Jahanara Imam
Jahanara Imam | |
---|---|
জাহানারা ইমাম | |
British Indian (1929-1947)
Bangladeshi(1971-1994) | |
Education | MA |
Alma mater | University of Dhaka University of San Diego |
Spouse | |
Children | Shafi Imam Rumi (son) Saif Imam Jami (son) |
Parents |
|
Jahanara Imam (3 May 1929 – 26 June 1994) was a Bangladeshi writer and political activist.[1] She is known for her efforts to bring those accused of committing war crimes in the Bangladesh Liberation War to trial. She has been called "Shaheed Janani" (Mother of Martyrs).[2]
Biography
Imam was born on 3 May 1929 in
After finishing her studies in 1945 in
In 1948, she married Shariful Alam Imam Ahmed, a civil engineer, whom she met in Rangpur while studying at Carmichael College.[6] They settled in Dhaka and she joined Siddheswari Girls School as Head Mistress. She was instrumental in transforming the school one of the top girls' schools in Dhaka.[5]
She was the first editor of the monthly women's magazine called "Khawateen".[5] It started its publication in 1951 and she ran it successfully for several years. In 1960, Imam gave up her job as the head mistress to concentrate on bringing up her two sons Rumi and Jami born in 1951 and 1954 respectively. She said to herself "I have given education to thousands of school children, now I should spend some time to bring up my own children".
During this time Imam finished her master's degree in Bengali language and literature and a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Dhaka in 1962 and 1963 respectively. After that she went back to full-time teaching. From 1966 to 1968 she worked as a lecturer in the Teacher's Training College in Dhaka. From 1970 she also taught for several years on a part-time basis in the Institute of Modern Language at the University of Dhaka.
Imam spent a significant part of her life in education. She visited the US in 1964–65 as a
1971 Liberation War
In 1971, following the Pakistan army crackdown on 25 March, the Bangladesh Liberation War broke out. Many joined the liberation struggle, including Jahanara's elder son Shafi Imam Rumi, who joined the Mukti Bahini, the guerrilla resistance movement. During the war, she wrote a diary on her feelings about the struggle. This later became one of the most important publications about the War of Liberation.
Rumi took part in many actions against Pakistan army. Unfortunately, he was to be picked up by the Pakistani army, never to be seen again. Jahanara's husband and her younger son Jami along with other male members of the family were also picked up for interrogation and were tortured. Her husband Sharif Imam returned home a broken man only to die three days before Bangladesh became free on 16 December 1971[7][8]
Literary career
After Bangladesh achieved independence, Imam started her literary career. During this time she also travelled extensively to Europe, USA and Canada. In 1986 she published her wartime diary
Committee for Eradicating the Killers and Collaborators of '71
As the ruler of Bangladesh, President
Death and legacy
In 1981, Imam was diagnosed with mouth cancer, and operations caused her to have difficulty speaking, she continued to write and continued her involvement with the freedom fighters. She died on 26 June 1994 in Michigan, U.S.[3] She was later buried in Dhaka.
Her death anniversary is observed in Bangladesh.
Awards
- Award from Bangladesh Writer's Association (1988)
- Bangla Academy Literary Award (1991)
- Independence Day Award(1997)
- Rokeya Padak (1998)
Literary works
- Anya Jiban (1985) (Other life)
- Ekattorer Dingulee (1986) (The days of 1971)[6]
- Birshrestha (1985) (The Bravest)[1]
- Jiban Mrityu (1988) (Life and death)[1]
- Chirayata Sahitya (1989)[1]
- Buker Bhitare Agun (1990) (Fire in my heart)[1]
- Nataker Abasan (1990) (End of drama)[1]
- Dui Meru (1990) (Two poles)[1]
- Nihsabga Pine (1990)[1]
- )[1]
- r)[1]
- )[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Islam, Sirajul (2012). "Imam, Jahanara". In Islam, Sirajul; Kabir, Ahmad (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
- ^ "Portrait of Shaheed Janani Jahanara Imam". The Daily Star. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ a b "Jahanara Imam's 20th death anniversary today". Dhaka Tribune. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "Jahanara Imam's death anniversary on Wednesday". The Dhaka Tribune. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Rahman, Osama (10 December 2013). "Revisiting the Revolution". The Daily Star. Retrieved 5 April 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Hensher, Philip (1 March 2013). "Bangladesh's bestseller about its brutal birth". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ Karmakar, Prasanta (30 October 2009). মুক্তিযুদ্ধের নিভৃত এক সহযাত্রী. Prothom-Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- ^ "Jahanara Imam: An Unstoppable, Uniting Force". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "Another step towards justice". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ Tithi, Naznin. "Gano Adalot". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ISBN 9780231512558.
- ^ "Return of that famous letter". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "Jahanara Imam's death anniversary today". New Age. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ a b Khan, Tamanna (18 July 2013). "They now can rest in peace". The Daily Star. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
- ^ Bashar, Reazul; Ahmed, Mustak (20 July 2008). "Humayun Ahmed draws flak from literati". Bangladesh News 24. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- ^ "19th death anniversary of Jahanara Imam observed". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "Derogatory comment on Jahanara Imam". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "They now can rest in peace". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
- ^ "Hope people will give a befitting reply". The Daily Star. Retrieved 8 March 2016.