Meet the Poet: Shaheen Dil
On November 30, 2025, the Department of English and Humanities (DEH) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) hosted a conversation featuring Bangladeshi American poet Dr. Shaheen Dil in conversation with Dr. Mushira Habib, Assistant Professor, DEH. The event, “Meet the Poet: Shaheen Dil,” offered an intimate hour-long exploration of the life and works of Dr. Shaheen Dil, writer and retired academic, banker, and consultant living in Pittsburgh. Additionally, the poet remotely manages a school in Kuril along with her sister. The school was founded by her mother and currently accommodates approximately four hundred village girls. Dr. Dil’s published works include Acts of Deference (2016), The Boat-Maker’s Art (2024), and her latest, Letters to My Younger Self (2025).
The event commenced with a personal introduction of the poet by Professor Imran Rahman, School of Business. Following this, two students from the Department of English and Humanities recited selections from the author’s poetry. K.M. Kaisarul Islam Rahik read “River at Night,” “What Happened,” and “Eating a Blood Orange in the Morning” from The Boat-Maker’s Art. Tanisha Mahmud read “Lists,” “Midnight Reveille,” and “The Variance of Hours” from Acts of Deference.
The conversation with Dr. Mushira Habib began with questions on Dil’s origins as a writer. Dil shared that she started writing Bangla poetry as a child but later transitioned to English and began to publish her work twenty years ago. Regardless of the shift from her native language, the poet stated that she still felt a profound connection to Bengali culture. She added that the places she had been to, both in Bangladesh and the United States, left a strong resonance within her and came to be reflected in her writings.
Dil then read Letters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, and 31 from Letters to My Younger Self. She described the book as a poetic memoir, addressing her younger self by her childhood nickname “Choity,” and revisiting memories from Old Dhaka in 1954 to New Jersey in 1973. She additionally cited Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet as an inspiration, revealing that she primarily wrote the book for her two children to familiarize them with her roots and history.
Dil additionally discussed the title of her book, The Boat Maker's Art, which originated from her observation that a Bangladeshi fisherman’s dedicated care for his boat and an American yacht owner’s pride share a common foundation. In both cases, the vessel transcends mere convenience, symbolizing livelihood, personal independence, and the human ability to conquer water.
Dr. Habib remarked on how Dil’s books had garnered popularity on digital platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Dil was surprised and delighted by the remark, reiterating that her primary inspiration for the project was personal. As a parent of two children growing up in the US, she aimed to provide them with a clear understanding of her background and preserve a meaningful link to their heritage.
Following the discussion, a lively question-and-answer session engaged the audience. Topics ranged from dealing with writer’s block and the difference between writing as a passion and as a career, to practical advice on getting published internationally through platforms like Submittable. Dil emphasized writing for internal reasons and not for external validation, encouraging students to read widely to improve their craft. Dil noted, “If I haven’t written for a while, that means I haven’t been reading good varieties of poetry and scholarly literature for a while. Give yourself those opportunities.” She also highlighted the critical importance of time management, a discipline that enabled her to navigate her multifaceted career.
The event was concluded by Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, Head of the Department of English and Humanities, and Professor Kaiser Haq, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. Prof. Haq welcomed Dr. Dil “home” and highlighted ULAB’s creative platforms like the student-run journal MUSE, expressing hope that the event would inspire continued reading and writing. As a gesture of appreciation, Professor Haq presented a gift to Dr. Shaheen Dil. The seminar culminated with a vote of thanks by Ms. Rahman.
Report by Rushnan Aman (232013066)
