Noted researcher and writer Begum Akhtar Kamal received this year’s ‘Ananya Literary Award’ (Ananya Sahitya Puraskar 2016), which has been conferred for the Bangla Year 1423. Professor Emeritus Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, Poet Asad Chowdhury and eminent novelist Selina Hossain attended the award ceremony and handed over the crest, along with a cheque worth TK 50,000 and certificates, to Begum Akhtar Kamal at the Poet Sufia Kamal Auditorium of National Museum in the city on Saturday. Ananya Editor Tasmima Hossain presided over the programme.
After receiving the award, Begum Akhtar Kamal expressed her feeling, “For the first time, an organisation run by women had given me an award. It’s a great pleasure for me. I am truly inspired and honoured.” After the award ceremony, Shamima Chowdhury recited poem at the programme.
Begum Akhter Kamal is the chairperson of Dhaka University’s Bangla Department, who known for her research based writings.  She wrote over 12 books. In 1992, she received a PhD degree for her research ‘Bishnu Dey’r Kabi Manos O Kaby’. Some of her notable works include Bishnu Dey’r Kabyo: Puran Prasanga, Mahmuda Khatun Siddiqua, Bishnu Dey’r Kabiswabhab O Kabyrup, Adhunik Bangla Kabita O Myth, Bishwajuddho Jibon O Kothashilpo, Kabitar Nandonikota: Prachin O Modhyojug, Kobir Uponyas and others.