Bangladeshi anthology transforms women's oral histories into literary record

An anthology titled "Stories My Grandma (Never) Told Me" is transforming the oral histories women have long shared within their families into a lasting literary record, academics and writers said at a book discussion hosted by Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).

The book, edited by Professor Razia Sultana Khan of IUB, was the focus of an event organized by the Department of English and Modern Languages. Professor Firdous Azim of Brac University noted the anthology's personal resonance, drawing parallels to her own experiences as a grandmother. She highlighted how reading and writing in English allows these intimate stories to reach students, offering them a broader understanding of family and history.

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the whispers of resilience

Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, president of the Cosmos Foundation, described the book as a tribute that elevates women's "whispers of resilience" and unspoken truths into a powerful "chorus." He argued that domestic spaces like kitchens and funerals are crucial sites where history is truly made. Chowdhury recommended the anthology not just as a historical record but as a portrait of the writers themselves, suggesting the grandmothers within its pages, whether real or imagined, serve as the "keepers of us."

Sayyeda Tun Noor Sameera, a faculty member at IUB, praised the anthology as a beautifully produced and accessible volume, noting the rarity of such an English-language publication from Bangladesh. She elaborated on how editor Razia Khan gathered everyday stories that grandmothers tell their grandchildren, emphasizing their lasting imprint on childhood memories and the profound bond forged through storytelling. Elita Karim, a musician and PhD student, further reflected on women's role in transmitting knowledge and memory through various art forms, stating that the anthology captures this tradition as a distinct art form.

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keepers of us