Dhaka: A documentary chronicling the life, literary journey, and social engagement of veteran writer and social worker Nahar Kamal Ahmed premiered at Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in the capital on Thursday evening. Titled 'Discovering A Doyenne', the 1-hour-42-minute documentary was directed by Dr. Mahmud Nurul Momen. A new edition of Ahmed's book Ei Prithibi was also launched and unveiled at the event.
According to United News of Bangladesh, prominent filmmaker Mosihuddin Shaker, director of the acclaimed film Surja Dighal Bari, attended the programme as chief guest, while Kamal Quadir, CEO of bKash, and mountaineer Nishat Mazumder, the first Bangladeshi woman to summit Mount Everest, attended as special guests. Former Bangla Academy Director Rahima Akhter Kalpana conducted the programme.
Born in 1935 in Kishoreganj, Nahar Kamal Ahmed is the daughter of the late Professor M Osman Ghani, the 11th Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, and elder sister of former education minister Dr Osman Faruk. A writer and social worker, Ahmed began writing in her childhood, mostly for personal enjoyment. Her first book, the poetry collection Jhora Patar Gaan, was published in 1993, followed by her second book, the short-story collection Ei Prithibi, in 1998. Most of the stories in Ei Prithibi were originally published in the women's magazine Begum.
The documentary also explores Ahmed's writing on the representation of LGBTQ people in the context of the 1971 Liberation War. Speaking at the programme, Nahar Kamal Ahmed recalled that writing had been part of her life from an early age, although she did not initially seek publication. She expressed gratitude to those who attended the premiere and book launch, acknowledging their support.
Chief guest Mosihuddin Shaker shared his unexpected delight at attending the event, emphasizing the quiet significance of Ahmed's contributions to literature and society. He praised the documentary initiative and highlighted the respect shown by Ahmed's son in documenting her life and work.
Director Mahmud Nurul Momen discussed the challenges of capturing Ahmed's extensive life experiences, which include witnessing significant historical events. Momen shared his editorial choices in curating the material for the documentary and the new edition of Ei Prithibi, which includes previously unpublished content and a translation by Ahmed.
The documentary premiere and book launch brought together figures from the literary, cultural, media, and intellectual communities to honor Ahmed's longstanding contribution to Bangladeshi literature and social life.