Hemayet Hossain

Sultana Firdousi is a renowned for her poetry, short-stories and novels that are a medley of rural and urban depictions.  She imbues scenic descriptions of the Bangladeshi countryside, adding specks of emotions in her words that enthrall her readers.

She was born in a modern and cultural family in Kushtia . Her father Engineer  Md Sultan Shahriar  was involved in student politics and later on actively fought in the Independence War.

 After the Liberation War,  her father joined in Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) as an engineer  and got the chance to travel with her father to different rural areas of Bangladesh . That's how her attraction towards the nature was developed. Her sense of responsibility towards mother nature gives birth to her ability to write. Her first book of poems - Kit O Dronopushpa (Insect and Wild Flowers) - was published from Bangla Academy in 1997. Tritiyo Pakha (Third Party) - her first novel was published from Dialogue Publications in 1999.

 A book containing ten of her poems - Ebar Ghore Ferar Pala (It's time to return home) - was published from Agami Publications,  in 2005. Later ,  Shrabon Publications published her second book of poems - Brikhera Bhije Jay (Trees get drenched) - was published. She has total  six books up to date, and the writer wishes to keep a low profile, and not promote herself actively. 

She has been engaged in poetry for 21 years, but for family reasons she put her writing on hold for some time. Now she has started her poetic life again. Her most recent book of poems – “A girl has no name “- was published in 2019. She has been working  for  literary and social organisation "Kali". She wishes to live the most of her life, exploring and savoring all aspects of it. She used to work in City Corporation as a community development officer. Gardening is one of her favorite hobbies.

Recently Poet Sultana Firdousi talked  to The Country Today 


Question : It is very good to see you here today. How are you?
Answer :  Thank you so much . I'm doing great these days.

Question :  Did anyone inspire or influence you in  writing?
Answer : I was influenced greatly by nature. As I grew up travelling from district to district of rural beautiful Bangladesh . I was influenced by the diverse greenery in our country.

Question : Could you tell us about your childhood?

Answer: My family was a perfect culmination of a traditional, cultural Bengali family, and creative family. All of our siblings, we grew up reciting poems and telling lore during weekends with our father. My mother was extra caring towards us, like all mothers are, and took great care of our health. We were pushed to study, play, help around in the house and be creative with ourselves. I was into writing and poetry, one of my other siblings was a genius in maths, another one in computing, some in art and dancing. We had amazing days.

Question : That's wonderful to hear. Which one  is your best book? I know you love all of them, but still.
Answer : Hmm, I would say my bilingual one, ‘A Girl has no name’. The translations gave new meaning to my poems.

Question :  I heard,  you are a strong feminist. You give off that energy right away. Do you think  women go through any problem in Bangladesh?

Answer : In my eyes, the biggest concern is the day now a days is  mild harassment.  We all undergo, and from such a young age that it's too common to us. Scarily so, it's become a part of us, to be silent about it and to get on with life. Being used to this as a girl but it is not the solution. Men should be taught at a young age, to respect and empower women, in order to earn the respect they so heavily demanded  from us.

Question:  Lastly, what is your advice to the youth of our country, who are wishing to pursue a career as a writer.

Answer:  Long lasting habits, to write at least once a day, every day if possible, so that when you get older you can meet deadlines! And it's always nice to lead a systemic, disciplined life. Explore different themes, don't stay stuck to only one genre. Discover yourself. Take everyone's opinion into consideration, criticism is always appreciated. And don't give up. Set goals for yourself and don't give up until you reach them.