'' (Short stories)<ref name=VoiceofAmerica>{{cite web|url=https://www.urduvoa.com/a/neelam-ahmed-bashir-31mar12-145400275/1349678.html|title=نیلم احمد بشیر: افسانہ نگار و شاعرہ|website=Voice of America|date=March 31, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://dunya.com.pk/index.php/author/doctor-akhtar-shumar/2014-05-01/6937/11812434|title=گلابوں والی گلی کا اگلا موڑ|website=Dunya News|date=May 1, 2014}}</ref> * ''Jugnoon Kay Qaflay'' (Short stories)<ref name=VoiceofAmerica/> * ''Lay Sans Bhi Ahista'' (Short stories)<ref name=VoiceofAmerica/> * ''Wehshat Hi Sahi'' (Short stories)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailypakistan.com.pk/07-May-2014/99814|title=نیلم احمد بشیر کے تازہ شعری مجموعے "وحشت ہی سہی" کی تقریب پذیرائی|website=Daily Pakistan|date=May 7, 2014}}</ref> * ''Nipal Nama'' (Travelogue)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dailypakistan.com.pk/05-Dec-2015/302785|title=نیلم احمد بشیر۔۔۔ ایک بولڈ رائٹر!|website=Daily Pakistan|date=December 5, 2015}}</ref> * ''Situmgur Setember'' (Travelogue)<ref name=VoiceofAmerica/> * ''Eik Thi Malika'' (Short stories)<ref name=VoiceofAmerica/> * ''Chaar Chand'' (Autobiographical sketches/essays)<ref name=TheNewsInternational/> * ''Taoos Faqat Rung'' (Novel)<ref name=Rekhta/> * ''Har Gucha Zakhmaya'' (Collection of Punjabi short stories) * ''Do Tehreerain'' (Main Aur Ahmed Bashir...... Khoon Ki Lakeer) (Compilation of parents' memoirs)

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * [https://www.flickr.com/photos/rashid_ashraf/32101053753/ Neelam Bashir]

{{Pride of Performance for Arts}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bashir, Neelam}} Category:1950 births Category:Nigar Award winners Category:Pakistani dramatists and playwrights Category:Pakistani women dramatists and playwrights Category:Recipients of the Pride of Performance Category:Pakistani feminist writers Category:Pakistani women short story writers Category:People from Bareilly Category:Urdu-language novelists Category:20th-century Pakistani novelists Category:Pakistani women novelists Category:20th-century Pakistani women writers Category:20th-century Pakistani short story writers Category:21st-century Pakistani short story writers Category:21st-century Pakistani novelists Category:Pakistani women poets Category:21st-century Pakistani women writers Category:Urdu-language Pakistani poets Category:Living people