Sufia Kamal and Simin Behbahani: Similarities in Personality and Creativity/ সুফিয়া কামাল ও সিমিন বাহবাহানি : ব্যক্তি ও সৃজনে সাদৃশ্য

Abstract

There is a common resonance among individuals who embody art, culture, and humanitarian values, regardless of their geographic origins. They remain committed to expressing similar sentiments through their work and thoughts. Two such figures—renowned Bangladeshi poet and women's rights leader Begum Sufia Kamal (1911–1999) and Simin Behbahani (1927–2014), the "Lioness of Iran"—were creators of poetic harmony. Both possessed an indomitable spirit and chose poetry as their primary medium of expression. They fought for women's emancipation in patriarchal societies, founded organizations, led movements, and stood as obstacles to oppressive regimes, enduring persecution as a result. Their poetry exhibits the essence of lyrical verse, focusing on themes such as patriotism, love, nature, feminism, free thought, poverty, human compassion, ethics, and personal experiences. Their voices and tones were strikingly similar, and their use of simple, accessible language made them poets of the people. Both maintained connections with prominent global poets, writers, intellectuals, and social activists. They traveled extensively in secular countries, documenting their experiences. Simin Behbahani was nominated for the Nobel Prize twice, while Sufia Kamal received international honors, including recognition from Russia. These similarities extended to their personal lives, including their deep affection for their first husbands. Sufia Kamal's famous poem Taharay Pore Mone ("Only He Comes to Mind") reveals her profound love for her first husband. Simin Behbahani, too, honored her first husband, Hasan Behbahani, by adopting his family name. Both poets gained acclaim for their memoirs. Sufia Kamal's "Ekattorer Diary" (Diary of 1971) and "Ekale Amader Kal" (Our Era in This Age) are highly regarded, just as Simin Behbahani's autobiography "Ba Madaram Hamrah: Zendeginameye Khodnevesht" (With My Mother: A Self-Written Biography) echoes similar themes.

           This essay presents a comparative study of these two revolutionary poets and women's leaders, analyzing their personal lives, poetic themes, artistic forms, accolades, and global influence—despite growing up in different linguistic, cultural, and environmental backgrounds.