Top awards-winning writer Rabeya Khatun dies aged 85

Writer Rabeya Khatun, who won highest civilian awards Swadhinata Padak and Ekushey Padak for her works, has died of heart disease. She was 85.

She passed away at her home in Dhaka’s Banani at 5pm on Sunday, said Channel-I, the private TV network where her son Faridur Reza Sagar is managing director.

The author of more than 50 novels had been suffering from heart disease.

Besides writing, Rabeya had worked as a teacher and a journalist. She was member of the Bangla Academy’s council.

Rabeya received the Ekushey Padak in 1993 and the Swadhinata Padak in 2017 for her contribution to literature.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have condoled the passing of Rabeya.

The family said the mortal remains of Rabeya will be kept at the Bangla Academy premises from 12pm to 1pm on Monday for the people to pay their last respects to her. She will be buried at the Banani Graveyard after a Namaaz-e-Janaza at the Channel-i premises.

Rabeya hails from Shologhar village in Munshiganj’s Sreenagar. Born in Dhaka’s Bikrampur on Dec 27, 1935 at his maternal uncle’s home, she spent her childhood with her family in Old Dhaka’s Raisaheb Bazar.

She married ATM Fazlul Haque on Jul 23, 1952. Their other children are Keka Ferdousi, Faridur Reza Prabal and Farhana Kakoly.

Rabeya, who was from a conservative Muslim family, could not study in a college after completing school education, but it could not stop her from writing with short stories becoming her first works in the 50s. Her first novel is “Nirashraya”.      

She got acquainted with Fazlul, film director and editor, while working in Jahanara Imam’s weekly “Khawatin”. Later, she began working with her husband in a film magazine and continued writing for it. She had edited a monthly for women, “Angana”, in the 50s.

Her novels include “Madhumati”, “Saheb Bazar”, “Ananta Anwesha”, “Rajarbagh Shalimarbagh”, “Mon Ek Shwet Kapoti”, “Ferari Surja”, “Onekjoner Ekjon”, “Diboso Rojoni”, “Sei Ek Bosonte”, “Mohar Ali”, “Nil Nishith”, “Bayanno Golir Ek Goli”, and “Pakhi Sob Kore Rob”.

For children, she wrote “Dussahosik Ovijan”, “Sumon O Mithun Golpo”, “Titumirer Bansher Kella”, and “Ekattorer Nishan”, among many. She also wrote travelogues.

Rabeya Khatun receives the 'Chandrabati Swarnapadak 2008' award at a ceremony at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: Nashirul Islam/ bdnews24.com/ Dhaka, May 23, 2009

Her stories were used for films “Megher Por Megh”, “Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti”, and “Dhrubotara”. Many dramas are also based on her writings.

She had worked as member of the Jatiya Grantha Kendro, National Film Awards jury board, and the council of the Shishu Academy.

The writer was involved with Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha, Dhaka Ladies Club, Business and Professional Women’s Club, Bangladesh Lekhok Shibir, Bangladesh Kotha Shilpi Sangsad and Mohila Samiti.

She won many other awards, including Bangla Academy Literature Award, Humayun Quadir Memorial Award, Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha Award, Nasiruddin Gold medal, Jasimuddin Award, Sher-e-Bangla Gold Medal, and Chandrabati Gold Medal.