Admirers celebrate life of Humayun Ahmed

Nuhash Palli saw a crowd once again yesterday. So did Shahbagh. All these people, mostly youth, came together to celebrate the 67th birth anniversary of Humayun Ahmed, the person who had consistently entertained people with his unorthodox writings, films and dramas for four decades.

Readers, publishers, and family members held celebratory programmes throughout the country.

At Nuhash Palli in Gazipur, where he was laid to rest, people paid floral tributes and a mural of the novelist, dramatist and filmmaker was unveiled. 

Lots of fans and admirers crowded Nuhash Palli, many young men clad in yellow panjabi, emulating the young character, Himu, created by Humayun. "I can't stand the word 'late' before his name. I think writers, artists or such great persons can't die, they live on," said Humayun's wife and actress Meher Afroz Shaon. She requested the government for taking initiatives to celebrate his birthday nationally.

On the public library premises in the capital, a nine-day fair solely of Humayun's books was inaugurated by Humayun's younger brother Prof Zafar Iqbal by releasing 67 balloons.

"He was an indifferent person. Sometimes I found some mistakes in his manuscripts and asked him to correct them, but he did not care to correct," he recalled.

Two of Humayun's books named "Humayun Ahmed Shishu Kishor Rochonaboli (Second Part)" and "Tomader Jonno Rupkotha (with illustrations)" were unveiled at the programme.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Managing Director of Channel I Faridur Reza Sagor, Shaon, and publishers of Humayun's books also recalled him.

He is the only person who created readers, said Muhith.

In Gazipur, Shaon and Humayun's two sons Nishad and Ninit unveiled the mural near the main gate of Nuhash Palli. Later family members and admirers laid wreaths at the grave and prayed for him.

The staff of Nuhash Palli launched the birth anniversary programmes by lighting 800 candles at different places and cutting cakes at 12:01am.

The architect of the mural, Hafiz Uddin Babu, said he took the initiative to build the 10-foot high and seven-foot wide mural out of his love for Humayun Ahmed. The mural was built from a picture of Humayun taken by photographer Nasir Ali Mamun.

Himu Paribahan, a fan group, unveiled a quarterly named "Himu Journal" at DU, with Abdul Kuddus Boyati, a popular folk singer, performing at the programme.

In Pirojpur town, fans brought out a procession, while a blood donation campaign and a discussion were also held with students taking part, reported our Pirojpur correspondent.

Humayun Ahmed died on July 19, 2012.