LAHORE: A reference was held in the memory of noted short story writer and playwright Bano Qudsia at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (Pilac) on Friday.

The reference organised in collaboration with the monthly Bayaz was presided over by veteran columnist Munnu Bhai.

Speaking on the occasion, Munnu Bhai said Raja Gidh was a classic in the realm of Urdu literature. Bano Qudsia was a towering literary personality and would be remembered for ages for her work as a writer.

Pilac Director General Dr Sughra Sadaf said that one could not find anyone in the literary circle of the samelevel as Bano Qudsia and Ashfaq Ahmed. She said Qudsia led a great life and always guided and showed affection towards junior writers.

Novelist Salma Awan said that the prose written by Qudsia was powerful and heart touching.

`When I started reading Raja Gidh I could not resist reading it all in one go.

She proposed that Bano Qudsia and Ashfaq Ahmed`s Model Town residence should be turned into a museum as well as that of Intizar Hussain.

Imran Manzoor of Bayaz said that Qudsia took Urdu literature to new heights. She had a prominent place in the literary world and penned excellent long plays for PTV.

Qudsia`s son Aseer Ahmed Khan said that his mother was always lovingand compassionate even to those who had a different opinion from her. `She taught us how to lead life in a proper manner,` he added.

Former radio producer Riaz Mehmood read out an article on Qudsia shedding light on her works and life.

Dr Ajmal Niazi said Qudsla had contributed greatly to literature.

Amjad Islam Amjad said though he was at that time a young writer, but Ashfaq Ahmed asked him to write a theme song for his PTV series Aik Muhabbat Sau Afsanay. He said that through her writings Qudsia rightly portrayed the psyche of middle class women.

At the end, Manzoor presented a portrait of Qudsia to her son Aseer.