Humayun Ahmed at a glance

20 July 2012, 18:00 PM

Born: November 13, 1948 Birth Place: Kutubpur, Mymensingh Parents: Foyzur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez Occupation: Writer, filmmaker Education: PhD in Polymer Chemistry, North Dakota State University Genres: Novel, short story, drama, screenplay, autobiography, column Subjects: Magic realism, social life, mystery First novel: Nandito Narokey (1972) Notable work(s): Nandito Naroke, Shonkhonil Karagar, Ayomoy, Kothao Keu Nei, Mayurakkhi, Kobi, Janom Janom, Ami-i Misir Ali, Himu, Shubhro, Jyotsna O Jononir Golpo, Modhyanho and Megh Bolechhe Jabo Jabo Influences: Rabindranath Tagore, Ahmed Sofa Early life: Ahmed went to many schools in Sylhet, Comilla, Chittagong, Dinajpur and Bogra as his father lived in many places upon official assignment. He passed the School Certificate (1965) from Bogra Zilla School. He stood second in the merit list in the Rajshahi Education Board. Later he enrolled in Dhaka College and subsequently in Dhaka University to study Chemistry. He passed both BSc (Honours) and MSc with First Class. He joined Dhaka University as a lecturer of Chemistry. Later he went to North Dakota State University in the United States to study for PhD. Television and films: The TV serials, “Eishob Din Ratri”, “Bohubrihi” and “Ayomoy”, based on his books, made Ahmed hugely popular. He directed films based on his own stories. His first film “Aguner Parashmoni”, on the Liberation War, won the National Film Award in eight categories. Literary style: Humayun Ahmed distinguished himself with a unique simple literary diction that quickly became popular. Death: After a nine-month struggle against colorectal cancer, he died at Bellevue Hospital in New York on July 19, 2012.