We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rizia Rahman.

She was one of the most renowned writers from Bangladesh. Born in Kolkata on 28 December 1939, Rahman migrated to Bangladesh – then East Bengal – with her family after the Partition. She was honoured with the Bangla Academy Literary Award (1978) and Ekushey Padak (2019) for her outstanding contribution to Bengali literature. Rahman was also a recipient of the EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award (2018), Jessore Sahitya Parishad Puraskar (1984), Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha Shwarna Padak (1985) and amongst others.

Rahman began her career in 1967 with a collection of short stories, and has more than 50 titles to her credit. Some of her acclaimed works include Agnishakkhora, Ghor Bhanga Ghor, Uttar Purush, Rokter Akkhar, Bong theke Bangla, Aronyer Kachhe, Shilay Shilay Agun, Olikhito Upakhyan, Dhabal Jyosna, Shurjo Shobuj Rokto, Ekal Chirokal, Hey Manab Manabi, Harun Fereni and Utshey Fera.

Rizia Rahman passed away on Friday, 16 August 2019, at the age of 79. She is survived by her son Abdur Rahman.