The monthly literary magazine “Nabanoor” was launched in Kolkata in 1903.The magazine’s aim was to engage the Muslim community in literary and intellectual pursuits in the Bengali language. “Nabanoor” was published regularly until May 22, 1907.
First issue of Nabanoor
The first issue of Nabanoor magazine was published on May 15, 1903 (Baisakh 1310). Syed Emdad Ali served as both the editor and publisher of this issue, which was printed by Narayanchandra Ghosh at the Criterion Press located at 115 Amherst Street in Kolkata and published from 143 Koraya Road in Kolkata. The demy 1/8 size magazine contained 40 pages and was published in an initial run of 800 copies. It was priced at 4 Anna.
In the first editorial of “Nabanoor,” editor Syed Emdad Ali wrote:
“…We are seeing that Muslims are lagging behind in every aspect and frustration has overwhelmed their national life. Literature is the only means to uplift the downtrodden Muslims….
Today, we want to invite all Muslim contributors of the Bengali language to join this noble effort. The fate of Hindus and Muslims in India is tied together by divine providence; once victorious, Muslims are now defeated, just as Hindus have suffered reversals of fortune. The fate of India depends on the unity of these two great nations, and literature is the foundation of this unity….
Today, we are inviting every woman, confined to their home, to contribute to literature and enrich Nabanoor…”
Contents of Nabanoor
Nabanoor regularly published poems, stories, novels, reviews, and essays on a variety of topics, including history, art, and philosophy, with the goal of promoting literary pursuits and the use of Bengali as a literary language among Bengali Muslims. The magazine also featured regular articles on the philosophy of Islam and would refute any unfounded or derogatory comments about the religion with well-reasoned arguments in an effort to correct misunderstandings. However, “Nabanoor” was not a communal publication.
Who were the contributors to the magazine?
In addition to Syed Emdad Ali, other writers for “Nabanoor” included Abbdul Karim Sahityabisharad, Kaikobad, Kazi Imdadul Huq, Begum Rokeya, Charubala Devi, Brajasundar Sanyal, Mohammad Hedayetullah, Nishikanta Chakrabarty, and Mohammad Asad Ali. Asad Ali, who served as the proprietor and publisher of the magazine, later became its editor. His name appeared as the publisher from the second issue onward.
Begum Rokeya and Nabanoor
Begum Rokeya began her writing career by contributing to “Nabanoor.” She published a number of articles on women’s empowerment in the magazine, including “Amader Oboniti” (Our Downfall), which was published in 1904. This article argued that jewelry was a symbol of enslavement and drew widespread criticism from both Muslim men and women. Rokeya also published a poem titled “Basiful” (Withered Flower) in the 11th issue (Falgun 1310) of Nabanoor.
Source
- Anisuzzaman, Muslim Banglar Samayikapatra: 1831-1930 (Journals of Muslims Bengal: 1831-1930), Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1969.
- Banglapedia