Pakistan’s literatus recognised

My Feudal Lord author Tehmina Durrani awarded for her achievements by the French Government.

Author of controversial autobiography My Feudal Lord, Tehmina Durrani, was recently awarded the prestigious French Award of the Order of Arts and Letters by Ambassador of France to Pakistan Phillippe Thiébaud. The ceremony took place at the French Residence in Islamabad, according to a press release.

The Ambassador highlighted Durrani’s accomplishments as a novelist and social activist before handing over the award. The award ceremony was attended by diplomats, media representatives and friends of Tehmina Durrani.

Durrani’s acclaimed book My Feudal Lord has so far been translated in 39 languages and has received multiple accolades in Pakistan and abroad. Known for highlighting social issues in Pakistan, Durrani’s second book A Mirror to the Blind was a tribute to renowned Pakistani philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Her third book, Blasphemy, which sheds light on the issue of domestic violence against women, also received positive reviews. Her fourth book, Happy Things in Sorrow Times, was launched last year at the Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad. It discusses the impact of the Afghan war on its youth.

The French Award of the Order of Arts and Letters was established by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963 as an effort to recognise outstanding contributions by artists, authors and notables in other art-related fields. Many French nationals have won it in the past along with many foreign writers, artists and musicians from across the globe.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2014.

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