Docu-drama on martyred poet Meherunnesa released

The bloody events of the Liberation War witnessed the deaths of 30 lakhs people, among who were poets, writers, professors, and other members of the intelligentsia. Many films and documentaries over the years have recounted various momentous events of 1971. A docu-drama highlighting the first martyred female poet Meherunnesa has recently been made. Titled “Meherunnesa”, the short film is directed by filmmaker Riaz Mahmud Mithu.

“Meherunnesa” was first screened on the event of Liberation War Museum's 21st anniversary and Independence Day last month.

The short film examines all aspects of the poet martyrs life, according to the director. Cast members in the documentary include Paru, Nishi, Raju, Ali, Sabrina, Shubhra, Hasan and more. Meherunnesa's elder sister Momena Begum and lawmaker Kazi Rosy have been interviewed in the film as well.

Born in 1942 in Kolkata to parents Abdur Razzak and Nurunnesa, Meherunnesa's family made their way to the-then East Pakistan following Partition in 1947. The self-taught poet had begun writing from a tender age, with her first poem “Chashi” published when she was ten years old. Most of her poems in the subsequent years were published in the then weekly magazine “Begum”. She was involved in the 1969 uprisings against West Pakistan, and remained active in protests against Pakistani occupation and its oppressions. On March 23, days before the Liberation War broke out, she hoisted the flag of Bangladesh at her house. Her activism tragically ended with her murder on March 27, 1971, marking her as the first female martyr.

“Meherunnesa” was produced by Green University and Shapnokola Cultural Bhubon Foundation.