Khanam, Sayeeda
Khanam, Sayeeda (1937-2020) pioneer of women photographers in Bangladesh. Sayeeda Khanam was born in Pabna, her father's place of work, on 29 December 1937, although her ancestral residence was in Bhanga, Faridpur. Her father’s name was Abdus Samad Khan and mother was Nasima Khatun. Sayeeda Khanam spent her childhood in the beautiful natural ambience on the banks of Ichamati river in Pabna. She received her master's degree in Bengali Language and Literature and Library Science from the University of Dhaka in 1968 and 1972, respectively. From 1974 to 1996, Sayeeda Khanam served as a librarian in the seminar library of the Department of Bangla, University of Dhaka.
Sayeeda Khanam's love for the camera started in her childhood. She picked up a camera when she was only 12/13 years old. She started working as a photojournalist for the Monthly Begum in 1956. However, aside from Begum, her photos were published in Bangladesh's leading daily newspapers, such as The Observer, The Morning News, Ittefaq and Sangbad. Her photographs were also published in two Japanese newspapers. However, her path as a photographer was not smooth at all. As a woman photographer, she had to face many social obstacles. But she did not give up. Many people, including her aunt, poet Mahmuda Khatun Siddika, elder sister Principal Hamida Khanam and Mohsina Ali also extended their continued support to her. In addition, she was encouraged by Mohammad Nasiruddin, one of the pioneers of women's awakening in this country and the editor of the Saugat Patrika, and Noorjahan Begum, editor of the Begum.
Sayeeda Khanam is more than 3 thousand photographs. She had taken pictures of various subjects, including nature and famous people in the field of art, literature, culture and politics at home and abroad. She took photographs of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen, and Hemant Mukhopadhyay and many others. Famous people like Queen Elizabeth, Mother Teresa, Marshall Tito, and Audrey Hepburn are also on this list. Sayeeda Khanam has also taken pictures of astronaut Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, and Michael Collins. In 1962, Sayeeda Khanam went on an assignment to India for the Chitrali, an entertainment magazine and took a picture of the famous filmmaker and Oscar winner Satyajit Ray. She also worked as a cinematographer for Satyajit Ray's films Mahanagar, Charulata and Kapurush o Mahapurush. One of Sayeeda Khanam's most notable works is the photograph of women in training with arms in the Azimpur area of Dhaka in 1971, just before the start of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
In 1956, Sayeeda Khanam participated for the first time in an international exhibition in Dhaka. Her photographs were exhibited in several countries including India, Japan, France, Sweden, Pakistan, Cyprus, and the USA. In addition, as a photographer, she participated in various international seminars at home and abroad.
Sayeeda Khanam participated in various international photography competitions and won awards. She received the International Award Cologne in 1956 in Germany. In addition, she received had Japan's UNESCO Award, Ananya Shirsha Dosh Award, Begum newspaper's 50th Anniversary Award, and Honorary Fellow of Bangladesh Photographic Society. Apart from this, the government of Bangladesh awarded Sayeeda Khanam with 'Ekushey Padak' in 2019 for her unique contribution to photography.
Aside from taking pictures with the camera, Sayeeda Khanam used to write throughout her life. Her notable books include Dhulomati (1964), Smritir Path Beye, Amar Dekha Satyajit Ray (2004), and Alokchitri Sayeeda Khanam er Upannayastroi. Beside these books, many short stories and articles written by her were published in various newspapers and magazines.
Sayeeda Khanam was associated with the Bangla Academy, the UNAB, Bangladesh Photographic Society, and 'Bangladesh Mahila Samity'. She also served as the General Secretary of the 'Bangladesh Lekhika Sanga' (Bangladesh Women Writers’ Association).
Sayeeda Khanam was a conscious patriot and philanthropist. Although not connected with active politics, she was indirectly involved in student and anti-autocratic movements. She also made a considerable contribution to social works. For example, after the War of Liberation, when there was a shortage of nurses in hospitals, she did voluntary nursing at the Holy Family Hospital, Dhaka.
Bangladesh's first professional woman photographer, Sayeeda Khanam passed away on 18 August 2020 at the age of 83 in Dhaka. [Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan]
