Kolkata, Jan 11 (IANS): Bangladeshi author Urmi Rahaman Saturday said political upheavals in her country are affecting the exchange of art, culture and literature between it and India.
Though India's West Bengal state and Bangladesh have commonalities in terms of language and literature, the bond is not as strong as it should be, courtesy the political scenario in her country, she said.
"I wish there was more closeness between the two countries and between Bangladesh and Bengal...but how I don't know. The politics have affected them," Rahaman said during a session at the ongoing Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival 2014 here.
Rahaman has a number of publications to her credit, which include both fiction and non-fiction, children's books and works on women's and immigrant issues.
She also wished Hindi films, with English subtitles, were released in Bangladesh.