When dreams refuse to stay silent

On September 6, what began as a sweltering day in Dhaka concluded with an inspiring launch of Breaking Dreams (Bengal Books, 2025), the latest anthology by eminent writer Dr Niaz Zaman. Hosted at Bengal Shilpalay, the event introduced a collection of 12 short stories—eight previously published and four new additions—that capture the intricacies of everyday Bangladeshi life through accessible and layered storytelling.

The programme opened with reflections on Bengal Books' ethos of fostering creativity, before the panel of four distinguished literary personalities turned their attention to Dr Zaman's work. Nusrat Haq, member of The Reading Circle and longtime English teacher at Sunbeams School, spoke about the themes in the anthology, from the archetypal fair-skinned maiden in South Asian marriage narratives to the struggles of young graduates, and stories of ordinary lives shaped by social, political, and gendered challenges.

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Following her, Dr Razia Sultana Khan, Professor, Independent University, Bangladesh, offered a close reading of the book's cover art. She drew attention to the vibrancy of the rickshaw painting, the doves symbolising illusory freedom, and the backward glance of the woman pictured—an image reflecting the anthology's concern with broken ambitions and the tension between past and present.

The discussion then shifted with Dr Firdous Azim, Professor and Chair, Department of English and Humanities, BRAC University, who shared a humorous anecdote about rickshaws as symbols of freedom, before moving to a more serious note. She highlighted how the female body often becomes a site of political struggle, but also how Dr Zaman's stories approach such heavy subjects with a light touch, allowing their deeper meanings to emerge gradually for the reader.

The evening closed with a question from the audience about how women can continue to write at a time when anti-women sentiments are being promoted in political discourse. In response, Dr Zaman recalled an experience from years ago, when a story she had written could not be published because it contained unflattering commentary about a political leader. She explained that she kept it aside until the time was right, adding simply: "So, wait—when the time is right, you will know."

The launch brought together literature, art, and reflection, marking the arrival of Breaking Dreams as a work that speaks both to individual lives and to the wider social realities of Bangladesh.

Sejal Rahman is a contributor. Reach her at [email protected].