Entertainment Desk

The 76th birth anniversary of legendary writer, playwright and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed is being observed on Wednesday.

Often regarded as one of the best writers in Bengali literature after Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, Humayun Ahmed is credited with revitalising Bengali literature and is best known for his iconic fictional characterisations such as ‘Himu’, ‘Misir Ali’, ‘Baker Bhai’ and others, as well as for his ‘magic-realism’ based storytelling.

Making the breakthrough in the Bengali litmosphere with his debut novel Nondito Noroke (1972), Humayun wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh and are still popular among his readers.

Unanimously regarded as the bestseller author at the Ekushey Book Fairs during the 1990s and 2000s, the majestic litterateur received the Ekushey Padak, Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award and more, for his outstanding contributions to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere.

As a successful content-maker in television, Ahmed debuted with his drama 'Prothom Prohor' (1983) for Bangladesh Television (BTV). His successful journey in television continued with popular drama serials 'Ei Shob Din Ratri', 'Bohubrihi', 'Ayomoy', 'Nokkhotrer Raat', 'Aaj Robibar' and most notably, 'Kothao Keu Nei' for the character of ‘Baker Bhai’ played by eminent actor Asaduzzaman Noor.

Humayun Ahmed also explored success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and made eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his own novels. Two of his films, 'Shyamol Chhaya' (2004) and 'Ghetuputra Komola' (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective release years.

He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films Shonkhonil Karagar' (as screenwriter), 'Aguner Poroshmoni', 'Daruchini Dwip' and 'Ghetuputra Komola'.

Commemorating his life and legacy, family members, different organisations, and his admirers are set to celebrate Humayun Ahmed’s birth anniversary today.

Humayun Ahmed’s widow and cultural personality Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their sons Nishad Humayun and Ninith Humayun, traditionally begin the day every year with admirers of the legendary litterateur at their house ‘Dakhin Hawa’ in the capital through a cake-cutting ceremony at 12 am.

Himu Paribahan, a noted fan group of the eminent writer, has been observing his birth anniversary for many years. Today, it will be travelling to Nuhash Polli in Gazipur to commemorate the celebrated litterateurs’ birth anniversary.

Meanwhile, a day-long ‘Himu Utsab’ will be organised by the youth-based organization Himu Pathak Adda in Netrakona, the author's home district.

Among other events, the theatre troupe Bahubachan will stage its play ‘Ami Ebong Amra’, based on the famous book of Humayun’s ‘Misir Ali’ series, at the National Theatre Hall auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) at 7 pm.

Marking the occasion of the coveted writer’s 76th birth anniversary, a special seminar will be organised today at 4 pm in the Academy's Poet Shamsur Rahman seminar room.

Dr Sarker Amin, Bangla Academy Director of Culture, Newspaper and Auditorium Department will deliver the welcome speech, while fiction writer Salah Uddin Shuvro will present the keynote essay. Professor Ahmed Mawla and Professor Sumon Rahman will participate in the discussion, which will be chaired by Professor Mohammad Azam, Director General of Bangla Academy.

Apart from these events, tributes will be paid by various organisations and groups at Humayun Ahmed's tomb this morning at Nuhash Polli, and prayer sessions will be organized in the afternoon.