| Born | 13 November 1948 Kutubpur, Mymensingh, Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Writer, Film-maker |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Ethnicity | Bengali |
| Citizenship | Bangladesh |
| Education | Ph. D. in polymer chemistry |
| Alma mater | North Dakota State University |
| Genres | novel, short story, essay, autobiography, column |
| Subjects | magic realism, social life, nature's mystery, wish-fulfillment |
| Notable work(s) | Jostnya O Jononeer Golpo (tr. The story of Mother and moonlit night) |
| Notable award(s) | Bangla Academy Award, Ekushey Padak |
| Spouse(s) | Shaon Ahmed (2003 - present) Gultekin (1973-2003) |
| Children | Nova, Sheela, Bipasha, Nuhash, Nishad, Ninit |
| Relative(s) | Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Ahsan Habib (cartoonist) |
Immediately following the publication of his debut novel, Ahmed emerged as one of the most prominent novelist and story-writer of Bengali literature since Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Humayun Ahmed's books have been bestsellers. He has also achieved success as a screenwriter for television since the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, he entered the movie-world and proved to be a successful filmmaker in spite of clear departure from the trend of traditional Bangladeshi movies.
Humayun Ahmed often shows a fascination for creating stories around supernatural events; his style is characterized as magic realism.
Family and background
Humayun Ahmed was born to Foyzur Rahman (a high-ranked police officer and writer, who gained martyrdom in the liberation war of Bangladesh) and Ayesha Foyez on 13 November 1948 in Kutubpur of Mymensingh district in then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. Humayun Ahmed's younger brother Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, a university professor, is also a famous writer, newspaper columnist who attained fame for writing science fictions and youngster novels. Another brother, Ahsan Habib (cartoonist), is the editor of the only cartoon magazine of Bangladesh, Unmad.
Humayun Ahmed was married to Gultekin, granddaughter of Principal Ibrahim Khan, in 1973. They divorced in 2003. Later Ahmed married Meher Afroz Shaon.
Education and teaching career
Humayun Ahmed attended the Chittagong Collegiate School, Comilla Zilla School (some time) and Bogra Zilla School. He passed intermediate from the Dhaka College. After graduating from the University of Dhaka, Ahmed joined the Department of Chemistry in the same university as a lecturer. He obtained his PhD in polymer chemistry from North Dakota State University under the guidance of Professor Joseph Edward Glass. Ahmed retired from the University of Dhaka for the sake of writing and film-making.
Literature
Humayun Ahmed had a meteoric rise in Bangla literature. His first novel, Nondito Noroke was written while he was still a student of the University of Dhaka, gained immediate popularity and critical acclaim. Equally successful was his second novel, Shankhanil Karagar (tr: "The Conch-blue Prison"), later made into a successful film by Nasiruddin Yusuf. Humayun Ahmed went on to become one of the most prolific writers in Bengali literature, having published around one hundred and fifty novels to date.
Along with his more traditional novels and short stories, Ahmed is often credited with creating or maturing many literary genres in Bangladesh. The rise of Bengali science fiction can largely be attributed to Humayun Ahmed and his younger brother Iqbal.
His televised drama Bohubrihi was one of the most successful productions of the national TV of the country called Bangladesh Television. He later developed Bohubrihi into a novel.
Though set in the realities of middle class life, Ahmed's works display a particular penchant for the mysterious and unexplained. He himself and his literature are often referred to as "moon-struck," and references to the full moon in his prose are numerous. In almost every one of Ahmed's novels, there is at least one character who possesses an extraordinary milk of kindness—a characteristic of Ahmed’s writing. Also, he is prone to create funny characters through which he reveals social realities and passes on his message.
Books for Sheba Prokashoni
Humayun Ahmed produced three books which were published by Sheba Prokashoni. A teacher of Dhaka University, he was in financial hardship when he heard that Qazi Anwar Hussain pays immediately for works of translation to be published from Sheba. He was given a book titled Man on Fire which he translated in seven days and Qazi Anwar Hussain gave him 300 Taka as soon as he appeared with the manuscript. It was published under the title "Omanush". He translated two more books for Sheba, Samrat and The Exorcist.
Humayun Ahmed is not a professional song writer, but he has written a number songs mainly for the films and plays he has produced. Some of his songs are "Ami aaj bhejabo coukh somudrer joley," "Chadni poshor ratey," and "Amaaar achey jol."
Liberation War-related writings
A recurring theme in Ahmed's literature is the Bangladesh Liberation War, which affected him deeply since during this war his father was killed by the Pakistan Army and he, along with his mother and siblings, had to hide to survive. Inspired by the war are a play called 1971, and several novels such as Aguner Parashmoni ("The Touchstone of Fire"), Shyamal Chhaya ("Green Shadows"), and Jochhna O Jananir Galpo ("The Tale of Moonlight and the Mother"), Anil Bagchir ek din, Showrav
Other references abound: the comic novel Bahubrihi ends with a character training parrots to say "tui rajakar, "you are a traitor," with the goal of sending these parrots to Bangladeshi collaborators during the war.
Dr. Humayun Ahmed wrote a book on quantum chemistry named "কোয়ান্টাম রসায়ন" in Bengali. It was published from the Kakoli Prakashoni.
Television and film
His first television drama was Ei Shob Din Ratri ("Tale of our daily life"), and was followed by the comedy series Bohubrihi, the historical drama series Ayomoy, and the urban drama series Kothao Keu Nei ("Nobody Anywhere"). The last one featured an idealistic gang leader named Baker Bhai, who is wrongly convicted and executed. Baker Bhai became such a popular character that before the last episode was aired, people across the country brought out processions protesting his death sentence; public prayers and death anniversaries have been observed for this fictional character by Humayun-fans. Nakshatrer Raat ("The night of stars") was a long serialized televised drama that explored many facets of modern human life and relationship.
Humayun Ahmed explored the film industry both as an author and director. He directs films based on his own stories. His first film, "Aguner Parashmoni", based on the Bangladesh Liberation War, received critical acclaim and won the National Film Award in eight categories, including Best Picture and Best Director. The theme of the Liberation War often comes across in his stories, often drawing upon Ahmed's in-depth memories of that war.
Ahmed's film Shyamal Chhaya was submitted by Bangladesh for Oscar nomination for best foreign language film. It was an entertaining movie with a storyline around the war of liberation war of 1971. The movie portrayed a realistic picture of the liberation war without malice and prejudice.
Until recently Bengali fiction has largely been dominated by the works and style of Bengali writers from the West Bengal. Humayun Ahmed has distinguished himself with a unique simple literary diction that quickly became extremely popular. His prose style is lucid and he resorts to dialogues rather than narration by an all-knowing story-teller. As a result his writining is compact and can be easily understood by a large audience. However, he depends heavily on a few stereotypical characters which behave in a predictable way, but are, nevertheless, very popular, because of the romanticism they carry. He has dealt with rural as well as urban life with equal intensity of observation. Frequently, he captures contemporary issues in his writings from a different angle. He is an optimist who is prone to focus on the positive aspects of humanbeings. His portrayal of a hooligan or a prostitute is usually non-judgmental. His human touch to stories hugely appeals to emotional Bengali psychology. Also, his storylines often blend reality with supernatural episodes. This blend is in some ways similar to magic realism. In the contemporary literary world, perhaps none exists today who writes as spontaneously as Humayun Ahmed.
Awards
- Bangla Academy Award 1981
- Shishu Academy Award
- Ekushe Podok 1994
- National Film Award (Best Story 1993, Best Film 1994, Best Dialogue 1994)
- Lekhak Shibir Prize (1973)
- Michael Madhusudan Medal (1987)
- Bacsas Prize (1988)
- Humayun Qadir Memorial Prize (1990)
- Jainul Abedin Gold Medal
- ShellTec Award (2007)
Filmography
- Aguner Parashmony
- Aamar Achey Jol
- Chondro Kotha
- Dui Duari
- Durotto(writer of the film & the film is based on his book putul)
- Daruchini Dip(writer of the fim)
- Noy Nombor Bipod Shongket
- Nondito Noroke( the film is based on his book)
- Priyotomesu( the film is based on his book)
- Shyamol Chaya
- Srabon Megher Din
- Shonkho Nil Karagare' (the film is based on his book)
- Ghetu putro Komola(The movie has not finished yet)
Television drama
- Aj Robibar / Serial
- Aj Jorir Biye
- Ayomoy / Serial
- Ai Baishakhe
- Aziz Shaheber Paap
- Abaro Tin Jon
- Amra Tin Jon
- Anushondhan
- Agun Majid
- Akti Oloukik Vromon Kahini
- Akdin Hothat
- Ai Borshai
- Bohubrihi / Serial
- Bank Draft
- Brikkhomanob
- Bilati Jamai
- Badol Diner Prothom Kodom Phool
- Badla Diner Gaan
- Bhoot Bilash
- Brihonnola
- Bonoo
- Bon Kumari
- Bua Bilash
- Bon Batashi
- Charan Rekha
- Chele Dekha
- Chipa Vhoot
- Chandra Karigor / Serial
- Chader Aloi Koyjon Jubok
- Choitro Diner Gaan
- Cherager Daitto
- Chor
- Chondro Grohon
- Dui Dokone Char
- Ditio Jonmo
- Esho
- Eki Kando
- Eka Eka
- Ei Shob Din Ratri / Serial
- Enayet Alir Chagol
- Goni Shaheber Shesh Kichu Din
- Guneen
- Griho Shukh Private Limited
- Gondho
- Hablonger Bazaray
- Habiber Shongshar
- Hamid Miar Ijjot
- Himu
- Jahir Karigor
- Jatra
- Joota Baba
- Joyturi
- Josnar Fool
- Jamunar Jol Dekhte Kalo
- Janok
- Jibon Japon
- Kala Koitor / Serial
- Khoab Nagor
- Konay Dekha
- Kuhok
- Kobi / Serial
- Khela
- Kothao Keu Nei / Serial
- Lilaboti
- Mayaboti
- Mofiz Miar Choritro Fuler Moto Pobitro
- Megh Boleche Jabo Jabo / Serial
- Missed Call
- Montri Mohodoyer Agomon
- Nattokar Hamid Shaheber Akdin
- Natto Mongoler Kotha
- Nogoray Daitto
- Neem Phool
- Nishad
- Nil Botam
- Nil Churi
- Nil Toalay
- Nitu Tomake Valobashi / 2 Episodes
- Noya Riksha
- Nuruddin Shornopodok
- Nokkhotrer Raat / Serial
- Ochin Ragini / 3 Episodes
- Ochin Brikkho
- Odekha Bhoobon
- Oporanho
- Ontorar Baba
- Otoppor Shuvo Bibaho
- Paap
- Pishach Mokbul
- Package Shangbad
- Pathor
- Poddo
- Pokhkhi Raj
- Project Himalaya
- Rohoshsho
- Rumali
- Rupali Ratri / 3 Episodes
- Rubiks Cube
- Shedin Chaitro Mash / Serial
- Shourov
- Shopno Shongini
- Shomporko
- Showkot Shaheber Gari Kena
- Shobai Geche Bonay
- Schuri
- Shamudro Bilash Private Limited
- Shuvro
- Tara Tin Jon
- Tara Tin Jon Jhamelai Achi
- Tara Tin Jon Tea Master
- Tara Tin Jon Fuchka Bilash
- Tara Tin Jon He Prithibi Bidai
- Tin Prohor / 3 Episodes
- Trishna
- Tritio Noyon
- Uray Jai Bok Pokhkhi / Serial
- Vejabo Chokh Aj Shomudrer Jolay / 2 Episodes
- Wang Pi
- Zinda Kobor
- 24 Carat Man
Books in English translation
- 1971
- Gouripur Junction (2008)
- In Blissfull Hell (Somoy Prokashon, January, 2003)
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