Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012)
was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his
debut novel
A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to p ...
''
Nondito Noroke
''Nondito Noroke'' ( bn, নন্দিত নরকে, lit=Nondito Noroke, links=no "In Blissful Hell") is a 1972 novel by Bangladeshi author Humayun Ahmed. Ahmed wrote this debut novel in 1970 while he was an undergraduate student at the Univer ...
'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, many of which were bestsellers in
Bangladesh
Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...
.
His books were the top sellers at the
Ekushey Book Fair
The Ekushey Book Fair ( bn, একুশে বই মেলা, Ekuśe Bôi Mela), officially called Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela ( bn, অমর একুশে গ্রন্থ মেলা, lit='Immortal Book Fair of the Twenty-first f February ...
during the 1990s and 2000s.
He won the
Bangla Academy Literary Award
The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...
in 1981 and the
Ekushey Padak
Ekushey Padak ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...
in 1994 for his contribution to
Bengali literature
Bengali literature ( bn, বাংলা সাহিত্য, Bangla Sahityô) denotes the body of writings in the Bengali language and which covers Old Bengali, Middle- Bengali and Modern Bengali with the changes through the passage of time ...
.
In the early 1990s, Ahmed emerged as a filmmaker. He went on to make a total of eight films - each based on his own novels. He received six
Bangladesh National Film Awards
The National Film Awards ( bn, জাতীয় চলচ্চিত্র পুরস্কার) is an annual awards ceremony held annually in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is considered to be the most prominent film award ceremony in Banglades ...
in different categories for the films ''
Daruchini Dip
''Daruchini Dwip'' ( bn, দারুচিনি দ্বীপ) is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language film. It was released on 31 August 2007 throughout Bangladesh. The film is based on the Bangladeshi novelist and film maker Humayun Ahmed’s p ...
'', ''
Aguner Poroshmoni
''Aguner Poroshmoni'' is a 1994 film based on the novel of the same name written and directed by Humayun Ahmed. The film won ''National Film Award'' in eight categories including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Plot. It was the first movie di ...
'' and ''
Ghetuputra Komola
''Ghetuputra Komola'' ( bn, ঘেটুপুত্র কমলা, ''Gheṭuputro Kômola'', Pleasure Boy Komola) is a 2012 Bangladeshi musical film written and directed by Humayun Ahmed and produced by Impress Telefilm. The film is Humayan ...
''. He has his own production company named
Nuhash Chalachitra
Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 ...
.
Considered as one of the cornerstones in modern Bengali literature, his works are characterized by
non-violence
Nonviolence is the personal practice of not causing harm to others under any condition. It may come from the belief that hurting people, animals and/or the environment is unnecessary to achieve an outcome and it may refer to a general philosoph ...
,
realistic storyline,
family drama
In film and television show, television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or docudrama, semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humour, humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms t ...
and
humor styles
Humor styles are a subject of research in the field of personality psychology that focuses on the ways in which individuals differ in their use of humor. People of all ages and cultures respond to humor, but their use of it can vary greatly. There ...
. His works such as
Kothao Keu Nei
''Kothao Keu Nei'' (Bengali: কোথাও কেউ নেই, English: ''No one is nowhere'') is a Bangladeshi drama television series written by Humayun Ahmed, which aired on Bangladesh Television from 1993 to 1994. The series is about the s ...
,
Aaj Robibar
Aaj Robibar (Bengali: আজ রবিবার; ''Today's Sunday'') is a Bangladeshi television sitcom created by Humayun Ahmed that was originally aired on BTV in 1997—considered one of the finest works from Humayun Ahmeds filming career. I ...
,
Srabon Megher Din
''Srabon Megher Din'' ( bn, শ্রাবণ মেঘের দিন, English: A Day of the Month Srabon) is a Bangladeshi drama film based on the novel of Humayun Ahmed. This movie based on a triangle tragic love story set in a classical vil ...
are still regarded as masterpieces by the critics. He was one of the most influential writers in Bangladesh history for 15 (1990-2005) years where most popular soap operas where written by him. Many Bangladeshi film makers are still inspired from his works. His films ''
Shyamol Chhaya
''Shyamol Chhaya'' ( bn, শ্যামল ছায়া; English: ''The Green Shade'') is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language film. It was released on 16 December 2004. Written and directed by Humayun Ahmed. Stars Humayun Faridi, Challenger, Ria ...
'' and ''
Ghetuputra Komola
''Ghetuputra Komola'' ( bn, ঘেটুপুত্র কমলা, ''Gheṭuputro Kômola'', Pleasure Boy Komola) is a 2012 Bangladeshi musical film written and directed by Humayun Ahmed and produced by Impress Telefilm. The film is Humayan ...
'' were gradually submitted for the
78th Academy Awards
The 78th Academy Awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), took place on March 5, 2006, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles beginning at 5:00 p.m. PST / 8:00 p.m. EST. The ceremony was ...
and
85th Academy Awards
The 85th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best 2012 in film, films of 2012 and took place on February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Hollywood, ...
in the
Best Foreign Language Film
This is a list of categories of awards commonly awarded through organizations that bestow film awards, including those presented by various film, festivals, and people's awards.
Best Actor/Best Actress
*See Best Actor#Film awards, Best Actress#F ...
category.
Early life and background
Ahmed was born on 13 November 1948 in Kutubpur village in the then Netrokona Mahakuma
[Current ]Netrokona district
Netrokona ( bn, নেত্রকোণা) is a district of the Mymensingh Division in northern Bangladesh.
Etymology
The headquarters of Netrokona District was located at the end of the Mogra River and was called Natorkona. Many people believe ...
region was a mahakuma {{Unreferenced, date=December 2015
Mahakuma ( bn, মহকুমা) is an administrative division of India denoting a sub-district.
Subdivisions of Bangladesh
Mahakuma was a term of administration under district containing some sub-district ...
under Mymensingh District
Mymensingh ( bn, ময়মনসিংহ) is a district in Mymensingh Division, Bangladesh, and is bordered on the north by Meghalaya, a state of India and the Garo Hills, on the south by Gazipur District, on the east by the districts of Netr ...
during 1882–1984. under
Mymensingh District
Mymensingh ( bn, ময়মনসিংহ) is a district in Mymensingh Division, Bangladesh, and is bordered on the north by Meghalaya, a state of India and the Garo Hills, on the south by Gazipur District, on the east by the districts of Netr ...
,
East Bengal
ur,
, common_name = East Bengal
, status = Province of the Dominion of Pakistan
, p1 = Bengal Presidency
, flag_p1 = Flag of British Bengal.svg
, s1 = East ...
,
Dominion of Pakistan
Between 14 August 1947 and 23 March 1956, Pakistan was an independent federal dominion in the Commonwealth of Nations, created by the passing of the Indian Independence Act 1947 by the British parliament, which also created the Dominion of I ...
(now in
Kendua Upazila
Kendua ( bn, কেন্দুয়া) is an upazila of Netrokona District in the Division of Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
Geography
Kendua is located at . It has 51221 households and total area 303.6 km2.
Demographics
According to 2011 Bang ...
,
Netrokona District
Netrokona ( bn, নেত্রকোণা) is a district of the Mymensingh Division in northern Bangladesh.
Etymology
The headquarters of Netrokona District was located at the end of the Mogra River and was called Natorkona. Many people believe ...
, Bangladesh).
His mother, Ayesha Foyez () (1930–2014), was a homemaker. His father, Foyzur Rahman Ahmed (1921–1971), was a sub-divisional police officer in Pirojpur District
Pirojpur () is a district (zilla) in southern-western Bangladesh. It is a part of Barisal Division.
Etymology
According to myth, the second son of Subedar Shah Shuja, Firoz Shah, died in this area, and the area became known subsequently as 'Fi ...
and was killed in 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War ( bn, মুক্তিযুদ্ধ, , also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence, or simply the Liberation War in Bangladesh) was a revolution and War, armed conflict sparked by the rise of the Benga ...
. In 2011, politician Delwar Hossain Sayeedi
Allama Delwar Hossain Sayeedi is a Bangladeshi Islamic scholar, former politician and lecturer, who served as a Member of Parliament representing the Pirojpur-1, Barisal, constituency during 1996–2006.
He has been arrested in 2013, after whi ...
was put on trial for the killing but was acquitted of the charge in 2013 due to a lack of evidence. Humayun's brother, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal ( bn, মুহম্মদ জাফর ইকবাল; ; born 23 December 1952) is a Bangladeshi science fiction author, physicist, academic, activist & former professor of computer science and engineering and former head ...
, is a writer and academician. Another brother, Ahsan Habib
Ahsan Habib (2 January 1917 – 10 July 1985) was a Bangladeshi poet and literary figure in Bengali culture. He was born in the village of Shankarpasha, in Pirojpur. Before the India-Pakistan partition, he worked on several literary magazines: ' ...
, is a cartoonist. He had three sisters – Sufia Haider, Momtaz Shahid and Rukhsana Ahmed.
During his childhood, Ahmed lived in Sylhet
Sylhet ( bn, সিলেট) is a metropolitan city in northeastern Bangladesh. It is the administrative seat of the Sylhet Division. Located on the north bank of the Surma River at the eastern tip of Bengal, Sylhet has a subtropical climate an ...
, Comilla
Comilla (; bn, কুমিল্লা, Kumillā, ), officially spelled Cumilla, is the fifth largest city of Bangladesh and second largest in Chittagong division. It is the administrative centre of the Comilla District. The name Comilla was ...
, Chittagong
Chittagong ( /ˈtʃɪt əˌɡɒŋ/ ''chit-uh-gong''; ctg, চিটাং; bn, চিটাগং), officially Chattogram ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম), is the second-largest city in Bangladesh after Dhaka and third largest city in B ...
, Bogra
Bogra ( bn, বগুড়া), officially known as Bogura, is a major city located in Bogra District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. The city is a major commercial hub in Northern Bangladesh. It is the second largest city in Rajshahi Divi ...
, Dinajpur
Dinajpur ( bn, দিনাজপুর ) is a city and the District headquarters of Dinajpur district situated in Rangpur Division, Bangladesh. It was founded in 1786. It is located 413 km north-west of Dhaka in Bangladesh. It is bounde ...
and where his father was on official assignment.[
]
Education and early career
Ahmed studied in Chittagong Collegiate School
Chittagong Collegiate School is a government educational institution in Chittagong, the southern port city in Bangladesh.It provides education from 5th to 12th grade. Established in 1836, it is one of the oldest and the best educational institutes ...
. He passed the SSC examination from Bogra Zilla School
Bogra Zilla School ( bn, বগুড়া জিলা স্কুল) is one of the oldest high schools in the Bogra District of Bangladesh and one of the top-ranked schools in the country. It provides education from class three (Grade-3) to c ...
in 1965.[ He then passed HSC from ]Dhaka College
Dhaka College ( bn, ঢাকা কলেজ also known as DC) is the oldest secular educational institution of Bangladesh located in Dhaka. It offers higher secondary education ( HSC). It has Honours and Masters programs as well which are aff ...
. Humayun Ahmed earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemistry from the University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...
.[ He joined as a faculty member of the same university.][ Later he earned his PhD in ]polymer chemistry
Polymer chemistry is a sub-discipline of chemistry that focuses on the structures of chemicals, chemical synthesis, and chemical and physical properties of polymers and macromolecules. The principles and methods used within polymer chemistry are ...
from North Dakota State University
North Dakota State University (NDSU, formally North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences) is a public land-grant research university in Fargo, North Dakota. It was founded as North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890 as t ...
. He returned to Bangladesh and taught in the department of chemistry in University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...
for several more years[
]
Works
Novels
Ahmed wrote his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke
''Nondito Noroke'' ( bn, নন্দিত নরকে, lit=Nondito Noroke, links=no "In Blissful Hell") is a 1972 novel by Bangladeshi author Humayun Ahmed. Ahmed wrote this debut novel in 1970 while he was an undergraduate student at the Univer ...
'' ''(In Blissful Hell)'' during the 1971 Bangladesh independence war
The Bangladesh Liberation War ( bn, মুক্তিযুদ্ধ, , also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence, or simply the Liberation War in Bangladesh) was a revolution and War, armed conflict sparked by the rise of the Benga ...
while he was a university student. The novel was published in 1972 by the initiative of writer Ahmed Sofa
Ahmed Sofa ( bn, আহমদ ছফা, ; 30 June 194328 July 2001) was a Bangladeshi writer, thinker, novelist, poet, philosopher and public intellectual. Sofa is considered by many, including National Professor Abdur Razzaq (Professor), Abdur ...
under Khan Brother's Publishers. From his very first novel, his themes included the aspirations of average middle-class urban families and portrayed quintessential moments of their lives. His second novel was '' Shonkhonil Karagar''.
Ahmed wrote fictional series featuring recurring characters such as Himu
Himu ( bn, হিমু) is a Bengali name. Notable people with the name include:
* Himu (character)
Himu or Himaloy ( bn, হিমু or হিমালয়) is a fictional character created by the Bangladeshi writer Humayun Ahmed who appear ...
(21 novels), Misir Ali
Misir Ali ( bn, মিসির আলি) is a fictional character in a series of novels by Bangladeshi author Humayun Ahmed. He was described as one of the most famous characters in Bengali literature, TV and film over the last three decades.
In ...
(19 novels and 11 short stories), Shuvro
Shuvro (শুভ্র in Bengali), sometimes transliterated as Shubhro or Śubhra, is a fictional character created by Bangladeshi writer Humayun Ahmed. Shuvro is one of Ahmed's recurring characters, who first appeared in the short story "Ekti S ...
(6 novels)[ Other important non-rucurring characters are ]Baker Bhai
Baker Bhai ( bn, বাকের ভাই lit. "Brother Bāker") is the lead character in a popular Bangladeshi television series called ''Kothao Keu Nei''. The character is portrayed by Bangladeshi actor Asaduzzaman Noor. The show was created b ...
, Tuni
Tuni is a city in Kakinada district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a second biggest city in kakinada district. It is a major commercial marketing center for more than 100 surrounding villages in the district. Tuni is a border p ...
and more. He wrote several novels based on the Bangladesh Liberation War – ''Aguner Poroshmoni'', ''Matal Hawa'', ''Paap'', ''1971'', ''Jochona O Jononir Golpo
''Jochna O Jononir Golpo'' ( bn, জোছনা ও জননীর গল্প, ) is a novel by Humayun Ahmed. The novel was published in February, 2004. ''.,[ and '' Deyal''. He also wrote many romantic novels including ''Srabon Megher Din'', ''Badol Diner Prothom Kodom Phool'', ''Noboni'', ''Krishnopoksho'', ''Aj Dupure Tomar Nimontran'', and ''Tumi Amai Dekechhile Chhutir Nimontrane''.][ His novel ''Gouripur Junction'' was translated in nine languages.][
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'' and ''Rong Pencil''.]
Television and film
Ahmed's first television drama was ''Prothom Prohor'' (1983), directed by Nawazish Ali Khan
Nawazish Ali Khan ( bn, নওয়াজীশ আলী খান) is a Bangladesh Television director and producer. His notable productions are ''Bohubrihi'' হুব্রীহি ১৯৮৮-৮৯ ''Ayomoy য়োময় ১৯ ...
. His first drama serial was ''Ei Shob Din Ratri
''Eisob Dinratri'' ('' en, All These Days and Nights'') is a 1985 Bangla family-drama written by Humayun Ahmed and aired on BTV. The drama tells the story of a middle class joint family that lives in the capital city Dhaka.
The drama shows the ...
'' (1985). This was followed by the comedy series ''Bohubrihi
''Bohubrihi'' was one of the most popular drama serials ever aired on Bangladesh Television. The bangla word Bohubrihi means the multiple dimension of anything and here it means the mystery of life. The story was written by famous author, drama ...
'' (1988), the historical drama series ''Ayomoy
''Oyomoi'' য়োময়(''The man who would not die'') was a popular Bangladeshi television serial, written by Humayun Ahmed and directed by Nawazish Ali Khan, originally aired on Bangladesh Television in 1990–91. Blending fact with fic ...
'' (1988), the urban drama series ''Kothao Keu Nei
''Kothao Keu Nei'' (Bengali: কোথাও কেউ নেই, English: ''No one is nowhere'') is a Bangladeshi drama television series written by Humayun Ahmed, which aired on Bangladesh Television from 1993 to 1994. The series is about the s ...
'' (1990), '' Nokkhotrer Raat'' (1996), and ''Aaj Robibar
Aaj Robibar (Bengali: আজ রবিবার; ''Today's Sunday'') is a Bangladeshi television sitcom created by Humayun Ahmed that was originally aired on BTV in 1997—considered one of the finest works from Humayun Ahmeds filming career. I ...
'' (1999). In addition, he made single episode dramas, most notably ''Nimful'' (1997) and Badol Diner Prothom Kodom Ful. Recurring characters in dramas directed and screenplayed by him are Tara Tin Jon
Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 ...
and Alauddiner Cherager Doitto.
Ahmed directed films based on his own stories. His first film, ''Aguner Poroshmoni
''Aguner Poroshmoni'' is a 1994 film based on the novel of the same name written and directed by Humayun Ahmed. The film won ''National Film Award'' in eight categories including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Plot. It was the first movie di ...
'' (1994), based on the Bangladesh Liberation War, won the 19th Bangladesh National Film Awards in a total of eight categories, including the awards for the Best Film and the Best Director.[ Another film '' Shyamal Chhaya'' (2005) was also based on the same war. His last directed film, '']Ghetuputra Kamola
''Ghetuputra Komola'' ( bn, ঘেটুপুত্র কমলা, ''Gheṭuputro Kômola'', Pleasure Boy Komola) is a 2012 Bangladeshi musical film written and directed by Humayun Ahmed and produced by Impress Telefilm. The film is Humayan ...
'' (2012), the story of a teenage boy, was set in the British colonial period.
''Shyamol Chhaya
''Shyamol Chhaya'' ( bn, শ্যামল ছায়া; English: ''The Green Shade'') is a Bangladeshi Bengali-language film. It was released on 16 December 2004. Written and directed by Humayun Ahmed. Stars Humayun Faridi, Challenger, Ria ...
'' and ''Ghetuputra Kamola'' were selected as the Bangladeshi entries for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best International Feature Film (known as Best Foreign Language Film prior to 2020) is one of the Academy Awards handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It is given to a ...
in 2006 and 2012 respectively, but were not nominated.
In 2009, Ahmed appeared as one of two judges for the reality television music competition show Khude Gaanraj.
Actor Affan Mitul
Affan Mitul (born 2 March 1988) is a Bangladeshi film actor. He made his debut in 2014 with national film award winning movie "Nekabborer Mohaproyan", after this movie he appearing in several films. In 2022, he acted in a film as protagonist title ...
debuted with his drama ''Nuruddin Swarna Padak''. It was produced and directed by Humayun Ahmed himself.
Music
Ahmed composed around 40 songs which he used in his films and television dramas. The songs were based on the folk music of the north-eastern part of Bangladesh.[ 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.''] The songs were rendered by Subir Nandi
Subir Nandi (19 November 1953 – 7 May 2019) was a Bangladeshi musician. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer five times for his performance in the films '' Mahanayak'' (1984), ''Shuvoda'' (1986), '' Srabon Megher ...
, Selim Chowdhury, S I Tutul
A B M Shahidul Islam, known as S.I. Tutul, is a Bangladeshi singer and musician who is the lead singer and lead guitarist of the Dhrubotara Band. He also works in the Bangladeshi film industry. He won Bangladesh National Film Awards for Best M ...
, Meher Afroz Shaon
Meher Afroz Shaon (born 12 October 1981) is a Bangladeshi actress, director and playback singer. She won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her performance in the film ''Krishnopokkho'' (2016). She was the wife of ...
, Sabina Yasmin
Sabina Yasmin (born 4 September 1953) is a Bangladeshi singer. She is best known as a playback singer in Bengali cinema. She has won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer a record 14 times. She has recorded more than 1, ...
, Agun
Khan Asifur Rahman Agoon, known as Agun is a Bangladeshi musician. The son of actor Khan Ataur Rahman and singer Nilufar Yasmin, he is notable for songs like "''Baba Bole Chhele Nam Korbe''", "''Amar Shopno Gulo''" and "''O Amar Bondhu Go''".
Ca ...
, Kuddus Boyati and others. In his most films and TV dramas, the music composer was Maksud Jamil Mintu
Samiul Mintu is a Bangladeshi music composer and director. He won the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Director for the song "Ekta Chilo Sonar Konya" in the film ''Srabon Megher Din'' (1999).
Early life and career
Mintoo first played ...
.
Critical response
Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus
Muhammad Yunus (born 28 June 1940) is a Bangladeshi social entrepreneur, banker, economist and civil society leader who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for founding the Grameen Bank and pioneering the concepts of microcredit and microfinance ...
assessed Ahmed's overall impact saying: "Humayun's works are the most profound and most fruitful that literature has experienced since the time of Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore (; bn, রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর; 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengalis, Bengali polymath who worked as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter ...
and Nazrul
, pseudonym = bn, ধূমকেতু, Dhūmketu
, image = Nazrul.jpg
, image_size =
, caption = Nazrul in Chittagong, 1926
, birth_date = 11 ''Joiṣṭhyô'', 1306 '' Bônggabdô ...
."[ Similarly, according to poet ]Al Mahmud
Mir Abdus Shukur Al Mahmud (known as Al Mahmud; 11 July 1936 – 15 February 2019) was a Bangladeshi poet, novelist, and short-story writer. He is considered one of the greatest Bengali poets to have emerged in the 20th century. His work in Be ...
, "one golden age of Bengali literature ended with Tagore and Nazrul and another began" with Ahmed.[ Writer ]Imdadul Haq Milan
Imdadul Haq Milan (born 8 September 1955) is a Bangladeshi novelist and Journalist. He was editor of the daily newspaper ''Kaler Kantho''. He is the recipient of Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1992 and Ekushey Padak in 2019.
Early life and ed ...
considered him to be "the almighty lord of Bengali literature, controlling all their actions and thoughts". ''Dawn
Dawn is the time that marks the beginning of twilight before sunrise. It is recognized by the appearance of indirect sunlight being scattered in Earth's atmosphere, when the centre of the Sun's disc has reached 18° below the observer's horizo ...
'', Pakistan's oldest and most widely read English-language newspaper, referred to him as the cultural legend of Bangladesh. ''Times of India
''The Times of India'', also known by its abbreviation ''TOI'', is an Indian English language, English-language daily newspaper and digital news media owned and managed by The Times Group. It is the List of newspapers in India by circulation, t ...
'' credited Humayun as "the person who single-handedly shifted the capital of Bengali literature from Kolkata to Dhaka". Sunil Gangopadhyay
Sunil Gangopadhyay or Sunil Ganguly (7 September 1934 – 23 October 2012) was an Indian poet, historian and novelist in the Bengali language based in the city of Kolkata. He is a former Sheriff of Calcutta. Gangopadhyay obtained his ma ...
described him as the most popular writer in the Bengali language
Bengali ( ), generally known by its endonym Bangla (, ), is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language native to the Bengal region of South Asia. It is the official, national, and most widely spoken language of Bangladesh and the second m ...
for a century and according to him, Ahmed was even more popular than Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, alternatively spelt as Sarat Chandra Chatterjee ( bn, শরৎচন্দ্র চট্টোপাধ্যায়; 15 September 1876 or ৩১ শে ভাদ্র ১২৮৩ বঙ্গাব্দ ...
. However, during his lifetime author Shahriar Kabir
Shahriyar Kabir (born 20 November 1950) is a Bangladeshi journalist, filmmaker, human rights activist, and author of more than 70 books focusing on human rights, communism, fundamentalism, history, and the Bangladesh war of independence. He wa ...
dismissed him for "always speaking for the establishment."[ Literary critic Azfar Hussain said: "I am not surprised he talks like a pro-establishment writer. I find him ignorant."]
Controversy
On 11 May 2012, two chapters of Ahmed's future novel ''Deyal'' were published in the daily ''Prothom Alo
''The Daily Prothom Alo'' ( bn, প্রথম আলো) is a daily newspaper in Bangladesh, published from Dhaka in the Bengali language. It is the largest circulated newspaper in Bangladesh. According to National Media Survey 2018, conducte ...
''. 3 days later, Attorney General of Bangladesh Mahbubey Alam
Mahbubey Alam (17 February 1949 – 27 September 2020) was a Bangladeshi politician, designated senior counsel, and Attorney General of Bangladesh. He was appointed attorney general on 13 January 2009. He was a senior advocate at the Supreme Cou ...
drew attention of the High Court on a discrepancy about a detail of the historical event of killing Sheikh Russel
Sheikh Russel (October 18, 1964 – August 15, 1975) was the youngest child of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father and first President of Bangladesh. Russel and most of his direct family were killed in their home during the 1975 military ...
in Ahmed's writing.[ The court later issued a ]suo moto
In law, ''sua sponte'' (Latin: "of his, her, its or their own accord") or ''suo motu'' ("on its own motion") describes an act of authority taken without formal prompting from another party. The term is usually applied to actions by a judge taken wi ...
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.
Personal life
Ahmed married Gultekin Khan in 1973. Together they had three daughters: Nova Ahmed, Sheila Ahmed, Bipasha Ahmed and one son, Nuhash Humayun
Nuhash Humayun ( bn, নুহাশ হুমায়ূন) is a Bangladeshi film director and screenwriter. His works include ''Moshari'', ''Pett Kata Shaw'', ''Sincerely Yours, Dhaka''. His theatrical debut ''Sincerely Yours, Dhaka'' had it ...
. Sheila Ahmed went on to become a television and film actress and Nuhash became a writer, film director and producer. 700 Taka, Pizza Bhai were directed by him. He was one of the directors of '' Iti, Tomari Dhaka''. Bipasha also acted in a supporting role in '' Nokkhotrer Raat'' and starred in ''Mayaboti''. In 2003, Ahmed divorced Gultekin. He then married actress Meher Afroz Shaon
Meher Afroz Shaon (born 12 October 1981) is a Bangladeshi actress, director and playback singer. She won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for her performance in the film ''Krishnopokkho'' (2016). She was the wife of ...
in 2004. He had two sons from the second marriage, Nishad Humayun and Ninith Humayun.
Death
Ahmed had open-heart surgery at Mount Elizabeth Hospital
Mount Elizabeth Hospital, known colloquially as Mount E, is a 345-bed private hospital in Singapore operated by Parkway Health. Construction began in 1976 and the hospital officially opened on 8 December 1979. The hospital specialises in cardi ...
in Singapore. A few years later, during a routine checkup, doctors found a cancerous tumor in his colon. On 14 September 2011, he was flown to Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK or MSKCC) is a cancer treatment and research institution in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital. MSKCC is one of 52 National Cancer Institute– ...
in New York City for treatment.[ During his stay there, he wrote the novel, ''Deyal'', based on the life of ]Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ( bn, শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান; 17 March 1920 – 15 August 1975), often shortened as Sheikh Mujib or Mujib and widely known as Bangabandhu (meaning ''Friend of Bengal''), was a Bengalis, Beng ...
and Ziaur Rahman
Lt. General Ziaur Rahman (19 January 1936 – 30 May 1981), was a Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1977 to 1981. He was assassinated on 30 May 1981 in Chittagong in an army coup d' ...
after the period of Bangladesh Liberation War
The Bangladesh Liberation War ( bn, মুক্তিযুদ্ধ, , also known as the Bangladesh War of Independence, or simply the Liberation War in Bangladesh) was a revolution and War, armed conflict sparked by the rise of the Benga ...
. In January 2012, he was appointed as a senior special adviser of the Bangladesh Mission to the United Nations.
On 12 May 2012, Ahmed returned to Bangladesh for two weeks. He died on 19 July 2012 at 11:20 PM BST at Bellevue Hospital
Bellevue Hospital (officially NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue and formerly known as Bellevue Hospital Center) is a hospital in New York City and the oldest public hospital in the United States. One of the largest hospitals in the United States b ...
in New York City. There was some tension in the family over the selection of his burial site, but eventually his estate, Nuhash Palli was selected.
''Nuhash Palli''
In 1987, Ahmed founded an estate, ''Nuhash Palli'', named after his son Nuhash, near Pirujali village, 25 km from Gazipur City
Gazipur ( bn, গাজীপুর) is a city in central Bangladesh. It is located in the Gazipur District. It is a major industrial city north of Dhaka. It is a hub for the textile industry in Bangladesh. Its other name is Joydebpur.
Demogra ...
, in Gazipur District
Gazipur ( bn, গাজীপুর) is a district in central Bangladesh, part of the Dhaka Division. It has an area of 1741.53 km2. It is the home district of Tajuddin Ahmad, the first Prime Minister of Bangladesh and has been a prominent c ...
, which grew to cover 40 bigha
The bigha (also formerly beegah) is a traditional unit of measurement of area of a land, commonly used in India (including Uttarakhand, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, Gujarat ...
(approximately 14 acres). 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.[
]
Legacy
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.
Several cinematographic adaptations of Ahmed's stories are made after his death. ''Anil Bagchir Ekdin
''Anil Bagchir Ekdin'' is a 2015 Bangladeshi film directed by Morshedul Islam. The film was based on Humayun Ahmed's novel of the same name. It won six awards, including the awards for Best Film and Best Director (both jointly with the film '' Bap ...
'' (2015), directed by Morshedul Islam
Morshedul Islam (born 1 December 1958) is a Bangladeshi film director. His notable films include ''Agami'' (1984), ''Chaka'' (1993), ''Dipu Number Two'' (1996), ''Dukhai'' (1997), ''Khelaghor'' (2006), ''Durotto'' (2006) and ''Amar Bondhu Rashed' ...
, won six Bangladesh National Film Awards
The National Film Awards ( bn, জাতীয় চলচ্চিত্র পুরস্কার) is an annual awards ceremony held annually in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is considered to be the most prominent film award ceremony in Banglades ...
. ''Krishnopokkho
Humayun Ahmed (; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor. His breakthrough was his debut novel ''Nondito Noroke'' published in 1972. He wrote over 200 ...
'' (2016) was directed by Meher Afroz Shaon. In October 2016, she announced the production of her next film based on ''Nokkhotrer Raat''. '' Debi'' (2018) is produced by a grant from the Government of Bangladesh
The Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh ( bn, গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার — ) is the central executive government of Bangladesh. The government was constituted by the Con ...
.
Filmography
Bibliography
; In Bengali
; In English
* ''1971: A Novel''
* ''In Blissful Hell
''Nondito Noroke'' ( bn, নন্দিত নরকে, lit=Nondito Noroke, links=no "In Blissful Hell") is a 1972 novel by Bangladeshi author Humayun Ahmed. Ahmed wrote this debut novel in 1970 while he was an undergraduate student at the Univer ...
''
* '' Flowers of Flame''
* ''Gouripur Junction''
Awards
* Lekhak Shibir Prize (1973)
* Bangla Academy Literary Award
The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...
(1981)
* Shishu Academy Award
* Zainul Abedin Gold Medal
* Michael Madhusudan Medal (1987)
* Bachsas Award for Best Story (1988)
* Humayun Qadir Memorial Prize (1990)
* Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Story (1994)
* (1994)
* (1994)
* Ekushey Padak
Ekushey Padak ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...
(1994)
* Sheltech Award (2007)
* (2007)
* Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Director
National Film Award for Best Director ( bn, জাতীয় চলচ্চিত্র পুরস্কার) is the highest award for film directors in Bangladesh, presented annually at Bangladesh National Film Awards ceremony by the Min ...
(2012)
* Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Screenplay (2012)
* Meril-Prothom Alo Award for best director (2013)
*
* Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Dialogue (2015)
References
Footnotes
Citations
Further reading
*
*
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahmed, Humayun
Family of Humayun Ahmed
1948 births
2012 deaths
People from Netrokona District
People from Mymensingh District
Dhaka College alumni
University of Dhaka alumni
University of Dhaka faculty
North Dakota State University alumni
20th-century Bangladeshi male writers
Bangladeshi film directors
Bangladeshi male novelists
Bangladeshi science fiction writers
Bangladeshi short story writers
Bengali detective fiction writers
Bengali-language science fiction writers
Bengali-language writers
International Writing Program alumni
Recipients of Bangla Academy Award
Best Director National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners
Recipients of the Ekushey Padak
Deaths from colorectal cancer
Best Screenplay National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners
Best Dialogue National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners
Best Story National Film Award (Bangladesh) winners
20th-century Bengalis