Humayun Ahmed

Ahmed wrote his debut novel Nondito Noroke (In Blissful Hell) during the 1971 Bangladesh independence war while he was a university student.[18][19] The novel was published in 1972 by the initiative of writer Ahmed Sofa under Khan Brother's Publishers.[20][21] From his very first novel, his themes included the aspirations of average middle-class urban families and portrayed quintessential moments of their lives.[22] His second novel was Shonkhonil Karagar.[23]

Ahmed wrote fictional series featuring recurring characters such as Himu (21 novels), Misir Ali (20 novels) and less frequently, Shubhro (6 novels)[23][24][25] He wrote several novels based on the Bangladesh Liberation War – Aguner Poroshmoni, Paap, 1971, Srabon Megher Din, and Jochona O Jononir Golpo.[23] His wrote some romantic novels including Badol Diner Prothom Kodom Phool, Noboni, Krishnopoksho, Aj Dupure Tomar Nimontran, and Tumi Amai Dekechhile Chhutir Nimontrane.[23]

Ahmed wrote autobiographies - Hotel Graver Inn, Amar Chelebela, Rong Pencil and Fountain Pen.[26][27][28][29] His novel Gouripur Junction was translated in nine languages.[23]

Ahmed's first television drama was Prothom Prohor (1983), directed by Nawazish Ali Khan.[30] His first drama serial was Ei Shob Din Ratri (1985). This was followed by the comedy series Bohubrihi (1988), the historical drama series Ayomoy (1988), the urban drama series Kothao Keu Nei (1990), Nokkhotrer Raat (1996), and Aaj Robibar (1999). In addition, he made single episode dramas, most notably Nimful (1997).[31]

Ahmed directed films based on his own stories. His first film, Aguner Poroshmoni (1994), based on the Bangladesh Liberation War, won the 19th Bangladesh National Film Awards in a total of eight categories, including the awards for the Best Film and the Best Director.[32][33] Another film Shyamal Chhaya (2005) was also based on the same war.[34] His last directed film, Ghetuputra Kamola (2012), the story of a teenage boy, was set in the British colonial period.[35]

Shyamol Chhaya and Ghetuputra Kamola were selected as the Bangladeshi entries for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006 and 2012 respectively, but were not nominated.[36][37]

In 2009, Ahmed appeared as one of two judges for the reality television music competition show Khudey Gaanraaj.[38]

Ahmed composed around 40 songs which he used in his films and television dramas.[39] The songs were based on the folk music of the north-eastern part of Bangladesh.[39] His notable singles include "Lilabali Lilabali Ghoro Joubothi Shoi Go", "'Pubali Batashey", "Ekta Chhilo Shonar Konya", "O Amar Ural Ponkhi Rey", "Jodi Mon Kadey", "Ke Porailo Amar Chokh-e Kolonko Kajol", "Ami Aaj Bhejabo Chokh Somudrer Joley", "Cholona Brishtitey Bhiji", "Channi Poshor Raite Jeno Amar Moron Hoy", "Hablonger Bajarey Giya" and "Konya Nachilo Rey".[39] The songs were rendered by Subir Nandi, S I Tutul, Meher Afroz Shaon and others.[39]

Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus assessed Ahmed's overall impact saying: "Humayun's works are the most profound and most fruitful that literature has experienced since the time of Tagore and Nazrul."[40] Similarly, according to poet Al Mahmud, "one golden age of Bengali literature ended with Tagore and Nazrul and another began" with Ahmed.[40] Writer Imdadul Haq Milan considered him to be "the almighty lord of Bengali literature, controlling all their actions and thoughts".[40] Dawn, Pakistan's oldest and most widely read English-language newspaper, referred to him as the cultural legend of Bangladesh.[41] Times of India credited Humayun as "the person who single-handedly shifted the capital of Bengali literature from Kolkata to Dhaka".[40] Sunil Gangopadhyay described him as the most popular writer in the Bengali language for a century[42] and according to him, Ahmed was even more popular than Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.[43] However, during his lifetime author Shahriar Kabir dismissed him for "always speaking for the establishment."[44] Literary critic Azfar Hussain said: "I am not surprised he talks like a pro-establishment writer. I find him ignorant."[44]

On 11 May 2012, two chapters of Ahmed's future novel Deyal were published in the daily Prothom Alo.[45] 3 days later, Attorney General of Bangladesh Mahbubey Alam drew attention of the High Court on a discrepancy about a detail of the historical event of killing Sheikh Russel in Ahmed's writing.[46][45] The court later issued a suo moto rule and asked the authorities to provide Ahmed copies of relevant documents and judgements of the killing case, so that Ahmed could rectify the writing.[47][45]