Rekha Waheed
Encyclopedia
Rekha Waheed is a British
writer
and novelist. She is best known as the author of "The A-Z Guide To Arranged Marriage."
London
, United Kingdom
to parents of Bangladeshi
origin. She completed her MSc
in Economic Development
at the School of Oriental and African Studies
, University of London
, and during her time there held the position of treasurer of the Islamic Society. Whilst pursuing her passion for writing she travelled the world as a Corporate Consultant. However, she soon caught the attention of a literary agent delivering public readings at the Harrow Writers’ club.
In June 2005, she co-founded Monsoon Press Publisher with Rabina Khan. Through Monsoon Press, she is also working with the Arts Council and Penguin
to raise the profile of British Ethnic and Muslim literature. She has previously worked as a columnist for Bangla Mirror and sat on the board of Women in Publishing. In addition, she has worked voluntarily as a treasurer for a Bengali community organisation. She is currently represented by MBA Literary Agency.
Waheed read at the London 2006 and Spitalfields 2007 Literacy Event. In 2006, she was cited by Asian Woman magazine as one of the "Faces to Watch" and one of the fastest rising British Asian
s in media. She is regular guest on the BBC Asian Network
, women’s programmes, and literary and social events to debate social issues affecting British Asians in the west.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and novelist. She is best known as the author of "The A-Z Guide To Arranged Marriage."
Background and education
Waheed was born in WestWest (London sub region)
The West is a sub-region of the London Plan corresponding to the London Boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon and Hounslow. The sub region was established in 2004 and was adjusted in 2008 to include Kensington and Chelsea. The west has a population of 1.6 million and...
London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to parents of Bangladeshi
Bengali people
The Bengali people are an ethnic community native to the historic region of Bengal in South Asia. They speak Bengali , which is an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern Indian subcontinent, evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In their native language, they are referred to as বাঙালী...
origin. She completed her MSc
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in Economic Development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
at the School of Oriental and African Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, and during her time there held the position of treasurer of the Islamic Society. Whilst pursuing her passion for writing she travelled the world as a Corporate Consultant. However, she soon caught the attention of a literary agent delivering public readings at the Harrow Writers’ club.
Career
In October 2005, she released her debut novel, "The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage." She released her second novel "Saris and the City" in April 2010, followed by her third novel "Master of Poverty" in June 2010, and then her fourth novel "My Bollywood Wedding" in December 2010. Her distinct style has been described as bridging the gap between old world traditions with new world savvy.In June 2005, she co-founded Monsoon Press Publisher with Rabina Khan. Through Monsoon Press, she is also working with the Arts Council and Penguin
Penguin Group
The Penguin Group is a trade book publisher, the largest in the world , having overtaken Random House in 2009. The Penguin Group is the name of the incorporated division of parent Pearson PLC that oversees these publishing operations...
to raise the profile of British Ethnic and Muslim literature. She has previously worked as a columnist for Bangla Mirror and sat on the board of Women in Publishing. In addition, she has worked voluntarily as a treasurer for a Bengali community organisation. She is currently represented by MBA Literary Agency.
Waheed read at the London 2006 and Spitalfields 2007 Literacy Event. In 2006, she was cited by Asian Woman magazine as one of the "Faces to Watch" and one of the fastest rising British Asian
British Asian
British Asian is a term used to describe British citizens who descended from mainly South Asia, also known as South Asians in the United Kingdom...
s in media. She is regular guest on the BBC Asian Network
BBC Asian Network
BBC Asian Network is a British radio station serving those originating from and around the Indian subcontinent. The music and news comes out of the main urban areas where there are significant communities with these backgrounds. The station has production centres in Birmingham, Leicester and London...
, women’s programmes, and literary and social events to debate social issues affecting British Asians in the west.
Novels
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2005 | The A-Z Guide to Arranged Marriage |
| 2010 | Saris and the City (Little Black Dress) |
| 2010 | Master of Poverty |
| 2010 | My Bollywood Wedding |
External links
- Monsoon Press
- Rekha Waheed. The Asian Writer. 8 February 2011