Selina Hossain Another Year for the Literary Songbird

Yesterday (on 14th June) was the birthday of eminent author Selina Hossain. To her this is a day like any other. However she feels gratitude for all that she has in life. “I never thought of celebrating my birthday in grandeur,” she said, “The birth of human beings on earth follows the inevitable path of truth. I consider my birthday to be the days when I accomplish great deeds. That is what truly makes me happy.”

Her birth took place during a momentous time in history; the partition of the Indian Subcontinent. “Joys and sorrows come by turns in life. If I am dedicated to what I do, I think that is the best achievement in life. I disregard myself as a human being if I take the path of deception,” she says.

The writer regards her readers as revered beings. “The readers are everything. They are the best judges. I sense a writer's metaphorical death when s/he doesn't receive acceptance and accolades from her/his readers,” added Selina Hossain.

The author views books and flower bouquets as the best birthday gifts. She loves to read novels of diverse genres and is on the continuous hunt for compiled essays.  Her favourite flower is the Kadam ful. 

In response to a question of what she would do if she could celebrate her birthday in her own way, the writer said, “I would celebrate my birthday in two ways –either passing time alone at my home browsing my books, or celebrating the day with the children living near my residence.”  

Born on June 14, 1947, Selina Hossain is one of the most prolific authors in Bangla literature. She has penned numerous short stories, novels, essays and books for children. Her works on the Language Movement and the Liberation War are considered seminal by readers and critics alike. Her stories have been translated into English, Russian and Malay and she has received the Bangla Academy Award, the Alawal Literary Award and the Philips Literary Prize, among others. Some of her works are studied at universities in India and the United States. Her novel “Bhumi O Kusum” was the first work in Bangla literature to address the enclave issue. After her long association with the Bangla Academy, she retired as the director of the Academy. In 2014, Selina Hossain was appointed as the Chairman of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy. She received SAARC Literary Award in 2015 for her contribution to South Asian literature.