' or ' is a nationally renowned Bangladeshi author and novelist who is amongst a select number of women who helped shape modern Bangladeshi literature. Author Syedur Rahman cites her together with Akhtaruzzaman Ilias, Selina Hossain and Hasan Hafizur Rahman as one of the notable contributors to modern Bangladeshi literature. Makbula Manzoor is noted for writing from a woman's perspective in a male-dominated society; her 1998 novel Kaler Mandira is one such example, and references female exploitation during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. She is considered to be an outstanding Bangladeshi female writer, inspired by the events which led to the creation of the country in 1971. Makbula is renowned for her novels, short stories and articles. For over forty years, she skilfully captured the historical upheavals of Bangladesh, and wrote about the social and political struggles of ordinary men and women. She dedicated her writing to both children and adolescents, as well as adult fiction. Makbula received many national awards in recognition of her contribution to Bengali Literature. As an educator, Makbula taught generations of students.
Biography
Early life
Makbula Manzoor, was born on 14th September 1938 in the city of Kalna, Bardhaman district, where her father was stationed as a Police Officer. Bardhaman was situated in the undivided India, now located in West Bengal. Makbula spent most of her childhood years amongst the lush green fields, rivers and open skies of northern Bengal. The nature of her father's police duties required the family to move throughout northern Bengal; across the Bogra, Pabna and Dinajpur districts. As a consequence of her father's various postings, Makbula attended many schools.
Makbula Manzoor always maintained a strong cultural bond and political consciousness. She was active leading up to, during and following the Liberation War. Her experiences are reflected in many of her works, most notably in her novel Kaler Mondira where she documents the torture inflicted on the women of Bangladesh by Pakistani forces. In February 1952, as a student in Tangail district, Makbula organised a group of fellow students to join a rally in solidarity with students in Dhaka shot and killed by the police. Those students were protesting against the West Pakistani politicians’ decision to reject Bangla and make Urdu the state language. Makbula and her fellow students kicked open the hostel gate and joined the rally. This rebellious act resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for Makbula, and her suspension from the school. Whilst a teacher in 1971, she was barred from hoisting the flag of Bangladesh which prompted her decision to leave the school.
Literary Life
Makbula wrote one of her first poems at the tender age of eight which was published in Mukul Mahfil, the children's section of daily Azad. Through to her teenage years she wrote poems and some short stories but was later encouraged to focus on her fiction by the eminent artist Quamrul Hasan. Whilst a Bachelor of Arts student, Makbula published her first novel Akash Kanya' which was serialised in the weekly Begum. Her first book Aar Ek Jiban' was completed prior to finishing her Master's degree. She adapted many of her stories into television and radio dramas. Makbula received many national awards in recognition of her contribution to Bengali Literature. Her Teenage fiction Danpite Chele was made into a movie which won the National Film Award and Tashkent International Film Festival award in 1980.
