Humayun Ahmed | |
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হুমায়ূন আহমেদ | |
 Ahmed in 2010 | |
| Born | (1948-11-13)13 November 1948[1] |
| Died | 19 July 2012(2012-07-19) (aged 63) |
| Resting place | Nuhash Palli,Pirujali,Dhaka,Bangladesh[2] |
| Citizenship | Bangladesh |
| Alma mater | North Dakota State University (PhD) |
| Occupation | ·Writer ·Director ·Academic ·Dramatist |
| Years active | 1972–2012 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Shila Ahmed andNuhash Humayun; +5 other children |
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| Signature | |
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Humayun Ahmed (Bengali:হুমায়ূন আহমেদ[ɦumajuːn aɦmed]; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012)[4][5] was aBangladeshi novelist,dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and academic.[6] His breakthrough was his debut novelNondito Noroke published in 1972.[7] He wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books.[8][9] He was one of the most popular authors and filmmakers in post-independence Bangladesh.[10] Pakistani English newspaperDawn referred to him as the cultural legend ofBangladesh.[11]
In the early 1990s, Humayun Ahmed emerged as a filmmaker. He went on to make a total of eight films – each based on his novels. Some of his notable films are:Daruchini Dip,Aguner Poroshmoni,Srabon Megher Din,Shonkhonil Karagar,Dui Duari,Shyamol Chhaya andGhetuputra Komola. He won theNational Film Awards a record seven times in directing, screenplay and story for the filmsGhetuputra Komola,Aguner Poroshmoni,Shonkhonil Karagar,Daruchini Dwip andAnil Bagchir Ekdin. He also won theBangla Academy Literary Award in 1981 and theEkushey Padak in 1994 for his contribution to theBengali literature.
Widely considered one of the cornerstones in modern Bengali literature,[12] his works are characterized bynon-violence,realistic storylines,family drama, andhumor styles. His filmsShyamol Chhaya andGhetuputra Komola were submitted for the78th Academy Awards and85th Academy Awards respectively in theBest Foreign Language Film category.[13][14]
Ahmed was born on 13 November 1948, in the Moulvi Bari ofKutubpur inNetrokona mahakuma,[note 1] which was then a part of theMymensingh district ofEast Bengal in theDominion of Pakistan (now Bangladesh).[15][4][16] His mother, Ayesha Foyez (née Khatun) (1930–2014), was a housewife.[17] His father,Faizur Rahman Ahmed (1921–1971), was a sub-divisional police officer inPirojpur District and was killed in 1971 during theBangladesh Liberation War.[18] His grandfather, Azimuddin Ahmed, was the son of theSufipir Jahangir Munshi. Humayun's brother,Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, is a writer and academician. Another brother,Ahsan Habib, is a cartoonist. He had three sisters – Sufia Haider, Momtaz Shahid and Rukhsana Ahmed.[19]
During his childhood, Humayun Ahmed lived inSylhet,Comilla,Chittagong,Bogra,Dinajpur and where his father was on official assignment.[16]
Ahmed studied inChittagong Collegiate School.[20] He passed theSSC examination fromBogura Zilla School in 1965.[16] He then passedHSC fromDhaka College. Humayun Ahmed earned his bachelor's and master's degrees inChemistry from theUniversity of Dhaka.[16] He joined as a faculty member of the same university.[16] Later he earned his PhD inpolymer chemistry fromNorth Dakota State University. He returned to Bangladesh and taught in the department of chemistry in University of Dhaka for several more years[16]
Ahmed wrote his debut novelNondito Noroke(In Blissful Hell) during the1971 Bangladesh independence war while he was a university student.[21][22] The novel was published in 1972 by the initiative of writerAhmed Sofa under Khan Brother's Publishers.[23][24] From his very first novel, his themes included the aspirations of average middle-class urban families and portrayed quintessential moments of their lives.[25] His second novel wasShonkhonil Karagar.[26]
Ahmed wrote fictional series featuring recurring characters such asHimu (21 novels),Misir Ali (19 novels and 11 short stories),Shuvro (6 novels)[26][27][28] Other important non-recurring characters areBaker Bhai,Tuni and more. He wrote several novels based on theBangladesh Liberation War –Aguner Poroshmoni,Matal Hawa,Paap,1971,Jochona O Jononir Golpo.,[26] andDeyal. He also wrote many romantic novels includingSrabon Megher Din,Badol Diner Prothom Kodom Phool,Noboni,Krishnopoksho,Aj Dupure Tomar Nimontran, andTumi Amai Dekechhile Chhutir Nimontrane.[26] His novelGouripur Junction was translated in nine languages.[26]
Ahmed wrote autobiographies,Amar Chelebela,Ballpoint,Fountain Pen,Hiji-biji,Hotel Graver Inn,May Flower,Kath Pencil,Lilabotir Mrityu,New York-er Nil Akashe Jhokjhoke Rod andRong Pencil.[29][30][31][32]
Ahmed's first television drama wasProthom Prohor (1983), directed byNawazish Ali Khan.[33] His first drama serial wasEi Shob Din Ratri (1985). This was followed by the comedy seriesBohubrihi (1988), the historical drama seriesAyomoy (1988), the urban drama seriesKothao Keu Nei (1990),Nokkhotrer Raat (1996), andAaj Robibar (1999). In addition, he made single episode dramas, most notablyNimful (1997).[34] Recurring characters in dramas directed and screenplayed by him areTara Tin Jon and Alauddiner Cherager Doitto.
Ahmed directed films based on his own stories. His first film,Aguner Poroshmoni (1994), based on the Bangladesh Liberation War, won the19th Bangladesh National Film Awards in a total of eight categories, including the awards for the Best Film and the Best Director.[35][36] Another filmShyamal Chhaya (2005) was also based on the same war.[37] His last directed film,Ghetuputra Kamola (2012), the story of a teenage boy, was set inthe British colonial period.[38]
Shyamol Chhaya andGhetuputra Kamola were selected as the Bangladeshi entries for theAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006 and 2012 respectively, but were not nominated.[39][40]
In 2009, Ahmed appeared as one of two judges for the reality television music competition show Khude Gaanraj.[41]
ActorAffan Mitul debuted with his dramaNuruddin Swarna Padak. It was produced and directed by Humayun Ahmed himself.
Ahmed composed around 40 songs which he used in his films and television dramas.[42] The songs were based on the folk music of the north-eastern part of Bangladesh.[42] His notable singles include "Ekta Chhilo Shonar Konya","Pubali Batashey","O Amar Ural Ponkhi Rey","Jodi Mon Kadey","Ke Porailo Amar Chokh-e Kolonko Kajol","Chadni Poshor Raite Ke Anay Shoron Kore","Ami Aaj Bhejabo Chokh Somudrer Joley","Cholona Brishtitey Bhiji","Channi Poshor Raite Jeno Amar Moron Hoy","Hablonger Bajarey Giya", "Boroshar Prothom Dine", Thikana Amar Notebook E Ache", "Baje Bongshi", "Aaj Jorir Biye", "Cholo Na Jai", "Chika Maro" and"Konya Nachilo Rey" etc.[42] The songs were rendered bySubir Nandi, Selim Chowdhury,S I Tutul,Meher Afroz Shaon,Sabina Yasmin,Agun,Kuddus Boyati and others.[42] In his most films and TV dramas, the music composer wasMaksud Jamil Mintu.
Nobel laureate economistMuhammad Yunus assessed Ahmed's overall impact saying: "Humayun's works are the most profound and most fruitful that literature has experienced since the time ofTagore andNazrul."[9] Similarly, according to poetAl Mahmud, "one golden age of Bengali literature ended with Tagore and Nazrul and another began with Ahmed".[9] WriterImdadul Haq Milan considered him to be "the almighty lord of Bengali literature, controlling all their actions and thoughts".[9]Dawn, Pakistan's oldest and most widely read English-language newspaper, referred to him as the cultural legend of Bangladesh.[43]Times of India credited Humayun as "the person who single-handedly shifted the capital of Bengali literature from Kolkata to Dhaka".
[9]Sunil Gangopadhyay described him as the most popular writer in theBengali language for a century[44] and according to him, Ahmed was even more popular thanSarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[45] However, during his lifetime authorShahriar Kabir dismissed him for "always speaking for the establishment."[46] Literary criticAzfar Hussain said: "I am not surprised he talks like a pro-establishment writer. I find him ignorant."[46]
On 11 May 2012, two chapters of Ahmed's future novelDeyal were published in the dailyProthom Alo.[47] 3 days later, Attorney General of BangladeshMahbubey Alam drew attention of theHigh Court on a discrepancy about a detail of the historical event of killingSheikh Russel in Ahmed's writing.[48][47] The court later issued asuo moto rule and asked the authorities to provide Ahmed copies of relevant documents and judgements of the killing case, so that Ahmed could rectify the writing.[49][47]
Ahmed married Gultekin Khan in 1973.[35][36][50] Together they had three daughters, Bipasha Ahmed (born early 1980s),Shila Ahmed (born early 1980s), Dr. Nova Ahmed (born late 1970s) and one son,Nuhash Humayun (born January 1, 1992). Shila went on to become a television and film actress, Nova is a professor at the ECE department atNorth South University, and Nuhash became a writer, film director, and producer.[51] Bipasha also acted in a supporting role inNokkhotrer Raat and starred inMayaboti. On 6 June 2004, Ahmed divorced Gultekin.[52] He then married actressMeher Afroz Shaon in 2004. He had two sons from the second marriage, Nishad Humayun (born mid 2000s) and Ninith Humayun (born early 2010s). He later had a daughter, Lilaboti, who suffered a neonatal death. A lake in Nuhash Palli was named after her.[53]
Ahmed was aSunni Muslim, and he described the Islamic scholarMuhiuddin Khan as his father figure.[54]
Ahmed had open-heart surgery atMount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore.[55] A few years later, during a routine checkup, doctors found a cancerous tumor in his colon. On 14 September 2011, he was flown toMemorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center in New York City for treatment.[55] During his stay there, he wrote the novel,Deyal, based on the life ofSheikh Mujibur Rahman andZiaur Rahman after the period of Bangladesh Liberation War.[56] In January 2011, he was appointed as a senior special adviser of the Bangladesh Mission to the United Nations.[57]
On 12 May 2012, Ahmed returned to Bangladesh for two weeks.[58] He died on 19 July 2012, at 11:20pmBST atBellevue Hospital in New York City.[8] There was some tension in the family over the selection of his burial site, but eventually his estate, Nuhash Palli was selected.[2]
In recognition of the works of Humayun,The Times of India wrote, "Humayun was a custodian of the Bangladeshi literary culture whose contribution single-handedly shifted the capital of Bengali literature fromKolkata toDhaka without any war or revolution." and entitled him "TheShakespeare of Bangladesh".[59]Sunil Gangopadhyay described him as the most popular writer in theBengali language for a century, and according to him (Sunil), Humayun Ahmed was even more popular thanSarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[60] His works, such asKothao Keu Nei,Aaj Robibar, andBohubrihi, are still considered relevant by fans and critics.[61] Many Bangladeshi filmmakers are still inspired by his works.[62] Humayun Ahmed's books have been the top sellers at theEkushey Book Fair during every year of the 1990s and 2000s.[63]
Exim Bank, a commercial bank and Anyadin, an entertainment magazine jointly introduced an award program,Humayun Ahmed Sahitya Puruskar, which would be conferred to two writers every year on Ahmed's birth anniversary – 12 November.[64]
Several cinematographic adaptations of Ahmed's stories are made after his death.Anil Bagchir Ekdin (2015), directed byMorshedul Islam, won sixBangladesh National Film Awards.[65]Krishnopokkho (2016) was directed by Meher Afroz Shaon.[66] In October 2016, she announced the production of her next film based onNokkhotrer Raat.[67]Debi (2018) is produced by a grant from theGovernment of Bangladesh.[68][69]
In 1987, Ahmed founded an estate,Nuhash Palli, named after his son Nuhash, near Pirujali village, 25 km fromGazipur City, inGazipur District,[70] which grew to cover 40bigha (approximately 14 acres).[71] He would spend much of his time at the estate when he was in Bangladesh. He formed a collection of statues there by local artist Asaduzzaman Khan and another of plants from around the world, particularly medicinal and fruit-bearing trees.[70] he set up his own production company named Nuhash Chalachitra here.
In 1988, he bought a property in the island ofSaint Martin with ৳16000 ($132.03) and made a seaside residence named, 'Shomudro Bilash'. After his death in 2012, his wifeMeher Afroz Shaon got the property handed over to her. She turned the residence into a resort.[72] Now, the resort can be rented by tourists.[73]
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