Poet Sufia Kamal: The Deat of a Freedom Fighter at the Age of 90
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Sufia Kamal dead
Staff Reporter
Poet Begum Sufia Kamal
Poet Begum Sufia Kamal, a renowned figure in Bengalee literature and an
outstanding cultural personality, passed away at Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujib Medical University Hospital at 8.50 AM on Saturday. She was 90.
Begum Sufia Kamal was admitted to the hospital on Thursday with a
number of complications. Doctors said she was suffering from chronic
renal failure, dehydration and other health hazards.
As the news of her death broke, people from all shades of life gathered
at the hospital to pay their last respect to the great poet, who had
become a legend in the life time for her glorious role as the top
cultural personality in preserving the spirit of the liberation war and
protecting social justice for the women. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
rushed to the hospital on hearing the sad news. Sheikh Hasina stood in
silence beside the body of Sufia Kamal for some time and paid her
respect to the deceased.
The body of the poet was later taken to her Dhanmondi residence where a
large number of people gathered to see the glimpse of the poet.
After Namaz-e-Janaza at her residence the body of the poet was Kept in
BIRDEM Hospital till her younger son arrives from the United States.
She would be buried on November 24 at the Azimpur graveyard as per her
wish where one of her sons was buried after unnatural death.
Before her burial on November 24, the body will be taken to the central
office of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad at Shegun Bagicha. At 1430 hrs,
the body would be taken to the Bangla Academy premises for five minutes
on way to Central Shaheed Minar where visitors will pay their last
respect to her till 5 PM.
The poet's body would be taken to Jatiya Eidgah where her second Namaz-
e-Janaza would be held after Maghrib prayers. President Justice
Shahabuddin Ahmed visited the Dhanmondi residence of poet Begum Sufia
Kamal to pay his last respect. The President stayed there for some time
and prayed for the peace of the departed soul.
Political Advisor to the Prime Minister, Dr S A Malek, State Minister
for Information Prof Abu Sayeed, State Minister for Youth, Sports and
Cultural Affairs Obaidul Quader, parliament members, Dhaka University
Vice-Chancellor Prof A K Azad Chowdhury, Press Secretary to the Prime
Minister Jawadul Karim and a crowd of cultural activists were present.
Meanwhile, a 1001-member national mourning committee has been formed
with Professor Kabir Chowdhury as the convener to mourn the death of
the poet. The committee will organize a discussion at Kendriya Shaheed
Minar at 3 PM on November 26. Begum Sufia Kamal left behind three
daughters, two sons and a host of relatives, admirers and well wishers.
She rose to the fame in her youth for her poems and writings. 'Sanjer
Maya' and 'Keyakata' are among her literary works that brought her to
the limelight. A respected lady, Begum Sufia Kamal also involved
herself in all the popular movements and stood for emancipation of
women. She was a true follower of Rokeya Begum, who poineered women's
education in this soil.
Born on June 20, 1911, at her maternal grandfather's house in
Sayestaganj in Barisal, Sufia Kamal was the only daughter of eminent
lawyer Syed Abdul Bari of Shilaur village of the then Tripura (now
Comilla) and Syeda Sabera Khatun. Her maternal grandfather Syed Moazzem
Hossain had inheritance of Nawab Shayesta Khan.
Her literary works include her life sketch 'Ekale Amader Kal' and
"Ekatturer Dairy." Being a member of aristocratic family, Sufia Kamal
did not have opportunity for formal education but she educated herself
from her maternal uncle's library with encouragement and assistance
from her mother.
She was first married at the age of 11 years with her cousin Syed Nehal
Hossain when he was a law student. He died in 1932 leaving her and a
daughter. Poet Sufia Kamal was again married with Kamaluddin Ahmed in
1937 who also died.
Her first story 'Sainik Bondhu' was published in 'Torun' magazine at
the age of 14 years in Barisal and her poem 'Basanti' published in
Sawgat were widely acclaimed.
She also wrote various rhymes and poem for children. Some of her poems
and books were translated in English and Russia.
The notable publications of Begum Sufia Kamal are: Keyar Kanta (1937),
Sanjher Maya (1938), Maya Kazal (1951), Mon O Zibon (1957), Prashanti-O-
Prarthana (1958), Udatta Prithibi (1965), Itol Bitol (1965), Diwan
(1966), Sovieter Dinguli (1968), Avijatrik (1969), Mrittikar Ghran
(1972), More Jaduder Samadhi Pore (1972), Swanirbachita Kabita Sankalon
(1976), Naol Kishorer Barbare (1981), Ekale Amader Kal (1988) and
Ekattorer Diary (1989).
Poet Sufia Kamal was involved with all democratic movements, including
Swadeshi Andolan. She was an active worker of Anjumane Khawatin,
established by Begum Rokeya in Calcutta in 1930s, and conducted shelter
homes at Culcutta during the communal riot in 1946-47.
The eminent poet was also involved in Language Movement in 1952. She
led different women processions and rally in Dhaka in 1952 and 1969
during mass movement against the then autocratic government and in
March 1971 during non-cooperation movement.
She worked for the freedom fighters and the oppressed women even after
threat and repression by the occupation force during the Liberation War.
A leader of women resurrection, Sufia Kamal was also named the convener
of the Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee but she withdrew herself
from the post due to her illness. She was closely associated with a
large number of philanthropic organisations, including Mahila Parishad.
Begum Sufia Kamal was the founder president of Bangladesh Mahila
Parishad established in 1970. She engaged herself with various cultural
organisations. Till her death, she was the president of Mohila
Parishad, Chhayanat, Disabled Foundation and Rabindra Sangeet Sammilani
Parishad. She was the founder and principal adviser of Kanchi Kanchar
Mela.
Begum Sufia Kamal was also involved with Ganderia Mohila Samity, Begum
Club, Bulbul Lalitakala Academy, Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha, Bangabandhu
Parishad, Nari Kalyan Sangstha and Rehabilitation Centre, Bangladesh-
Soviet Friendship Society.
The noted poet had got a lot of awards for her literary works. She won
'Tamghaye Imtiaz' in 1960 by the then Pakistan Government, which she
surrendered during the mass movement in 1969.
She won anti-fascist movement award of Checkoslovakia in 1986.
The other awards she son are: Bulbul Lalitakala Academy Award (1959),
Bangla Academy Literature Award (1962), Begum Club Award (1964), Lenin
Gold Medal of Russia (1970), Ekushey Padak (1976), Nurunnesa
Bidyabinodini Gold Medal (1976), Nasiruddin Padak (1977), Sher-e-Bangla
National Literature Award (1977), Rickshaw Labourer Association Award
(1978), Comilla Foundation Padak (1978), Dhaka Ladies' Club Award
(1981), Muktadhara Literature Award (1982), Kathakali Shilpigoshthi
Award (1983), Zebunnisa Mahbubullah Trust Award (1983), Pata Literature
Award (1983).
Various organisations outside the capital also awarded her for her
outstanding works in literacy such as Fulki Children Award (1982),
Shahid Nutan Chandra Singh Smriti Padak (1985), Kabitalap Award (1985),
Ruma Smriti Award (1988), Jasimuddin Padak (1989), Bangladesh Society
of New York Padak (1989), Club of Boston Sanad (1989), Business and
Professional Women's Club Padak (1990) and Mujib Padak (1991).
[The New Nation, Nov. 21, 1999]
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