Tasveeri Kahani Silsila: Sheema Kermani

Description

The graphic novel is a popular genre of literature in English and many other languages. However, so far there were no graphic novels in Urdu (or Pakistan’s regional languages). Graphic stories are a good way to encourage towards reading children and young adults who tend to stay away from books.

Oxford University Press Pakistan has initiated the Tasveeri Kahani Silsila, a series of graphics stories on the lives of leading personalities of Pakistan. The rich pictorial presentation of text in this genre is fascinating for children, and effective in attracting reluctant readers to the world of books.

Sheema Kermani is a classical dancer, drama artist, and women’s rights activist. The book is an account of her many faceted personality. Readers are told about her love for music, dance, and drama and her important contribution in the field of performing arts. Sheema Kermani’s role in setting up of a dance academy and creating awareness about human rights issues through dramas and street theatre have been highlighted in this graphic novel about her life and work.

Author Biography

Rumana Husain is a writer, illustrator, and a freelance contributor to national dailies and magazines. She has been an innovative school head and teacher-trainer. She is an Honorary Director on the Board of the Children’s Literature Festival (CLF), Honorary General Secretary of the Karachi Conference Foundation, and Founding Member of the ‘I am Karachi’ Society. She has written and illustrated over 60 children’s books and developed many teachers’ manuals. She won the 4th UBL-Jang Literary Excellence Award for Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan which is a part of this graphic stories series.