Bonde Ali Mia (17 January 1906 – 27 June 1979) was a renowned Bangladeshi poet, novelist, dramatist, essayist, children’s writer, journalist, and artist. Born in Radhanagar village in Pabna district, he passed his matriculation from Radhanagar Majumdar Academy in 1923 and studied painting at the Indian Art Academy in Kolkata, graduating in 1927.
Mia began his career as a journalist for the Islamic magazine Islam Darshan and later taught at a Kolkata Corporation School from 1930 to 1950. During this period, he developed close ties with prominent poets Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, which influenced his literary path. His compositions, particularly his Palagan songs and plays, gained popularity in Kolkata’s Gramophone markets.
After moving to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), he worked at Dhaka and Rajshahi radio, served as editor of literary magazines Bikash and Bhorer Alo, and contributed significantly to Bengali literature. His poetic works often depict rural life, nature, and social issues with vivid and artistic expression. Some of his notable works include the poetry collections Maynamotir Char (1930), Anurag (1932), Padmanadir Char (1953), Madhumatir Char (1953), and novels like Basanta Jagrota Dhare (1931), Shes Lagna (1941), and children’s stories such as Chor Jamai (1927).
Bonde Ali Mia received numerous awards including the Bangla Academy Literary Award (1962), President’s Award (1965), Pride of Performance Award (1967, Pakistan), Uttara Sahitya Majlis Padak (1977), and posthumously the Ekushey Padak in 1988. His poems have been included in school curricula across Bangladesh and his legacy continues to influence Bengali literature and education.