Selina Hossain (born 14 June 1947) is a Bangladeshi novelist. Her major works include Hangor Nodi Grenade (1976) and Poka Makorer Ghor Boshoti (1996). She earned all major national awards – Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1980, Ekushey Padak in 2009 and Independence Day Award in 2018. Her novels and short stories have been translated into English, Russian, French, Japanese, Korean, Finnish and Malay. She served as the chairperson of Bangladesh Shishu Academy from 2014 until 2018. Selina was appointed president of the Bangla Academy by Awami League government on Feb 3, 2022. She took over the role on Feb 6 for a three-year term. After the formation of the interim government on 8 August 2024, she resigned as president of the Bangla Academy on 17 October.

Early life and education

Hossain was born to A. K. Mosharrof Hossain and Mariamennesa Bakul. She earned MA degree in Bengali language and literature from Rajshahi University in 1968.

Career

In 1994–95, Hossain won a scholarship from the Ford Foundation for her novel, Sandhya Gayatri. Hossain retired as the director of the Bangla Academy. She served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh and the representative of her government to the executive board of UNESCO. In 2014, she was appointed the Chairman of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy. Hossain's novel Bhumi O Kusum was the first work in Bangla literature to address the enclave issue.

Works (Job)

Novels

• # Josnay Shurjo Jala (1973) • # Jolochchhas (1972) • # Hangor Nodi Grenade (1976) • # Magna Caitanye Shis (1979) • # Japito Jibon (1981) • # Podoshobdo (1982) • # Neel Moyurer Joubon (1983) • # Chand Bene (1984) • # Poka Makorer Ghor Bosoti (1986) • # Nirontor Ghontadhoni (1987) • # Ksharan (1988) • # Katatare Projapoti (1989) • # Khun O Bhalobasha (1990) • # Kalketu and Fullora (1992) • # Bhalobasha Pritilota (1992) • # Tanaporen (1994) • # Gayetree Shondha (1996) • # Dipannita (1997) • # Joddha (1998) • # Kaktarua (1999) • # Lara (2000) • # Kathkoylar Chhobi (2001) • # Mohinir Biye (2002) • # Anobic Andhar (2003) • # Ghumkature Ishwar (2004) • # Morger Neelpakhi (2005) • # Opekkha (2007) • # Deener Roshite Gittu (2007) • # Mati O Shossher Bunon (2007) • # Purno Chobir Mognota (2008) • # Bhumi O Kushum (2010) • # Jomuna Nodir Mushayra (2011) • # Gachhtir Chhaya Nai (2012) • # Shonali Dumur (2012) • # August-er Ak Raat (2013) • # Guerilla O Beerangona (2014) • # Dinkaler Kathkhor (2015)

Stories

Awards