10 get Bangla Academy Literary Award

Ten poets and writers have been adorned with the Bangla Academy Literary Award 2019.

Bangla Academy Director General Habibullah Siraji announced the names at a press conference at Kabi Shamsur Rahman seminar room of the academy, said a press release here today.

This year’s winners are: Makid Haider (poem), Wasi Ahmed (fiction), Swarochis Sarker (essay and research), Khairul Alam Sabuj (translation), Ratan Siddique (drama), Rahim Shah (juvenile literature), Rafiqul Islam Bir Uttam (Liberation War-based literature), Nadira Mazumder (science fiction), Faruque Moinuddin (autobiography or travelogue) and Saimon Zakaria (folklore).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the awards to the winners during the inaugural ceremony of Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela on February 2.

Introduced in 1960, the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar (Literary Award) is annually awarded to individuals for their contributions to the Bangla literature in various categories.

Academy secretary Mohammad Anowar Hossain and directors Apresh Kumar Banerjee, Dr KM Muzahidul Islam, Dr Jalal Ahmed and Dr Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, among others, were present at the press conference.

BSS/GY