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Bangladesh
Ferdousi Priyabhashini (19 February 1947 – 6 March 2018) was a trailblazing Bangladeshi sculptor and the first woman to publicly identify herself as a Birangona—a term coined by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the women who were victims of sexual violence during the Liberation War of 1971. Her courage and artistic contributions earned her national acclaim, including the Independence Day Award in 2010.
Ferdousi Priyabhashini (19 February 1947 – 6 March 2018) was a trailblazing Bangladeshi sculptor and the first woman to publicly identify herself as a Birangona—a term coined by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the women who were victims of sexual violence during the Liberation War of 1971. Her courage and artistic contributions earned her national acclaim, including the Independence Day Award in 2010.
Less MoreDespite personal struggles—including working in a jute mill to support her family—Priyabhashini transitioned into the arts and became a self-taught sculptor. Her unique use of natural materials like tree roots and branches set her apart in the Bangladeshi art scene.
Her first exhibition took place in 1990 and was jointly inaugurated by the revered artist SM Sultan and poet Sufia Kamal, and hosted by Syed Shamsul Haque. Since then, her life and art have been a source of inspiration, including the play "Jamuna" (2015) based on her story.
Ferdousi Priyabhashini’s sculptural work has been exhibited extensively across Bangladesh:
