Humayun Ahmed

Humayun Ahmed
Ahmed in 2010
Ahmed in 2010
Native name
হুমায়ূন আহমেদ
Born(1948-11-13)13 November 1948[1]
Netrokona, East Bengal, Pakistan
Died19 July 2012(2012-07-19) (aged 63)
New York City, United States
Resting placePirujali, Dhaka, Bangladesh[2]
OccupationWriter, film director, academic, dramatist
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma materNorth Dakota State University (PhD)
Years active1972–2012
Notable awards
Spouse
  • Gultekin Khan
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1976; div. 2004)​
  • ​
    (m. 2004)​
    [3]
Children7, including Shila and Nuhash
Relatives
Signature

Humayun Ahmed (Bengali: হুমায়ূন আহমেদ [ɦumajuːn aɦmed]; 13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012)[4][5] was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and academic.[6] His breakthrough was his debut novel Nondito 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 newspaper Dawn referred to him as the cultural legend of Bangladesh.[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 and Ghetuputra Komola. He was one of the most influential dramatist in Bangladesh during the 1990s, when he wrote the most popular soap operas. His works, such as Kothao Keu Nei, Aaj Robibar, and Bohubrihi, are still considered masterpieces by fans and critics.[12] Many Bangladeshi filmmakers are still inspired by his works.[13] His films Shyamol Chhaya and Ghetuputra Komola were submitted for the 78th Academy Awards and 85th Academy Awards respectively in the Best Foreign Language Film category.[14][15] Later he set up his own production company named Nuhash Chalachitra.

Widely regarded as the greatest novelist in Bangladesh's history, he is considered one of the cornerstones in modern Bengali literature,[16] his works are characterized by non-violence, realistic storylines, family drama, and humor styles. 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 from Kolkata to Dhaka without any war or revolution." and entitled him "The Shakespeare of Bangladesh".[17] Sunil Gangopadhyay described him as the most popular writer in the Bengali language for a century, and according to him (Sunil), Humayun Ahmed was even more popular than Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[18] Humayun Ahmed's books have been the top sellers at the Ekushey Book Fair during every year of the 1990s and 2000s.[19] He won the National Film Awards a record seven times in directing, screenplay and story for the films Ghetuputra Komola, Aguner Poroshmoni, Shonkhonil Karagar, Daruchini Dwip and Anil Bagchir Ekdin. He also won the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 1981 and the Ekushey Padak in 1994 for his contribution to the Bengali literature.

  1. ^ "Humayun Ahmed's 71st birth anniversary : Refined musical taste of Humayun Ahmed". Dhaka Tribune. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference buried was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ চার বছর হুমায়ুন আহমেদ একা একা ঈদ করেছেন । ঈদের দিন খাবার দেবার মত লোক ছিলোনা ।. Radio Amber (in Bengali). 13 November 2019. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2020 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "The storytelling magician". The Daily Star. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Humayun Ahmed dies". bdnews24.com. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  6. ^ "Humayun Ahmed turns 63- Absence makes the heart grow fonder". priyo.com. 13 November 2011. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  7. ^ Mahmudul Hasan Hemal (4 September 2012). "Book review: Nondito Noroke, Masterpiece of a master storyteller". Daily Sun. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2015.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference na27Jul2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference toi was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "Humayun Ahmed and the impact of his works on Bengalis". The Business Standard. 13 November 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  11. ^ AFP (20 July 2012). "Bangladesh mourns death of cultural legend Humayun Ahmed". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Humayun Ahmed: The Creator of Versatile Fictional Characters". unb.com.bd. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  13. ^ Syeda, Maisha (9 December 2021). "National award winner Kajol Ibrahim launches her memoir". The Daily Star. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Shyamol Chhaya going to the Oscars". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 25 December 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  15. ^ "Budget implementation hinges on political stability, says FBCCI". The Daily Star. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  16. ^ "Most popular film directors in Bangladesh". Business Habit. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Tears for Humayun Ahmed: The Shakespeare of Bangladesh". The Times of India. 16 August 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  18. ^ "In remembrance of Humayun Ahmed: 8th death anniversary observed". Dhaka Courier. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  19. ^ Shamim Ahsan (21 February 2004). "A Grand Convergence of Minds". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 23 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.