Husna Banu Khanam Biography 
Husna Banu Khanam was a Bangladeshi educationist, writer, journalist and Nazrul singer, who was born in British India in 1922. She was the first Muslim film woman journalist. She received the Begum Rokeya Medal from government of Bangladesh in 2004 and Ekushey Padak Award in 1999. Her elder and younger brothers - Fateh Lohani and Fazle Lohani were associated with Bangladeshi entertainment industry, and both were born in British India too. Fateh was a filmmaker, actor and journalist, while her younger brother was a journalist, television host, songwriter and film producer, best known for the legendary song "Salam salam hajar salam...".
Husna Banu Khanam was born on February 18, 1922 into Muslim family in Pabna District, British India. Now her birth place belongs to Bangladesh. Her father was a journalist and writer. Her mother was a teacher while both her siblings were artists, associated with films and music industry. Since young, she was interested in music and started practising too. As a child, she was gifted a harmonium by known poet Golam Mostafa, and in those days she used to go to Kazi Nazrul Islam’s home to listen to him.
Husna got married while she was studying in 7th grade. Yet she continued her studies and went to US for her higher studies with the aid of a scholarship. Once she returned she started her professional career as a professor at the Home Economics College in Dhaka. She was actively involved with journalism too, during this period. She was the first Muslim film woman journalist. When Pakistan Journalist Association was formed in 1967, she became one of its founding members. Over the years she also established as a singer in AIR, and she got her first opportunity to sing without any audition.
Published: December 28, 2018
Updated: December 28, 2018
