Kazi Motahar Hossain’s house was a bustling microcosm of eleven members, children and all. One face stood out in this crowd – his little daughter Minu. It is to her that Kazi Shaheb gifted a copy of his book Shonchoron, sensing in her an innate affinity for the arts.
Little Minu, or Sanjida Apa as we called her, later became The Sanjida Khatun of Chhayanaut. Her position in the cultural sphere of Bangladesh is an unforgettable milestone. Her contribution to Chhayanaut, which is a symbol of the dominance of Bengali culture, is immense. She was not just an artist, she was an institution, whose roots spread the mantra of creativity throughout the whole Bengal. Just as her talent has increased the depth of Chhayanaut’s musical practice, her ideals and hard work have presented the country’s musical performance in a new perspective. Till this day Sanjida Apa’s unique musical performance is still alive among us, as if her presence in every tune of Chhayanaut brings out the beauty and tradition of our past.
Sanjida Khatun was born on April 4, 1933, in Segun Bagicha, to noted scholar and National Professor Dr Kazi Motahar Hossain. Sanjida Apa’s mother, Sajeda Khatun, was a housewife with no mean cultural interests, having translated two of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s books into Urdu – a rare accomplishment among women of that time.
Sanjida Khatun grew up in an atmosphere filled with the scent of books and music. Amidst the laughter, stories, and games of her siblings, a silent attraction to sound and music began to form in her mind. Her father’s literary taste and her mother’s love of music seemed to have combined to create the path of her future.
In 1954, she earned her Bachelor degree with honours in Bengali Language and Literature from the University of Dhaka. During her undergraduate years, she was inspired by a Tagore recitation by Professor Syed Ali Ahsan to learn Rabindra Sangeet. At that time, she had already been studying Nazrul, folk music, classical and patriotic songs under Sohrab Hossain, cultivating a treasure trove of melodies within her .
In 1955, she received her master’s degree from Rabindra Bharati University, Santiniketan/Visva-Bharati University, and in 1978, she earned her PhD from the same institution. This lifelong journey of dedication and learning shaped her into not just a scholar, but a wise and resonant voice of Bengali culture itself.
After beginning her career as a teacher, she taught at Eden College, Carmichael College, and the Department of Bengali at the University of Dhaka, leaving a significant impact on her students’ lives. Her long tenure as a professor in the Bengali Department at the University of Dhaka was not only inspirational within academia but also left a deep impression on the cultural consciousness of the Bengali people.
Sanjida Khatun revitalised the music and practice of Bengali culture. Before independence, the cultural practices of the Bengali people had faced many obstacles, she overcame them and breathed new life into invaluable treasures like Rabindra Sangeet. Under her leadership, initiatives such as the centenary celebration of Rabindranath Tagore and the celebration of the Pohela Boishakh at Botomul, have had a lasting impact on the cultural life of Bengali people.
She played an immortal role in every step of the Language Movement, Freedom Movement, Liberation War and the post-war nation building process. Under her leadership, institutions like Chhayanaut and Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad were established, becoming guiding lights for the prosperity and advancement of Bengali culture. Sanjida Khatun’s life story is a treasury of inspiration, under which we continue to stand today.
Love crept into Sanjida Khatun’s life after a chance meeting with Wahidul Haque, who would in time become a prominent cultural personality. She first encountered him at a function of Mukul Fauj, where he was speaking on the theme of sadness. At the time, Haque was still pursuing his BA, where Sanjida Apa had already completed her MA. But the friendship that sprouted after that first encounter gradually strengthened, and took shape into a strong marital bond. They were blessed with children. Their life began a new chapter, where cultural practices, family and their deep love for one another combined to create a unique story of harmony.
In her lifetime, Dr. Sanjida Khatun opened a new horizon with her creativity and cultural consciousness. The 16 books she wrote highlight the qualitative aspects of Bengali literature and Rabindra Sangeet. Among her notable works, Kobi Satyendranath Dutto, Rabindra Sangeeter Bhabsampad, Dhwani Theke Kabita, Atit Diner Smriti, Bangladesher Sanskritir Charai-Utrai, and Rabindranath: Bibidha Sandhan are particularly appreciated. Not only as a writer, but also as a singer, her singing has been praised, reaching audiences through numerous audio albums.
She has been honoured with various awards for her contribution to cultural practice and literary creations. Among the awards she received are the Nazrul Gold Medal (1954), Rabindra Smriti Award (1988), Ekushey Padak (1990), Sa’dat Ali Akhand Literary Award (1998), Bangla Academy Literary Award (1999) and the Desikottama Award from Visva-Bharati in 2000.
Sanjida Khatun’s death, at the age of 92, marks the end of a chapter, but the contributions she left behind will forever remain a priceless gem in Bengali culture. She took her last breath on Tuesday afternoon at 3 PM in the ICU of a private hospital in the capital.