Shamim Azad

• Name — Shamim Azad • Native Name — শামীম আজাদ • Born — 11 November 1952 • Birthplace — Mymensingh, East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan • Occupation — Poet, storyteller, writer • Citizenship — British • Education — * Kumudini College • University of Dhaka • Years Active — 1988–present • Spouse — Selim Jahan • Father — Abu Ahmad Mahmud Tarafdar • Mother — Anowara Khanom • Awards — Bangla Academy Literary Award

Azad was born in Mymensingh, East Bengal in the then Dominion of Pakistan where her father had worked. Her hometown was in Sylhet. She passed her SSC from Jamalpur Girls High School in 1967 and passed her HSC from Kumudini College in 1969. She enrolled in University of Dhaka and earned honours degree in 1972 and a master's degree in 1973. In 1990, Azad came to England.

Azad's work ranges from Bangladeshi to European folktales. Her performance fuses the lines between education and entertainment and her workshops are rooted in Asian folk, oral traditions and heritage. Azad has published 37 books including novels, collections of short stories, essays and poems in both English and Bengali and has been included in various anthologies including British South Asian Poetry, My Birth Was Not in Vain, Velocity, Emlit Project and Mother Tongues. She wrote two plays for Half Moon Theatre. She has worked with composers Richard Blackford, Kerry Andrew, choreographer Rosemary Lee, visual artist Robin Whitemore and playwright Mary Cooper. Azad has performed at venues including the Museum of London, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Cambridge Water Stone, Liberty Radio, Battersea Arts Centre, Lauderdale House, the Commonwealth Institute, British Library, British Council of Bangladesh, Takshila in Pakistan and New York. Her residencies have included, Tower Hamlets Summer University, Sunderland City Library and Arts Centre, East Side Arts, Poetry Society, Magic Me, Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, Kinetika, Bromley by Bow Centre, Half Moon Theatre, and Apples and Snakes. Azad is a trustee of Rich Mix in Shoreditch, founder chair of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (World Literature Centre UK) in London. She is part of the East storytelling group, which invites local residents to join in sharing some of the stories brought together by the Eastend's rich, diverse history of immigration.

Azad lives in Wanstead, Redbridge, London.

• Year — Title • 1988 — Shirno Shuktara • 1989 — Dui Romonir Moddhoshomoy • 1991 — Arekjon • 2003 — Shamim Azader Golpo Shonkolon • 2009 — A Vocal Chorus • 2012 — Priongboda • 2018 — Bongshobeej

• Year — Title • 1983 — Valobashar Kobita • 1984 — Sporsher Opekkha • 1988 — He Jubok Tomar Vobisshot • 2007 — Om • 2008 — Jiol Jokhom • 2010 — Jonmandho Jupiter • 2011 — Shamim Azader Prem Opremer 100 Kobita

Shamim Azad is recorded as a citizen of United Kingdom. Recorded with the occupation writer.

• Year — Title • 1998 — British South Asian Poetry • 2001 — My Birth Was Not in Vain • 2003 — Velocity (25 Bochorer Bileter Kobita) • 2008 — The Majestic Night