United News of Bangladesh

Tuesday marks the 10th death anniversary of eminent Bangladeshi writer, playwright, lyricist, academician and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed. The legendary litterateur passed away on July 19, 2012 due to colorectal cancer at the age of 63 at Bellevue Hospital, New York, in the United States. Commemorating the death anniversary, his family and several organizations are observing the day with different programmes and events. Humayun Ahmed's widow and actress and singer Meher Afroz Shaon, alongside their two sons Ninit and Nishad, placed floral wreaths at his grave at Nuhash Palli, Gazipur in the morning. Special prayers and Quran Khatam were organized in the morning, and a prayer ceremony was also held to seek the forgiveness of his soul. Orphans will be fed at noon marking this occasion, according to both Shaon and the authority of Nuhash Palli. Himu Paribahan, a renowned fan unit of the prolific litterateur, has been observing this special day since 2013. Members of the platform placed floral wreaths at the writer's grave in the morning. The Kishoreganj district unit of the group is organizing a special book reading season titled "Himu-der Boi Uthsab" from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Gurudayal College Field Muktamancha, while the Narsingdi unit of the platform will commemorate the legend with a special publication titled 'Kachari'. Besides, different units of the platform will plant trees in more than 45 districts and organise awareness programmes against cancer in more than 20 districts. Read: Remembering Humayun Ahmed, a polymath par excellence Several other organisations 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 programmes, highlighting the life and glorious career of the wordsmith. Channel-i is commemorating the acclaimed filmmaker with a special three-day programme schedule, showcasing three films of the prolific filmmaker including "Amar Achhe Jol" on Sunday, "Shrabon Megher Din" on Monday and "Ghetuputra Komola" on today. Humayun Ahmed was born in Kutubpur village at Mohanganj, Netrakona to Foyzur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez on November 13, 1948. In his academic life, he passed the School Certificate (1965) from Bogra Zilla School, Intermediate from Dhaka College and earned 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 Humayun 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. Humayun Ahmed won Bangla Academy Award, Lekhak Shibir Award, Shishu Academy Award, Michael Madhusudan Padak, Bachsas Award, and more for his outstanding contributions in his illustrious career to the Bengali culture and entertainment sphere. As a content maker in television, 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 historic hype in the nation - surrounding the lead character 'Baker Bhai', portrayed by veteran actor Asaduzzaman Noor. Humayun Ahmed also explored 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 own novels. Two of his films, 'Syamol Chhaya' (2004) and 'Ghetuputra Komola' (2012) were the official Bangladeshi submission 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'. The literateur is survived by two sons Ninit and Nishad with his second wife and actor-director Meher Afroze Shaon; and the only son Nuhash Humayun who is currently working in the media industry as a content creator and director, and three daughters Nova, Shila, Bipasha with his first wife Gultekin Ahmed.

Playwright Selim Al Deen was fondly remembered by his colleagues and admirers on the occasion of the 14th anniversary of his death on Friday. He died on 14 January 2008 at a private hospital in Dhaka. He was buried near the Central Mosque on the campus of Jahangirnagar University.  Due to the prevalence of coronavirus, the death anniversary of the playwright, who was awarded various medals, was observed with limited events complying with pandemic protocols. Read: Selim Al Deen Utsab ‘19 begins at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy The Department of Drama and Drama Theory of Jahangirnagar University, where he taught, organized various programmess with the slogan 'This face is your face, one and the same' Natyacharya, the promoter of a new genre in Bengali drama. Going against the colonial literary trend, Selim Al Deen brought the drama back to the dynamic style of traditional Bangla. He was the dreamer of Bangladesh Village Theater. He is also the lifeblood of Dhaka Theater.

Eminent actor and playwright Dr Enamul Haque was laid to rest at Banani graveyard in the capital on Tuesday afternoon. Earlier, the Ekushey Padak winning actor’s body was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar where people from all walks of life paid their last respect to him from 11 am to 12 noon, said Golam Kuddus, president of Sammilito Sangskritik Jote. Placing a wreath on the coffin of Dr Enamul, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, "Enamul Haque’s departure is an irreparable loss for us but his works for building  a non-communal Bangladesh will show us ways in future." Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Gonoshasthya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, paid their tributes to Enamul Haque. Later his  body was taken to Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) where Dr Enmaul worked for over four decades. Also read: Eminent thespian Dr Enamul Haque passes away His namaz-e-janaza was held at the university after Zohr prayers. Enmul Haque died on Monday afternoon while undergoing treatment at a hospital in the capital.

The 159th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore is being be celebrated on Friday.