Meet
Begum Iqbal Bano
Begum Iqbal Bano was the mother of noted lyricist and poet Irshad Kamil.
The foundation is a note of gratitude from the poet, thanking his mother for sowing the early seeds of art and literature in his mind and environment.
Begum Iqbal was neither highly educated nor a skilled professional at any level; she was a mere homemaker. Yet through her demeanour, she exhibited values and thoughts that stuck onto the minds of her children and weaved their dreams, values and social consciousness.
On a subliminal level, the foundation is also a prelude sung to pay homage to all the unknown, unrewarded and unsung mothers of the world who dedicate a lifetime in nurturing and sculpting the future. There is only one Begum Iqbal. But there are millions like her and we strive to make each of them count.
All About Us
The Begum Iqbal Bano Foundation is a non-profit organisation committed to upholding and honouring the cultural and literary heritage of our nation, with a primary focus on Punjabi and Hindi.
Working through multifarious directions, the foundation aims to preserve the age-old heritage of these languages and, at the same time, act as a torchbearer for the future connoisseurs.
Through our initiatives, both on ground as well as online, we aim to bring together young poets, veteran scholars, regional artists, and language enthusiasts to commence on a journey that encourages thought, fosters expression and bolsters their connection with whoever they aspire to be.
In short, our dream is to create a tomorrow where Punjabi and Hindi are respected and celebrated for their roots, richness and diversity.
Begum Iqbal Bano Foundation
Mumbai, Maharashtra
India