The nation observed the 11th death anniversary of the iconic writer, filmmaker Humayun Ahmed yesterday.
Widely considered one of the cornerstones of modern Bangla literature, the legendary writer passed away on July 19, 2012, due to colorectal cancer at the age of 63 at Bellevue Hospital, New York, in the United States.
His family and several organisations observed the day with different programmes and events.
Humayun Ahmed's widow and actress-media personality Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their two sons Ninit and Nishad, placed wreaths at his grave in Nuhash Palli, Gazipur in the morning.
Special prayers and Quran Khatam was organized in morning, and a prayer ceremony was also held to seek eternal peace of his soul. Orphans were fed at noon marking the occasion, according to both Shaon and the authority of Nuhash Palli.
Himu Paribahan, a renowned fan unit of the prolific writer, observed the special day since 2013. Members of the platform placed wreaths at the writer's grave in the morning.
Several other organisations are also commemorating the day with various events, while fans and admirers shared emotional tributes to the legend on their social media accounts.
Television channels and radio stations are also airing various programmes, highlighting the life and glorious career of the wordsmith.
Humayun Ahmed was born in Kutubpur village at Mohanganj, Netrakona to Foyzur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez on November 13, 1948.
In his academic life, he passed the School Certificate (1965) from Bogra Zilla School, Intermediate from Dhaka College and earned his BSc and MSc in Chemistry from Dhaka University with First Class. He joined Dhaka University as a lecturer of Chemistry and later went to North Dakota State University in the United States to pursue his PhD in Polymer Chemistry.
‘Nondito Noroke’ (1972) was Humayun Ahmed’s debut novel, which gave Humayun the breakthrough and propelled his career as a writer. The Ekushey Padak winner writer wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh to date.
Humayun Ahmed won Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award, and more for his outstanding contributions in his illustrious career to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere.
He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films ‘Shonkhonil Karagar’ (as screenwriter), ‘Aguner Poroshmoni’, ‘Daruchini Dwip’ and ‘Ghetuputra Komola’.
The literature is survived by two sons Ninit and Nishad with his second wife Meher Afroze Shaon; and only son Nuhash Humayun, who is currently working in the media industry as a content creator and director, and three daughters Nova, Shila, Bipasha with his first wife Gultekin Ahmed.
