The 74th birth anniversary of legendary writer, author, dramatist, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed is being celebrated on today.
One of the most influential Bengali writers of modern time Humayun Ahmed (November 13, 1948 – July 19, 2012) who was often regarded as the best writer in Bengali literature after Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam got his major breakthrough with debut novel Nondito Noroke published in 1972.
Making his breakthrough with debut novel ‘Nondito Noroke’ (1972) , he wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh and are still popular among his readers. His books were the top sellers at the Ekushey Book Fair during the 1990s and 2000s.
For his majestic writing, he won many prestigious awards, including country’s highest honor Ekushey Padak (1994) award, and Bangla Academy Literary Award (1981), for his contribution to Bengali literature.
As a successful content-maker in television, Humayun debuted with his drama ‘Prothom Prohor’ (1983) for Bangladesh Television (BTV). His successful journey in television continued with popular drama serials ‘Ei Shob Din Ratri’, ‘Bohubrihi’, ‘Ayomoy’, ‘Nokkhotrer Raat’, ‘Aaj Robibar’, and most notably, ‘Kothao Keu Nei’.
Humayun Ahmed also explored success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and went on to make a total of eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his own novels. Two of his films, ‘Syamol Chhaya’ (2004) and ‘Ghetuputra Komola’ (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective years.
He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films ‘Shonkhonil Karagar’ (as screenwriter), ‘Aguner Poroshmoni’, ‘Daruchini Dwip’ and ‘Ghetuputra Komola’.
Often credited with revitalising Bengali literature, Humayun Ahmed is best known for his ‘magic-realism’ based writing.
Cultural arena of the country have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the birth anniversary of the iconic writer.
The programmes include offering prayers at Humayun Ahmed’s grave at Nuhash Palli. Humayun’s family members and fans will also pay homage to the writer by placing wreaths at his grave.
Different television channels of the country will also air various programmes on the occasion.
Channel i will air a special musical live show at 7:30 am to pay tribute to the writer. The channel has arranged ‘Himu Mela’. The fair will start at 11:05pm on the premises of Channel i building.
Humayun Ahmed-directed film ‘Chandrokotha’ will be telecast at 3:05pm. Asaduzzaman Noor, Ferdous Ahmed, Meher Afroz Shaon, Champa, Ahmed Rubel are the lead actors of the movie. A single-episode drama ‘Hablonger Bazar E’ will be aired on the channel at 7:30pm.
Banglavision will air a special episode of ‘Din Protidin’ at 8:30am. Actor Faruque Ahamed will reminisce his memories with Humayun Ahmed in the show.
A special episode of ‘Cinemar Gaan’ will be aired on 1:30pm. The programme features few popular songs from Humayun Ahmed-directed films.
Humayun Ahmed, son of Foyzur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez, was born in Kutubpur of Netrakona district on November 13 in 1948.
He passed his SSC examination from Bogura Zilla School in 1967 and obtained the second position in the merit list of Rajshahi Education Board. He passed HSC examination from Dhaka College in 1969.
Then, he admitted to Dhaka University and graduated as a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and got a Master’s degree in science. After that, he worked as a lecturer at Bangladesh Agricultural University for six months and then joined Dhaka University as a teacher of Chemistry.
His breakthrough was his debut novel titled ‘Nondito Noroke’, published in 1972. Since then, he wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books. His books were the top sellers at the Ekushey Book Fair during the 1990s and 2000s.
He won the Bangla Academy Award and the Ekushey Padak for his contribution in the field of Bengali literature. In the early 1990s, Ahmed emerged as a filmmaker as well. He also received six Bangladesh National Film Awards.
Humayun Ahmed was diagnosed with cancer in September 2010. HE breathed his last in the United States on July 19, 2012, while undergoing treatment.
