Himu
Himu or Himalay (Bengali: হিমু or হিমালয়) is a popular fictional character created by the Bangladeshi writer Humayun Ahmed who appears in a disjunct series of novels.[1] The character was first appeared in the novel titled Mayurakkhi published in 1990.[2]
Himu, Himalay | |
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Himu character | |
![]() Himu, as depicted on the cover of the book Himu (1993) | |
First appearance | Mayurakkhi |
Last appearance | Himu ebong Harvard Ph.D. Boltu bhai |
Created by | Humayun Ahmed |
In-universe information | |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | Unemployed, vagabond |
Spouse | Unmarried |
Significant other | Rupa |
Relatives |
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Nationality | Bangladeshi |
Character
The real name of the character is Himalay, a name given by his father. He follows a lifestyle that was instructed by his psychopathic father who wanted him to be a great man.[2]
Himu wears a yellow panjabi that does not have a pocket and lives a mostly nomadic life. He walks barefoot on the streets of Dhaka without certain destination. He does not have a job and, therefore, no source of income. He prefers the life of a beggar than that of a hard worker, often praising begging. However, Himu walks endlessly – never using any form of transportation.[3] The charterer is decidedly eccentric and unorthodox in outlook.[4]
He has a cult following for his spiritual power of predicting future events of anyone, including those of police officer, beggar, neighbor, relatives and tea stall proprietor. Most of the time he indifferently speaks unpleasant truth about the person with whom he talks.[2]
Himu unlike Misir Ali, argues that the beliefs make things happen, not inspecting or asking questions. This aspect of him makes him a person who lives by the magical side of the world, not using logic.[2]
There are 21 novels about Himu. Four others are Himu-based.
Novels featuring Himu
- ময়ূরাক্ষী: Mayurakkhi (peafowl eyes). Anannya. 1990.
- দরজার ওপাশে: Darojar Opashe (on the other side of the door). 1992.
- হিমু: Himu (Himu). 1993.
- পারাপার: Parapar (the Crossing). 1994. ISBN 978-9848683675.
- এবং হিমু ...: Ebong Himu (And Himu..). 1995. ISBN 978-9844580985.
- হিমুর হাতে কয়েকটি নীলপদ্ম: Himur Hate Kaekti Neelpadmo (Some blue Lotuses in Himu's hand). 1996.
- হিমুর দ্বিতীয় প্রহর: Himur Dwiteeyo Prohor (The second morning of Himu). 1997. ISBN 978-9844371453.
- হিমুর রূপালী রাত্রি: Himur Roopalee Ratri (The silver night of Himu). 1998. ISBN 978-9848485057.
- একজন হিমু কয়েকটি ঝিঁ ঝিঁ পোকা: Ekjon Himu Kaekti Jhin Jhin Poka (A Himu and some Crickets). 1999.
- তোমাদের এই নগরে: Tomader Ei Nagore (In your city). 2000. ISBN 978-9844121171.
- চলে যায় বসন্তের দিন: Chole Jay Basonter Din (The days of spring are passing by). 2002. ISBN 978-9848681763.
- সে আসে ধীরে: Se Ase Dheere (He approaches slowly). 2003. ISBN 978-9848682531.
- আঙুল কাটা জগলু: Angul Kata Joglu (Fingerless Joglu). 2005. ISBN 978-9844373266.
- হলুদ হিমু কালো র্যাব: Holud Himu Kalo Rab (Yellow Himu, Black RAB). 2006. ISBN 978-9848683965.
- আজ হিমুর বিয়ে: Aaj Himur Biye (Today is Himu's wedding). Anyaprokash. 2007. ISBN 978-9848684153.
- হিমু রিমান্ডে: Himu Remande (Himu is in Custody). Anyaprokash. 2008. ISBN 978-9848684641.
- হিমুর মধ্যদুপুর: Himur Modhodupur (The mid afternoon of Himu). Annesha. 2009.
- হিমুর নীল জোছনা: Himur Neel Jotsna (The moonlit night of Himu). Anyaprokash. 2010. ISBN 978-9848685938.
- হিমুর আছে জল: Himur Ache Jol (Himu has water). Anyaprokash. 2011. ISBN 978-9845020015.
- হিমু এবং একটি রাশিয়ান পরী: Himu Ebong Ekti Russian Pori (Himu and a Russian fairy). Gyanakosha. 2011. ISBN 978-9848933602.
- হিমু এবং হার্ভার্ড Ph.D. বল্টুভাই: Himu Ebong Harvard Ph.D. Boltu Bhai (Himu and Harvard Ph.D brother Boltu). Anyaprokash. 2011. ISBN 978-9845020428.
Other Himu-related books
- হিমু মামা: Himu Mama (Uncle Himu). 2004.
- হিমুর একান্ত সাক্ষাৎকার ও অন্যান্য: Himur Ekanto Shakhkhatkar O Onnanno (Himu's exclusive interview and other). 2008.
- হিমুর বাবার কথামালা: Himur Babar Kothamala (Words of Himu's father). Annesha. 2009.
- ময়ূরাক্ষীর তীরে: Moyurakkhir Tire (At the bank of Moyurakkhi). 2011.
See also
- Misir Ali, Bengali character created by Humayun Ahmed
References
- Talukder, Tusar (11 August 2012). "Humayun Ahmed and his stories". The Daily Star.
- "Turn the Pages, be Your Heroes". The Daily Star. 2016-07-29. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
- "::: Star Weekend Magazine :::". archive.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
- "Star Magazine". archive.thedailystar.net. Retrieved 2017-07-01.