Rabeya Khatun


Rabeya Khatun was a Bangladeshi novelist. She wrote over 50 novels and more than 400 short stories. Her works also include essays, research, religious history, and travelogues. She was awarded Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1973, Ekushey Padak in 1993, and Independence Day Award in 2017 by the Government of Bangladesh.
Khatun died of cardiac arrest on 3 January 2021 at her residence in Gulshan, Dhaka.

Early life and education

Khatun was born on 27 December 1935 to Maulavi Mohammad Mulluk Chand and Hamida Khatun in Bikrampur in the then Bengal Presidency, British India. She was the second of their three children. Khatun grew up in the Shantinagar area in Dhaka. She passed the entrance examination from Armanitola School in 1948.
On 23 July 1952, she married Fazlul Haque. He was the editor of the Cinema magazine. He directed President, the first film for children in Bangladesh.

Career

Khatun worked at Khawatin magazine, edited by Jahanara Imam. She then worked as the editor of the literature section of the magazine Cinema along with Zahir Raihan. Later she became the editor of the monthly Angana.
Khatun was a council member of Bangla Academy. She was a member of the jury board of the Bangladesh National Film Awards, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Notun Kuri of Bangladesh Television.

Works

Khatun's first story, Prashno, was published in the weekly Juger Dabi. Her novel Rajarbagh was published in Begum. She wrote her first novel, Madhumati, in 1963. She wrote about the Bangladesh Liberation War in her book Ekattorer Noy Maash in 1990. Two of her novels, Nirasraya and Biday O Ashok Reba, have never been published.

Novels

Source:
  • Nirashraya
  • Biday
  • Ashok-Reba
  • Madhumati
  • Saheb Bazar
  • Ananta Anwesha
  • Razarbagh Shalimarbagh
  • Mon Ek Shwet Kapoti
  • Ferari Surya
  • Onekjoner Ekjon
  • Jiboner Ar Ek Nam
  • Dibos Rajoni
  • Sei Ek Bosonte
  • Mohor Ali
  • Neel Nishith
  • Bayannor Golir Ek Goli
  • Pakhi Shob Kore Rob
  • Noyona Lake-e Rupban Dupur
  • Mid Summer-e
  • E Bhora Badar Mah Bhador
  • Se Ebong Jabatyo
  • Hanifer Ghora
  • Hiron Dah Muktijuddho Bhittik
  • Ei Birohokal
  • Muktijuddher Uponyas Samagra
  • Hotel Green Button
  • Chander Fota
  • Nirbachito Premer Uponyas
  • Baganer Nam Malnichhora
  • Priyo Gulshana
  • Bosonto Bhila
  • Chhaya Romoni
  • Soundarya Sangbad
  • Hridoyer Kacher Bishoy
  • Ghatok Ratri
  • Shreshtho Uponyas
  • Malinir Dupur
  • Rongin Kacher Janala
  • Megher Por Megh
  • Ja Kichu Aprotashito
  • Durey Brishti
  • Sakin O Mayataru
  • Ramna Park-er Panch Bondhu
  • Shudhu Tomar Jonno
  • Thikana B H Tower
  • Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti
  • Prothom Boddhobhumi
  • Komolika
  • Doshti Uponyas
  • Shonkho Shokal Prokriti
  • Ja Hoyna
  • Akashe Ekhono Onek Raat
  • Uponyas Samagra
  • Swonirbachito Uponyas
  • Jagotik
  • Swopne Songkramito
  • O Ke Chhilo
  • Moha Proloyer Por
  • Nirbachito Uponyas
  • Shohorer Shesh Bari
  • Nosto Jyotsnar Alo
  • Maigo
  • Samudrabon O Pronoy Purush
  • Ei Dah
  • Raima

Based on Liberation War

  • Ekattorer Noy Mash
  • Ekattorer Nishan

Uponyas Somuho

''Ferari Surya, Megher Por Megh, Hiron Dah, Baganer Nam Malnichhora''

Adaptations

Khatun's book-to-film adaptations include Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti, Megher Pore Megh and Madhumati.

Personal life

Khatun lived in Banani, a residential area in Dhaka. She had two sons and two daughters — Faridur Reza Sagar is the current managing director of Impress Telefilm Limited and Channel i; Keka Ferdousi is a television chef; Farhadur Reza Probal is an architect; and Farhana Kakoly.

Awards