Who is Ousha Al Suwaidi, Arabian poet Google celebrates?

Google Doodle featured an Arab poet named Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi, also known as Ousha Al Suwaidi, who is considered one of the greatest Nabati poets of the 20th century.

Artist Reem Al Mazrouei is behind the illustration, states Google.

28 November 2011 marks the day her contributions were recognised.

At a prestigious event, several well-known scribes recited Ousha Al Suwaidi’s poetry and poems written in her honor.

The poetry community also established an annual award for female Emirati poets in Ousha Al Suwaidi’s name. A library at the Emirates International School, and a section of the Women’s Museum in Dubai, was also dedicated in her honor.

On 01 January 1920, Ousha, nicknamed ‘Fatat Al Arab’ (The Girl of the Gulf), was born in Al Ain, an Emirate in UAE. Born into a family that loved literature, Ousha grew up immersed in exquisite poetry.

At 15, she gained national recognition for her powerful poetry recitals. Her success in a male-dominated genre opened a door for the next generation of female poets.

The Arabian Gulf and desert landscapes inspired many of her poems, which touch on themes such as love, wisdom, patriotism, and nostalgia.

The poems, written in Nabati, describe her personal experiences in the United Arab Emirates, as well as the country’s rich culture and past.