M umtaz Shireen (1924–1973), born a hundred years ago on September 12, is highly regarded for her Urdu short stories and literary criticism. Her , and the are highly valued in Urdu literature. Her translation into Urdu and collections of her critical essays - , and are also landmark publications.
Her short stories stand out in Urdu literature due to her distinctive style. Mumtaz Shireen’s mastery of Urdu, English, Persian, Hindi, Kannada, Turkish and French was a factor in her Mumtaz Shireen inspired many to explore, research and inquire. She unlocked some closed doors and introduced the Urdu literary community to some new debates.
She also supported emerging writers. Mumtaz Shireen maintained high standards and exhibited a refined attitude that impressed fiction writers, readers and critics. Shireen introduced new perspectives to the Urdu short story, from experimenting with technique to developing unique styles.
Her stories are significant because she employs a rich vocabulary, reflecting most modern trends and movements in international short story writing. She had a keen awareness of contemporary issues and challenges. Hser use of dialogue and her command over tone and style stand out prominently in her short stories.
Mumtaz Shireen did not always conform to textbook conventions. Still, she consistently wrote with a sense of balance and moderation. In her critiques of short stories, inspired by modern literary movements, she wrote about various techniques observed in .