Works

Writing - A Beginning

Growing up Makbula Manzoor recalls that literature was widely appreciated by everyone in her family. Her father used to write both poetry and prose. He based his insightful book, Adhare Alo (Light in the Darkness), on his professional experience in the police force. His book titled Purbo Banglar Chor Dakat (Thieves and Dacoits of North Bengal) was a textbook in Sharda Police Academy in Rajshahi.

As a child Makbula recalls that her mother loved reading books - not only Sharatchandra and Bankimchandra but also detective fiction. Makbula fondly remembers her mother reciting rhymes and reading fairy tales from Upendra Kishore Ray.

At the tender age of eight, Makbula recalls writing a poem which was published in Azad in the children's section called Mukul Mahfil.

Through to the age of thirteen, she wrote poems and some short stories. She was encouraged to write by the artist Quamrul Hasan, who was associated with the Mukul movement. Makbula recalls 'Quamrul Hasan said that my prose was better than my poetry, and I should write more stories.' Makbula began to write more stories, but did not give up on her poetry.

Whilst a Bachelor of Arts student, Makbula published her first work Akash Kanya (Daughter of the Sky) which was serialised in Begum. Her first book Aar Ek Jiban (Another Life) was completed prior to her completing her Masters degree.

A New Chapter in Bangladeshi Literature

Makbula Manzoor joined as select group of women who opened up a new chapter on Bangladeshi writing. Through her works in Begum, a generation of women were able to venture beyond their homes and gain an apprecition of the wider world outside as the new nation of Bangladesh grappled with independence and statehood.

Makbula is renowned for focussing on the political and social conditions of Bangladesh. Her literary skills in weaving social and political events with domestic and familial life have kept Bangladeshi history alive. Her works reflect the historical uphevals of partition, the struggles of the language movement, and the Liberation War. The broad expanse of such struggles are captured in her epic work Kaler Mondira (Cymbal of Time). Throughout her literary corpus, Makbula highlighted the plight of women. Makbula recognised the importance of youth, and dedicated much of her literery efforts writing for children and adolescents. She continued to focus on contemporary social issues impacting Bangladeshis, encapsulating both the positive and negative challenges.

There is Hope

"When a country gains independence, the struggle and bloodshed leave an effect on people. At times I become frustrated. I wake up in the middle of the night and wonder why I am still living. But then, when I see the sun rising at dawn I feel that there is still hope."