The second death anniversary of celebrated novelist and playwright Humayun Ahmed passed off on July 19, bringing back his memory to countless admirers, friends and well wishers. The news of his death in a New York hospital two years ago came as a bolt from the blue for all Bangla literature lovers across the world. True, Humayun was suffering from deadly cancer, but his followers hoped he would live for some more time. There was also a faint hope that he would recover since many patients of such diseases did come back even from the jaws of death. But suddenly his physical condition deteriorated and sharply took a turn for the worse.
A pall of gloom descended on Bangladesh as soon as the terribly shocking news reached here. With his death, curtain fell on the glorious life of a writer, who not only gave the Bangla literature a new taste in the sense that his writings were a test of how popular a novelist could be. Undeniably, it is Humayun, who epimotised the impression that writers can also be commercially very successful since his books sold and still does like hot cakes. It is indeed very sad that readers of Bangla fiction lost such a gifted writer so prematurely.
Humayun Ahmed was a friend of mine and I feel enormously privileged when the word "Dost" resonates in my ear. We the friends no longer hear his affectionate friendly address and this is so poignant that at times quite difficult to bear. Additionally, apart from being a great celebrity, Humayun was a nice soul, who also cared for friendship and showed tremendous respect for human values. This is not to say that he was above criticisms. Nevertheless, some people are far too ahead in terms of their noble qualities regardless of their progress in the professional field. Humayun Ahmed was also a fine person in addition to his extra-ordinary writings prowess that has made him a legend in his life time.
We were contemporary in the Dhaka university - he in the science faculty and I in the arts. He stayed in Mohsin hall and myself in the S.M. Hall. Not that we were very close - neither did we use to meet quite often. Nonetheless, whenever we met, Humayun used to greet his friends with a great smile although in a way he was largely a social recluse. He loved to remain mostly by himself or within a small circle.
It was during the Mohsin hall days, his literary qualities began to blossom as he wrote the much-acclaimed "Nandito Noroke" and "Sankhanil Karagar"Â then. A brilliant student of the chemistry, he left many to wonder as to how he made a splendid impact in the literary arena. Humayun was humble as hardly he would say - let alone write before his name "Dr." although he had a doctorate degree from a reputed American university.
 How popular he was as a writer and playwright can be gauged from the fact that people used to leave parties thrown on the occasion of marriage, birthday or other gatherings early just to watch on TV Humayun's serials. His epic works like "Bahubrihi", "Ei Shab Din Ratri", "Ayomyo" etc. were so popular that there was a craze even among the Bangalees in India and elsewhere to buy these cassettes.
He was very sensitive. I conclude this piece with an experience of mine. It was sometime before he was diagnosed as a cancer patient and incidentally and sadly, it was my last meetings with him in a cosy and friendly environment. He was having a lunch in the Dhaka club with his wife "Shaon", two minor children and close friend architect Karim. He was a chain smoker. I was at a different table. Humayun sent a bearer to me to join him. I did join, but after more than ten minutes. This delay, probably, hurt him and when I appeared before him, he was visibly annoyed. "Dost, you took so much time to come to me ..". I got upset as I knew that he was sentimental. Instead of defending myself, I sought to salvage the situation in a lighter vein. I smilingly told him "Look, an ordinary man like me has to take sometime to appear before a celebrity. .". Humayun laughed and said "you are a real writer on diplomatic affair!".
Humayun, we miss you, friend, while you are sleeping in "Nuhash Palli". We remember the avalanche of shock that your death caused when people - men-women and younger generation wailed and openly wept. Why did you leave so early Dost? Â
zaglulchowdhury@yahoo.co
Humayun Ahmed is sorely missed
Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury pays tribute to the memory of the celebrated writer on his 2nd anniversary of death | Published: July 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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