Hamida Banu teaches Urdu language and literature at the University of California, Berkeley. She received her M.A in Philosopy from Rajasthan University and an advanced degree in Urdu from Aligarh University. She is a renowned reciter of Urdu Poetry. She offers Urdu Poetry classes at home on a voluntary basis. She has produced two tapes, Parindey ki Faryada and Banjara. Tapes available upon request.