The 74th birth anniversary of legendary writer, lyricist, academician, playwright and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed was observed on Sunday. Commemorating his life and legacy, family members and different organisations along with his admirers celebrated the special day.
On the occasion, writer Anwara Syed Haq and writer Mouri Morium were honoured with the 'EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award'. Both the writers received crests, sash, certificates, and an honorarium along with the award.
The award ceremony took place at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad auditorium of the Bangla Academy on November 13.
The prize was given to Anwara Syed Haq for her contribution to Bangla literature. As part of the award, she won Tk 5 lakh. Mouri Morium earned the award in the Young Litterateur Category, which is given to writers under the age of 40, for her novel 'Phanus'. As part of the award, she got Tk 1 lakh.
Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzak was present as the chief guest while K M Khalid the State Minister for Cultural Affairs attended the event as the special guest.
“Humayun Ahmed has enchanted readers of all classes with his works. Through his writings, he attracted both young and old people, regardless of gender. Personally, I had a great interest in his books. If I started reading a book by Humayun Ahmed, I would not do anything else until I finished it. I even read the book while I was eating on my dining table," said K M Khalid at the event.
Anyadin editor Mazharul Islam gave the welcome speech, while EXIM Bank's additional managing director Shah Md Abdul Bari and Humayun Ahmed’s widow Meher Afroz Shaon spoke at the event.
The event began with songs performed by Rezwana Choudhury Bannya.
The EXIM Bank-Anyadin Humayun Ahmed Literary Award, introduced in 2015 as a joint initiative of Anyadin and EXIM Bank, is awarded to two writers each year on the occasion of Humayun Ahmed's birth anniversary.
Among other events, Channel i and Oikko.com.bd organised a daylong Humayun Fair at the capital’s Channel i premises in Tejgaon. The entire day was celebrated by various cultural programmes and discussion events.
Anisul Haque said at the Humayun Fair, “Humayun Ahmed Humayun Ahmed created readers, and viewers and also almost single-handedly created the publishing industry in Bangladesh.”
Also, Theatre troupe Bahubachan premiered its play ‘Ami Ebong Amra’, based on the famous book of Humayun’s ‘Misir Ali’ series, was staged at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Meanwhile, Himu Paribahan, a noted fan group of the eminent writer, has been observing his birth anniversary for many years. It organised a special procession where the members walked barefoot on the Dhaka University campus and placed floral wreaths on Humayun’s grave in Nuhash Polli, Gazipur, in the morning.
Often regarded as one of the best writers in Bengali literature Humayun Ahmed is credited with revitalizing 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 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.
He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films Shonkhonil Karagar' (as scriptwriter), 'Aguner Poroshmoni', 'Daruchini Dwip' and 'Ghetuputra Komola'.
