Don't ban artistes from other countries: Bangladesh author

Amid the ongoing controversy over restrictions on Pakistani artistes working in India, eminent Bangladeshi author Selina Hossain on Friday said artistes should be given total freedom and shouldn't be restricted to travel.

"Artistes should have cent per cent freedom. They should be given respect. Governments will do their work and artistes will function in their own domains. There shouldn't be any barriers on artists. Their visas and permits shouldn't be cancelled," Hossain told IANS here on the sidelines of the Apeejay Bangla Sahitya Utsob.

Hossain received the Saarc Literary Award in 2015 for her contribution to South Asian literature

Her novels and short stories have been translated into English, Russian, French, Japanese, Korean, Finnish, and many languages of India.

The award winning writer chronicles contemporary social and political crisis, conflicts and chronic cycles of life of the struggling masses in her works.

In 2014, Selina Hossain was appointed the Chairman of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy.

Her works on the Language Movement and the 1971 Liberation War are considered seminal by readers and critics alike.

Asked on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's commitment to continue war crimes trial against those involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War, the 1947-born Hossain heaped praises on the leader.

"I want justice for the people. She is doing it with great courage," Hossain told the media.

Hossain is penning a story revolving around the famed March 7, 1971, speech of nationalist leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh.

Rahman had delivered the speech at the Ramna Race Course in Dhaka, addressing a gathering of over two million people, inspiring the Bengali people to prepare for the War.

"I was present during his address. My story is about how ordinary men and women interpreted his message. My leading characters are two Dhaka University students," she added.

--IANS

sgh/tsb/vt