Ranjana Biswas, researcher on Bede community, wins Anannya literary award 2022

"The Bede community was a part of our liberation struggle. There is no end to their sacrifices. Ranjana's research informs us about the lives of the Bede community and about the Christian community's role in our liberation movement", writer and researcher Akimun Rahman said at the prize-giving ceremony of this year's Anannya Shahitya Purashkar. 

Ranjana Biswas, an essayist and researcher, received the award at a ceremony held on March 22 at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka. 

Biswas' body of work comprises essays, poetry, and novels, portraying the history and lives of Bengali palanquins and folk musicians. She has recently won the Kali O Kalam and BRAC Bank-Samakal literary awards. Notable among her 24 published books are Bangladesh-er Lokdharma, Bangladesh-er Palki O Palkibahok, Bede Janagoshthir Jibonjatra, and others. 

"I feel utterly overwhelmed when I read her poetry and her novels. She deserves a separate award for this category", Rahman added. 

In her special remarks, Anannya editor Tahmina Hossain discussed Biswas' work as an author of a new generation, whose work highlights the experiences and culture of marginalized communities. 

"We want to dismantle this tendency to discriminate against individuals based on classes", Hossain said in her speech. "Anannya is honoured to have awarded Ranjana for this very reason, for her work with folk culture and practices." 

"I would like to encourage all women writers to try to grow through the love of people of all classes, religions, and communities,'' Ranjana Biswas said in her acceptance speech. 

Anannya has been awarding its annual literary award since 1993, with 26 women writers having received the prize till date, including Selina Hossain, Rizia Rahman, Nilima Ibrahim, Jahanara Imam, Razia Khan, Niaz Zaman, and more.