Zia Haider


Zia Haider was a Bangladeshi writer, poet, playwright, translator and professor. His full name Sheikh Faisal Abdur Rouf Mohammad Ziauddin Haider. He was the founder president of Nagorik Nattya Sampraday and founder of the Bangladesh Institute of Theater Arts. He wrote seven poems, 4 plays and translated several plays. He was awarded Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh in 2001 and Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1977.

Early life & education

Haider was born on 18 November 1936 in the village of Doharpara in Pabna District of British India. His father Hakimuddin Sheikh and mother Rahima Khatun. He was the eldest of the boys. His younger brother Rashid Haider, Maqid Haider, Dawood Haider, Zahid Haider, Abid Haider and Arif Haider, all are involved in the literary culture of the country.

Working life

Haider started his career in journalism. In 1961, he joined the weekly Chitrali. Later, he joined as a Professor at the Government Tolaram College, Narayanganj. Occasionally he took over as the officer of the Culture Department of Bangla Academy. After that he worked as a senior producer in Pakistan Television. He started teaching as an Assistant to the Department of Fine Arts of Chittagong University in 1970. He founded the Nagorik Nattya Sampraday. He established the Bangladesh Institute of Theater Arts.