The great lady poet of Bangladesh(Begum Sufia Kamal)

Begum Sufia Kamal is a renowned poet, writer, feminist and a leading figure in the women's progress movement in modern Bangladesh. Although she is a poet, everyone has another identity - Janani Sahasika. Sufia Kamal is one of the women who have contributed to the advancement of the nation throughout the ages.

He was born on 20 June 1911 at his uncle's house in Shaistabad, Barisal. His father's name was Syed Abdul Bari and his mother was Syeda Sabera Khatun. Sufia Kamal's father left home when she was seven years old. The beginning of life was not at all pleasant for the poet Sufia. Women were very backward in the society then. At the time of Sufia's birth, Bengali Muslim women had to live under house arrest. Strict curtains were in vogue. The girls had no access to education. In that hostile environment, Sufia Kamal did not have the opportunity for formal education.

"In our age, we used to play with puppets. In this age, you have to study at that age. When we flew under the sky, only kites now sail tomorrow's ship, Gagan Juri" (part of today's children's poetry book).

In those days it was customary for the daughters of a noble family not to go out of the house, their work was only in the inner court. Little Sufia could not accept this rule at all. He did not want to be prepared to live in a closed room with four walls. His mind could not adapt to the society. His mother was from the Nawab family of Shaistabad, so the language of the family was Urdu. Bengali language was banned. In such a situation, only his mother was the inspiration of the poet. Mama's house had a big library of her great uncle, and with her mother's encouragement she had the opportunity to read books from there. Poet Sufia gradually developed herself by self-education in her life under house arrest.

Poet Sufia Kamal's life began to change direction after meeting another majestic woman, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain. Begum Rokeya's attitude towards women's awakening, philosophy and love for literature greatly moved Sufia in her childhood. She married her cousin Syed Nehal Hossain at the age of 13 according to the rules of a conservative family. Husband Nehal Hossain became an unexpected blessing in Sufia's life. Seeing his wife's interest, he encouraged her in various ways. In 1923 he wrote his first story 'Sainik Badhu'.

She joined the organization 'Establishment of Islam in Anjumane Khawatin' and worked for women's education. In addition to increasing social awareness, he also practiced literature. He has published 20 books. In 1932, her husband Nehal Hossain died suddenly. The turning point in his life changed, but he did not stop. He was instrumental in the 1971 war. After partition in 1947, he moved with his family from Calcutta to Dhaka. He actively participated in the language movement.

He became involved in a movement organized by the government of Pakistan in 1971 to protest the ban on Rabindra Sangeet. In the nineties of the twentieth century, Sufia Kamal led the movement for women's activism in general elections to overthrow dictatorships and establish democracy.

Later, when the elected government started ignoring the demands of the women's equal rights movement, Sufia Kamal led the women's movement like an intruder. In 1980, she formed the Mahila Parishad. She has also held important positions in the Women's Rehabilitation Board, Bangladesh Rural Development Committee and Dustha Rehabilitation Organization, Chayanat, Bangladesh Disability Foundation, Women's Welfare Organization.

He also demanded that the first women's hostel of Dhaka University be named 'Rokeya Hall'. She has also played a brilliant role in the struggle for women's awakening and equal rights of women in independent Bangladesh. He has fought all his life against communalism and fundamentalism. Participated in every progressive movement.

Sufia Kamal's life also had many ups and downs. Yet he did not stop, he started a movement. She has campaigned for the liberation of women from political, social, economic exploitation, deprivation, discrimination, etc. against conservatism, dowry, oppression, polygamy, arbitrary divorce, rape, etc. against women in the society of Bangladesh. He has won more than 50 awards.

Sufia Kamal died on November 20, 1999. He was buried with full state honors. She is the first woman in Bangladesh to get this honor. Sufia Kamal, the name is associated with the innumerable emotions, feelings, the simplicity of love and affection and the morale to strengthen the self-confidence of women.

He was not only a poet but also a literary, philosophical, teacher and militant leader. Born in a closed society on June 20, 1911, the path of emancipation shown to women by her struggle for a women's society will always be remembered by all. The poet is not dead, so he is still in the minds of readers at every step. Everyone will remember him with respect on his birthday.