Bangladesh is observing the 11th death anniversary of the iconic writer and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed on Wednesday.
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, United States.
His family and several organizations are observing the day through different programs and events.
Humayun Ahmed's widow and 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 were organized since morning, and a prayer ceremony was also held to seek the eternal peace of his soul. Orphans will be fed at noon marking the occasion, according to both Shaon and Nuhash Palli authorities.
Himu Paribahan, a renowned fan group of the writer, has been observing the special day since 2013. Members of the platform placed wreaths at the writer's grave in the morning.
Several other organizations are also commemorating the day with various events, while fans and admirers are sharing emotional tributes to the legend on their social media accounts.
Television channels and radio stations are also airing various programs, 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.
He studied at Bogra Zilla School and Dhaka College, before earning 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 him 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.
He won the Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award and more for his outstanding contribution to the Bangali culture and entertainment sphere.
Humayun 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," which created a never-before-seen hype in the nation surrounding the lead character Baker Bhai, portrayed by veteran actor Asaduzzaman Noor.
Humayun Ahmed also saw success as a filmmaker in the early 1990s and went on to make a total of eight films in his filmmaking career, each based on his novels. Two of his films, "Shyamol Chhaya" (2004) and "Ghetuputra Komola" (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in their respective years.
He received seven Bangladesh National Film Awards in different categories for the films "Shonkhonil Karagar" (as screenwriter), "Aguner Poroshmoni," "Daruchini Dwip" and "Ghetuputra Komola."
