Humayun Ahmed

Humayun Ahmed

Humayun Ahmed (13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi writer, dramatist, screenwriter, and filmmaker. His breakthrough was his debut novel Nondito Noroke published in 1972.He wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh. Ahmed's writing style is characterized as magical realism. 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 award for his contribution to Bengali literature.

Early life and background:

Ahmed was born in Kutubpur, Mymensingh to Foyzur Rahman Ahmed (1921–1971) and Ayesha Foyez  (1930–2014). Foyzur served as a sub-divisional police officer in Pirojpur District and was killed in 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. In 2011, politician Delwar Hossain Sayeedi 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, is a writer and academician. Another brother, Ahsan Habib, became a cartoonist. He had three sisters – Sufia Haider, Momtaz Shahid and Rukhsana Ahmed.
During his childhood, Ahmed lived in Sylhet, Comilla, Chittagong, Bogra, Dinajpur and Panchagarh where his father was on official assignment.

Education and early career:

Ahmed studied in Chittagong Collegiate School.He eventually passed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination from Bogra Zilla School in 1967 and was listed as second in merit by the Rajshahi Education Board. He passed his Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examination from Dhaka College in 1969.
Ahmed then attended the University of Dhaka and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and later with a Master of Science degree. He then worked as a lecturer at the Bangladesh Agricultural University for six months following which he joined Dhaka University to teach Chemistry. Soon after, he went to the United States to earn his Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry from North Dakota State University.

Works:

Novels:

Ahmed’s debut novel Nondito Noroke (In Blissful Hell) 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.
Ahmed wrote fictional series featuring recurring characters such as Himu (15 novels), Misir Ali (10 novels) and less frequently, Shubhro. He wrote several novels based on the Bangladesh Liberation War – Aguner 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 Nimontrane.
Ahmed wrote autobiographies - Hotel Graver Inn, Amar Chelebela, Rong Pencil and Fountain Pen.

Television and film:

Ahmed's first television drama was Prothom Prohor (1983), directed by Nawazesh Ali Khan.His first drama serial was Ei Shob Din Ratri (1985). This was followed by the comedy series Bohubrihi (1988), the historical drama series Ayomoy (1988), the urban drama series Kothao Keu Nei (1990), Nokkhotrer Raat (1996), and Aaj Robibar (1999). In addition, he made single episode dramas, most notably Nimful.
Ahmed directed films based on his own stories. His first film, Aguner Poroshmoni, based on the Bangladesh Liberation War, won the National Film Award in a total of eight categories, including the award for Best Picture and Best Director.Another film Shyamal Chhaya was also based on the same war. His last directed film, Ghetuputra Kamola, the story of a teenage boy, was set in the colonial period.
Shyamol Chhaya and Ghetuputra Kamola were selected as the Bangladeshi entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006 and 2012 respectively, but were not nominated.
In 2009, Ahmed served as a judge on Channel i's reality talent show Khudey Gaanraaj.

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 "'Pubali Batashey", "Ekta Chhilo Shonar Konya", "O Amar Ural Ponkhi Rey", "Jodi Mon Kadey", "Ke Porailo Amar Chokh-e Kolonko Kajol", "Ami Aaj Bhejabo Chokh Somudrer Joley", "Cholona Brishtitey Bhiji", "Channi Poshor Raite Jeno Amar Moron Hoy", "Hablonger Bajarey Giya" and "Konya Nachilo Rey". The songs were rendered by Subir Nandi, S I Tutul, Meher Afroz Shaon and others.