Ferdousi Priyabhashini


Ferdousi Priyabhashini was a Bangladeshi sculptor. She was the first one to publicly announce herself as Birangona, a term coined by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the rape victims of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Government of Bangladesh awarded her Independence Day Award in 2010.

Early life and career

Priyabhashini was born on 19 February 1947 in Khulna, Bangladesh to her parents Rowshan Hasina and Syed Mahbubul Hoque.
Priyabhashini was married to an artist in 1963. She had to work in a jute mill for her family. But financial problems grew and the couple got separated in 1971.
Priyabhashini later became a sculptor. Since 1990, she has exhibited her works through exhibitions. Her first exhibition was jointly inaugurated by artist SM Sultan and poet Sufia Kamal, and anchored by Syed Shamsul Haque.
The 2015 play Jamuna draws inspiration from Priyabhashini's life and artwork.

Personal life

Priyabhashini married Ahsanullah Ahmed in 1972. Together they have three sons and three daughters.

Exhibitions

  1. Charupith, Jessore, 1991
  2. Bengal Foundation, Dhaka, 1994
  3. Jozon Art Gallery, Dhaka, 1994
  4. Bangladesh Shilpokala Academy, Dhaka, 1996
  5. Dhaka Art Centre Gallery, Dhaka, 1996
  6. Bangladesh National Museum, 1999
  7. Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, 2002
  8. Shilpangan Gallery, Dhaka, 2004
  9. In the Deep Days of Monsoon = Emana ghanaghora barishāẏa, 2004
  10. Shilpangan Gallery, Dhaka, 2006
  11. Branches and twigs = Sā̄khā praśākhā, 2007
  12. Dots Gallery, Dhaka, 2007
  13. Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhaka, 2010
  14. Dhaka Art Centre, Dhaka, 2010
  15. Light and shadow = Raudra chāẏā : duet art exhibition, 2013
  16. Prelude to a monsoon evening = Nāmila Śrābaṇa sandhyā, 2015

    Awards