Literature:
Kamal's literary career took off after her first poetry publication. Her first book of poems Sanjher Maya (Evening Beautiful) came out in 1938, bearing a foreword from Kazi Nazrul Islam and attracting praise from critics, not least of who was the father figure of Bangla literature, Rabindranath. Sanjher Maya was translated in Russian in 1984In 1937 she published her first collection of short stories, Keyar Kanta (Thorns of the Keya tree).
Though she called herself a romantic poet, her work more and more reflected the struggles to preserve the Bengali language and culture and to fight Pakistani rulers. During Bangladesh's struggle for independence from Pakistan in the early 1970s she worked to help women hurt by the war. She also worked with an organization to try to bring to justice those Pakistani officials whom the Bangladeshis considered war criminals.
In later life, she made women's rights her top priority and headed Bangladesh's largest women's organization for many years. She did not see the oppression of women as mainly a class issue.
Activism:
In 1947, when "Shaptahik Begum" was first published, Sufia Kamal became its first editor. In October of that year after the partition of India she came to Dhaka. During a huge clash between Hindu and Muslim of that time Kamal worked for their friendship and joined in Peace Committee. In 1948, when "Purbo Pakistan Mohila Committee" formed, she became its chairman. Kamal's activism continued in 1952, with the Language Movement. In 1961, when the Pakistani government banned Rabindra Sangeet (Songs of Rabindranath), she became involved in the movement among Bengalis that ensued in 1961. During the mass uprising in 1969, which demanded the resignation of General Ayub Khan, she promoted the cause by forming Mohila Sangram Parishad (Women's Struggle Group). She was involved in the 1971 Liberation War and all later movements against dictatorial regimes. Kamal was also instrumental in getting the first women's dormitory of Dhaka University to be named Rokeya Hall, after Begum Rokeya.
Kamal's literary career took off after her first poetry publication. Her first book of poems Sanjher Maya (Evening Beautiful) came out in 1938, bearing a foreword from Kazi Nazrul Islam and attracting praise from critics, not least of who was the father figure of Bangla literature, Rabindranath. Sanjher Maya was translated in Russian in 1984In 1937 she published her first collection of short stories, Keyar Kanta (Thorns of the Keya tree).
Though she called herself a romantic poet, her work more and more reflected the struggles to preserve the Bengali language and culture and to fight Pakistani rulers. During Bangladesh's struggle for independence from Pakistan in the early 1970s she worked to help women hurt by the war. She also worked with an organization to try to bring to justice those Pakistani officials whom the Bangladeshis considered war criminals.
In later life, she made women's rights her top priority and headed Bangladesh's largest women's organization for many years. She did not see the oppression of women as mainly a class issue.
Activism:
In 1947, when "Shaptahik Begum" was first published, Sufia Kamal became its first editor. In October of that year after the partition of India she came to Dhaka. During a huge clash between Hindu and Muslim of that time Kamal worked for their friendship and joined in Peace Committee. In 1948, when "Purbo Pakistan Mohila Committee" formed, she became its chairman. Kamal's activism continued in 1952, with the Language Movement. In 1961, when the Pakistani government banned Rabindra Sangeet (Songs of Rabindranath), she became involved in the movement among Bengalis that ensued in 1961. During the mass uprising in 1969, which demanded the resignation of General Ayub Khan, she promoted the cause by forming Mohila Sangram Parishad (Women's Struggle Group). She was involved in the 1971 Liberation War and all later movements against dictatorial regimes. Kamal was also instrumental in getting the first women's dormitory of Dhaka University to be named Rokeya Hall, after Begum Rokeya.
Awards:
on around 50 awards during her lifetime. An incomplete list:
Bangla Academy Award for Literature (1962),
Ekushey Medal (1976)
Jatyo Kabita Parishad Award (National Poetry Council Award, 1995)
Begum Rokeya Medal (1996)
Deshbandhu CR Das Gold Medal (1996)
Independence Day Award (1997)
Lenin Centenary Jubilee Medal (1970) from the Soviet Union
Czechoslovakia Medal (1986)
Works
Mrttikar Ghran (The Fragrance of Earth)
Ekattarer Diary (Diary of '71)
Benibinyas Samay To Ar Nei (No More Time for Braiding Your Hair)
Ekale Amader Kal (In This Time, Our Time)
on around 50 awards during her lifetime. An incomplete list:
Bangla Academy Award for Literature (1962),
Ekushey Medal (1976)
Jatyo Kabita Parishad Award (National Poetry Council Award, 1995)
Begum Rokeya Medal (1996)
Deshbandhu CR Das Gold Medal (1996)
Independence Day Award (1997)
Lenin Centenary Jubilee Medal (1970) from the Soviet Union
Czechoslovakia Medal (1986)
Works
Mrttikar Ghran (The Fragrance of Earth)
Ekattarer Diary (Diary of '71)
Benibinyas Samay To Ar Nei (No More Time for Braiding Your Hair)
Ekale Amader Kal (In This Time, Our Time)
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