Humayun Ahmed Honored on 14th Death Anniversary at Nuhash Polli
Photo Collected
Admirers and family members gathered at Nuhash Polli in Gazipur on Sunday to commemorate the 14th death anniversary of celebrated novelist Humayun Ahmed. The late author, who transformed the landscape of Bengali literature, passed away on July 19, 2012, while undergoing treatment for cancer in New York.
At Nuhash Polli, the author’s wife, actress Meher Afroz Shaon, led a memorial tribute alongside their two sons, Ninit and Nishad Humayun, at the site of his grave beneath the litchi trees. The somber occasion included Quran recitations and a milad mahfil to seek peace for the author’s soul. Speaking to the media, Shaon noted that she and the staff of Nuhash Polli have remained the primary organizers of the author’s memorial events for the past 14 years. She stated that she no longer seeks government or state involvement, intending to continue these observances as long as the author’s family, staff, and dedicated readers remain.
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Addressing concerns regarding the establishment of a public library to house the author’s vast collection, Shaon explained that while private archives exist, there are no immediate plans to make them accessible to the general public. She cited past experiences of book theft—including rare, first-edition copies—as the primary reason for keeping the collection private, expressing deep regret over the loss of such irreplaceable literary heritage.
The event drew a steady stream of fans, poets, and writers throughout the day. Many attendees paid homage by dressing as iconic characters from Ahmed’s works, donning yellow panjabis as Himu and blue sarees as Rupa. Among the well-wishers, some advocated for the digital preservation of his plays and films, suggesting that modernizing these works in high resolution would allow future generations to better appreciate his immense creative contributions. Members of the fan organization “Himu Paribahan” also pledged to continue their outreach, which includes cancer awareness campaigns and literary festivals.
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Beyond Gazipur, the author’s birthplace in Kutubpur village, located in the Kendua upazila of Netrokona, hosted a comprehensive series of commemorative events. At the Shahid Smriti Bidyapith, a school founded by Ahmed, the day was marked by the hoisting of black flags, mourning processions, and tree planting, alongside academic competitions such as quizzes and painting.
Local educators and community leaders reflected on the author’s legacy, emphasizing his role as an advocate for rural development and education. School headmaster Md. Asaduzzaman lauded Ahmed for his ability to cultivate a reading culture across generations, noting that the author’s life and ideals remain a guiding force for the students of the institution he built. Family members reiterated that Ahmed’s work remains deeply relevant due to his profound empathy and his unique ability to articulate the complexities of the human condition.
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