12/18/2021
BIOGRAPHY OF HUMAYUN AHMED
Humayun Ahmed:
Humayun Ahmed was a renowned author, dramatist, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He was the most famous writer in Bangladesh. No other writer of the Bengal History was able to reach the popularity that Humayun Ahmed achieved through his creative work in the literary and media world.
According to the Times of India, the largest circulation among all English-language newspapers in the world, "Humayun was a custodian of the Bangladeshi literary culture whose contribution single-handedly shifted the capital of Bengali literature from Kolkata to Dhaka without any war or revolution".
With the publishing of his first book, Nondito Noroke in 1972, Humayun Ahmed came into the limelight as a promising young writer. He proved later on that he was not there to be lost among others. His next book, Shonkhonil Karagar, was another huge success with the readers. Most of his earlier books were family/social drama. But he proved his talent later on by writing more than a handful of science fictions and horrors/super natural books as well.
He even created a few characters that are known to almost everybody, such as Himu (who always wears a yellow punjabi and no sandals) and Misir Ali (the extremely logical person, there's nothing in his world that cannot be explained scientifically). He wrote over 300 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh. His magical words of writing made people mesmerized while reading his books.
Early Life and Education:
Humayun Ahmed was born on November 13, 1948 in Mohongonj, Netrokona to Faizur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez. He was the eldest of five children. Humayun’s father, a police officer and writer, was killed in 1971 by the Pakistani military during the liberation war of Bangladesh.
Due to the nature of his father’s job, he went to schools in different places, such as Chittagong, Comilla, Sylhet, Dinajpur and Bogra. After his father’s tragic death, his family fell into a big financial crisis. During those crisis days, his mother Ayesha Foyez kept the family alive through her hard labor. Consequently, all of her sons became highly educated and famous person.
Humayun Ahmed passed both BSc (Honours) and MSc with First Class from Dhaka University. Subsequently, he joined Dhaka University as a Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry. Later he went to North Dakota State University in the United States to study for his Ph.D. After securing a Ph.D in Polymer Chemistry, he returned to Bangladesh and resumed teaching at the Dhaka University until he left teaching in the mid 1990s to devote all his time to writing, drama and film production.
Career:
Humayun Ahmed’s debut novel Nondito Noroke was published in 1972 while he was still a university student. 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. His books were top sellers for nearly four decades.
He wrote several novels based on the Bangladesh Liberation War, such as Aaguner Poroshmoni, Paap, 1971, Srabon Megher Din, and Jyotsna O Jononir Golpo. His romantic novels included, Badol Diner Prothom Kodom Phool, Noboni, Aj Dupure Tomar Nimontran, and Tumi Amai Dekechhile Chhutir Nimontraney, etc.
His most talked about television serial was Kothao Keu Nei. This dramatic serial’s main character was a gang leader who was supposed to be executed in last episode. His crazy fans became so obsessed with this character that they sent huge letters to Humayun Ahmed begging him not to hang that character. Fans also brought out processions to save the character. The same incident happened in another serial Aishob Dinratri, when the little girl Tuni died at the end of the serial. These incidents made history in Bangladesh’s TV drama and media world.
Humayun Ahmed wrote many autobiographies, such as Hotel Graver Inn, Amar Chelebela, Rong Pencil , Fountain Pen, Ball Pen, Kath Pencil, New York er akashe jokjhoke rod, etc. He also wrote children’s book like Bottle Vuut, Putul, Nuhash Abong Aladiner Aascharjo Cherag, etc.
His first television drama was Prothom Prohor (1983). His historical drama serial was Ei Shob Din Ratri (1985), Bohubrihi (1988), Ayomoy (1988), Kothao Keu Nei (1990), Nokkhotrer Raat (1996), and Aaj Robibar (1999). In addition, he made single episode dramas, most notably Nimful, Hablonger Bazare, Ai borshay, Bilati jamai, etc. During every Bengali festival, people were eagerly waiting to watch his TV drama and movies.
Humayun Ahmed also wrote many popular songs for some of his own films and dramas including Aami Aaj Bhejabo Chokh Somudrer Joley, Chadni Poshor Ratey, Jodi Mon Kade, Amar Achey Jol, etc.
In the early 1990s, Humayun Ahmed emerged as a filmmaker. He went on to make a total of eight films each based on his own novels.
Awards:
Humayun Ahmed received many literary awards including Bangla Academy award (1981) and Ekushey Podok (1994) for his contribution to Bengali literature. He received six Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films Daruchini Deep, Aaguner Poroshmoni and Ghetuputra Komola.
Humayun’s several books were translated in various languages around the world.
NHK Television of Japan had aired a 15 minute documentary on him titled WHO IS WHO IN ASIA.
Marriage and Family Life:
Humayun Ahmed married Gultekin Khan (grand-daughter of Principal Ibrahim Kha) in 1973. From this marriage, he has three daughters and one son. In 2003, Humayun Ahmed divorced his first wife. He then married actress, singer, director and architect Meher Afroz Shaon in 2005. They have two sons Nishad and Ninit.
Humayun Ahmed always loved to be with his family either his first or second wife. He mentioned his second marriage as the second innings of his life. He loved being at home and traveling around the world with his wife, children and friends. He led a very simple life during his lifetime.
Death:
On September 2011, Humayun Ahmed came to New York for cancer treatment at Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital. After an eleven-month struggle against colorectal cancer, he breathed his last on 19 July 2012 at Belleview Hospital at New York in the United States.
Humayun Ahmed’s Dreamland Nuhash Polli:
Humayun Ahmed, a magician of words, who loved to spent most of his time at his own created Nuhash Polli. It was his dream land. Surrounded by scenic natural beuty, Nuhash Polli is enriched with tall trees, fruit and flower gardens , more than 300 varieties medicinal plants and children’s playing zone, Ghost Cottage, etc.
He used to love showing around his natural scenic village to friends and guests. He made almost all of his dramas and films at Nuhash Polli.
Now Nuhash Polli is open to the public so that they may see the beautiful natural landscape as well as pray for Humayun Ahmed’s departed soul at his graveyard amidst wonderful scenic view.
Last Words:
Humayun Ahmed will remain alive through his readers and fans throughout the world. He is the only writer in Bangladesh who taught people how to read, how to love rainfall and moonlit nights.
Humayun Ahmed is a unforgettable and memorable name that will never be erased in Bangladesh’s Literary and Cultural History. He will live forever in his work among the people who loved him.
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Munia Mahmud AKA Jamila Khandakar
President, Humayun Ahmed Memorial Foundation
New York, USA
