Sanjida Khatun, a luminary of Bengali cultural, dies at 91

A legendary figure in Bangladesh’s cultural sphere and a personality revered by scholars, Sanjida dedicated her life to exploring and shaping the Bengali identity

Sanjida Khatun, a pioneer of the Bengali cultural movement and a founding member and president of Chhayanaut, has died at the age of 91.

She passed away at 3:10pm on Tuesday while receiving treatment at Dhaka's Square Hospital, where she had been in the ICU for several days, according to her family.

Her son Partha Tanveer Naved said people can pay their last respects to Sanjida at 12:30pm on Wednesday at Chhayanaut.

A towering figure in Bangladesh’s cultural sphere and a personality revered by scholars, Sanjida dedicated her life to exploring and shaping the Bengali identity.

Born on Apr 4, 1933, Sanjida was the daughter of Qazi Motahar Hossain -- founder of the Statistics Department at Dhaka University and a national professor.

She passed away just 10 days before her 92nd birthday. Her departure comes just weeks before Pohela Baishakh -- the Bengali New Year celebration she helped transform into a national cultural festival. This year, for the first time, Sanjida will be absent from Chhayanaut’s iconic New Year celebrations beneath the banyan tree at Ramna.

Sanjida was educated at Kamrunnesa School, Eden College, Dhaka University, and Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Bengali Language and Literature from Dhaka University and later completed her Master’s and PhD from Rabindra Bharati University in 1978. After a distinguished academic career, she retired as a professor from Dhaka University’s Department of Bengali Language and Literature.

Much of her writing focused on Rabindranath Tagore, and she played a vital role in bringing his works closer to the general public.

As a student, she was deeply engaged in both classical music and the 1952 Language Movement. Among her fellow activists, she was affectionately known as "Minu Apa".

Researcher Mofidul Hoque said, “Sanjida Apa’s life was intertwined with Bangladesh’s national awakening. In every sense, they completed each other.” Describing her as “an awe-inspiring figure”, he added: “Very few people can truly be described that way, but she certainly can.”

In the early 1960s, Sanjida Khatun co-founded Chhayanaut, a cultural institution dedicated to nurturing Bengali heritage. Under her leadership, Chhayanaut grew into a world-renowned centre for classical music and dance.

She also co-founded the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad and served as president of Nalonda, a progressive educational institution for children. Additionally, she was an honorary fellow of the Asiatic Society.

A gifted artist, writer, researcher, musicologist, and teacher, Sanjida received numerous honours throughout her life, including India’s Padma Shri -- the country’s fourth-highest civilian award.

She was also a recipient of Bangladesh’s Ekushey Padak, the Bangla Academy Literary Award, and the Rabindra Smriti Award from West Bengal, India. She authored 16 books, many of which explored Tagore’s life and philosophy.

Her book "Sangskritik Muktisangram" (The Cultural Liberation Struggle) captures her reflections on the Liberation War, Bangladesh’s cultural movements, and her personal thoughts on the country’s struggles for freedom.

Her two-volume work "Amar Rabindranath" (My Rabindranath) delves deeply into Tagore’s influence on Bengali life, literature, and culture, enriched with her memories and observations of Tagore-related sites like Santiniketan, Shilaidaha, and Patisar.

Among her other notable works are "Rabindra Sangeeter Bhavasampad", "Rabindranather Hate Hate Rekhe", "Rabindranath: Tar Akash Bhora Kole", "Rabindranath: Bibidha Sandhan", "Tomari Jharna Talay Nirjane", "Rabindranath O Onnanno", "Rabindranath Ebong Rabindranath", "Rabindra Sangeet: Manone Lalone", and "Rabindra-Bishwase Manab-Abhuday."

She also edited important works on Tagore, including "Roilo Taharo Bani: Roilo Bhora Sure", "Gitabitan: Tathya O Bhavsandhan", and "Shardhoshatatamo Janmabarshiki Rabindranath".

On her 90th birthday in 2023, Sanjida delivered a speech titled "Nabatipurna" (At Ninety), where she reflected: "I have found fulfilment in a simple life, content with little."