Panna Kaiser: My Deepest Homage

Panna Kaiser, a pious soul of Bangladesh, breathed her last at a private hospital in Dhaka on the 4th day of August 2023. She was equally well known in India too. Her role was a prolific one during the liberation struggle of Bangladesh way back in the year 1971. During the time of Bangladesh Liberation war of the year 1971 is sticking deeply like a fierce wound in the mind and heart of Bengalis of India and Bangladesh. There were so many revolutionaries who sacrificed sincerely and diligently which is inscribed in the history of liberation struggle of Bangladesh. Panna Kaiser was one such revolutionary and social reformer of Bangladesh. She devoted her life for the welfare of the people of hernative land. Being the relict of revolutionary and writer Shahidullah Kaiser, who was abducted by the Al Badr force of erstwhile West Pakistan forces and gruesomely murdered. Panna Kaiser did not broke down at all. 

Rather with courage and determination she groomed up her siblings Somi and Amitabha Kaiser. Both are now well established in life. Daughter Somi is an established actor and Amitabha is a banker in his forte. The child of the author were very lucky to have their erudite mother till the ripe old age of 73 years. Though the children will always prefer their parents till ripe old age. This we should not expect about our parents. There is a popular philosophical saying that,’ when call comes from the above (superpower) nor even us nor even medical professionals could prevent us from departing for eternal peace’. The above biblical thoughts have been accepted by citizens of not only India and Bangladesh. But also from across the globe. The demise of legendary Panna Kaiser should be treated as such, that her time is over hence departed for eternal peace. There are some human beings who suffer prolonged but her demise was very much of an act of pious and amiable temperament.

Panna Kaiser might have departed all of a sudden. It is no doubt a vacuum has been created in and around cultural ambience of Bangladesh as well as that of West Bengal, India. But as her life was of a benevolent disposition throughout. Hence her noble legacies will not be erased off from threshold of our memories. It is the earnest responsibilities of the present generations to hold on to the baton to uphold her legacies. She was an ardent lover of children, which is a rare phenomenon in today’s world. In today’s world we find the societies are becoming more or less materialistic in nature. Children of the present genre are not accorded the desired adoration. This kind of amiable personality of the stature like Panna Kaiser really deserve much desired reverence. That was the reason she opened a children’s cultural centre by the name of ‘Khelaghar’ which in English is referred to as ‘playhouse’. She was the key anchor till her last breath in this earth.

Though Panna Kaiser is no more within us. But is her talented daughter Somi Kaiser and Amitabha Kaiser who will definitely hold on to her noble legacies for long. Somi Kaiser is a reputed actor (stage, small screen, medium screen and large screen) and son Amitabha is a well-known banker of Dhaka city. The citizens of Dhaka have full faith on them. The way Somi was lamenting about her erudite and talented mother, was amazing. Same her brother Amitabha.

People from all walks of life paid deepest homage to the writer and teacher of Bengali literature of Dhaka University. She was so dearly loved by all sections of societies. In the prime of her life, Late Panna had tremendous reversal of life losing her life partner Shahidullah due to the attack of Al Badr group at the dawn of liberation struggle of Bangladesh. It was so shocking for Panna Kaiser. That instead being badly heartbroken, she stood up vibrantly on her feet to groom up her child Somi and Amitabha. This reflects the realm of a courageous lady which is rarely noticeable. As per the views of daughter Somi, ‘her mother’s life was full idealist oriented’. In her critical phase of life, she never bowed down to anybody. By dint of hard-core backbone she groomed up her siblings in such a manner which in later part of their life bore utmost fruit paved the ways towards their success in life. Apart from her paradise ‘Khelaghar’ associates, literatures, Prime Minister, President, information minister plus other ministers of the government of Bangladesh paid rich tributes to the departed soul.

Apart from my above tributes, Late Panna Kaiser, wrote several books in Bengali and English. She also performed great works on Bangabandhu and days of Liberation struggle. Among her prominent works, some of major ones are stated as such,

Muktijuddho Age o Pore, Mukti, Neelima Nil, Hridoye Ekattor, Ami o Amar Muktijuddho, Muktijuddho Somogro, Ekattorer Shahidullah Kaiser, Muktijuddher Kothokatha, Hridoye Bangladesh, Ami, Raseler Joyjatra, Freedom Struggle, A prologue and an epilogue etc various other reputed books of each.

Now legendary Panna Kaiser is in the midst of stars with her revolutionary life partner Shaidullah Kaiser. She wanted to transfer new Bangladesh to glaring heights. Anyhow her next generations, especially her children and inmates of Khelaghar will no doubt carry on her unfinished tasks. Her life philosophy should be benchmark of our everyday in life. We cannot forget her at all. She will continue to remain vivid through her indelible demeanour which is a glaring example upon modern generations of Bangladesh and India. Finally I offer my deepest homage in memory of the departed soul. However governments of both India and Bangladesh should take earnest steps through cultural protocol to publish different works by Late Panna Kaiser.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.