Rahija Khanam Jhunu (21 June 1943 – 26 November 2017) was a Bangladeshi dancer. She was awarded the

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak () is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of martyrs of the Bengali language movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contributions in a number of fields, including culture, education, and e ...

in 1990 by the

government of Bangladesh The government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh () is the central government of Bangladesh. The government was constituted by the Constitution of Bangladesh comprising the executive (the president, prime minister and cabinet), the ...

Education and career

Jhunu got admitted at the Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA) in 1956. She performed in dance-drama ''"Chirokaler Bondhutto"'' at a program in honor of the then Chinese Premier

Zhou Enlai Zhou Enlai ( zh, s=周恩来, p=Zhōu Ēnlái, w=Chou1 Ên1-lai2; 5 March 1898 – 8 January 1976) was a Chinese statesman, diplomat, and revolutionary who served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China from September 1954 unti ...

who was visiting. She joined BAFA as an instructor in 1960 and became its principal in 1998. Jhunu's notable students include Lubna Marium, Zinat Barkatullah,

Shamim Ara Nipa Shamim Ara Nipa is a Bangladeshi dancer and choreographer. She was born in Kishoreganj on 1 January, 1953. She was married to dancer Hasan Imam from whom she was later divorced. She serves as a director of ''Nrityanchal Dance Company''. She was ...

, Sohel Rahman, Shaju Ahmed and

Sadia Islam Mou Sadia Islam Mou (born 21 June 1976) is a Bangladeshi model and television actress. She became popular during the 1990s by appearing in television advertisements. Career Mou debuted into modeling in 1989 through the television advertisement on ' ...

Works

;Dance drama * ''

Nakshi Kanthar Math ''Nakshi Kanthar Math'' () is a dramatized Bengali verse narrative written by poet Jasimuddin published in 1928. The verse is considered a masterpiece in Bengali language and has been translated into many different languages. The poem was trans ...

'' * ''Chirokaler Bondhutto'' * ''Surjomukhi Nodi'' * ''Uttoroner Deshe'' * ''Hajar Tarer Beena'' * ''The Malady'' ;Books * ''Nrityoshilpo'' * ''Nrityer Ruprekha''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jhunu, Rahija Khanam 1943 births 2017 deaths People from Manikganj District Bangladeshi female dancers Bangladeshi dancers Recipients of the Ekushey Padak Bangladeshi choreographers Bangladeshi women choreographers