Tears, tributes

The first novel that Rouf Mohammad Muhith had read was Humayun Ahmed's “Himu”. He was a student of class VI and thereafter he read all the books by this stand-apart writer.
“You were my role model. I will remember you forever,” Muhith, now a first-year student of Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf College, wrote in the condolence book yesterday, after paying the last tribute to his favourite writer at the Central Shaheed Minar.
He said he used to go to the Ekushey Book Fair every year just to get a copy of Humayun Ahmed's new book. “His story telling is unique. Whatever he wrote came from his heart and touched me. I also like the characters he created,” added the teenager in an emotion-choked voice.
Asked if the demise of the prolific writer had discouraged him from reading, Muhith said, “No. When I was in class VII, I met him at a book fair and asked for an autograph. It was there that he advised me never to stop reading.”
Millions of youths like Muhith and their earlier generations are deeply fond of Humayun Ahmed. This writer helped a whole range of generations to get back to reading through more than 200 books of his, most of which have been bestsellers. He inspired people to love their culture, tradition and nature.
Thousands of people from all walks of life, especially youths, gathered at the Central Shaheed Minar yesterday to pay the final tribute to the illustrious writer. His collections of Himu and Misir Ali; films Nandito Norokay, Shankhaneel Karagar; and books Jochhona O Jananir Golpo, Brihonnola, 1971, Gouripur Junction, Megh Bolechhe Jabo Jabo, Pencil-a Anka Pori, Kothao Keu Nei are only a few among his most popular works.
“Humayun Ahmed inspired us to dream and love nature, trees and moonlight,” said Jafrin Rezwana, a Dhaka University (DU) student of history, adding, “Death is not his end. His characters such as Himu, Misir Ali, Shubhro and Rupa will keep inspiring us.”
Sushmita Biswas, another DU student, said she had been having trouble accepting the fact that a great novelist, dramatist and filmmaker like Humayun Ahmed had died a premature death. “Shall we get any new books from him at the next book fair? No…this means a huge vacuum has been created in Bangla literature,” she added.
Humayun Ahmed also brought a new dimension to Bangla drama. He was a playwright, director and lyricist. Television viewers once even brought out processions urging the writer not to kill one of his characters, “Baker Bhai”, in the serial Kothao Keu Nei in the 1990s.
Recalling his memories, actor Masum Aziz told The Daily Star that he had found no lack of qualities as a human being in Humayun Ahmed. Besides writing and directing, he knew magic and how to paint and act. Overall, Humayun Ahmed was a scientist, he added.
“He knew about people's tastes the best. His scripts for drama were superb. Anyone could act with his dialogues,” said Aziz, expressing his sorrow that the acting industry had lost a valuable asset.
Development activist Ranjan Karmaker said the youth of the early 1980s was not interested in reading. Writers and publishers of that time used to be afraid of printing a big number of copies of a book considering that only a handful of middle-aged people were the main buyers of books. Humayun Ahmed's books attracted the younger generation to the Bangla Academy and Ekushey Book Fair in the late 1980s and 1990s.
“There are even instances of five friends buying a single book of Humayun. Students save to buy his books. This is something commendable,” he said. He popularised Bangla folk songs, musical instruments and stories to a great extent.
“You can now see the youth of today singing folk songs. Humayun Ahmed played an important role in this regard,” said Ranjan Karmaker.
Film director Chashi Nazrul Islam said Humayun Ahmed had enriched the Bangladeshi film industry when it was in a great crisis. He also inspired people about the Liberation War and patriotism.
Shankhaneel Karagar, Aguner Poroshmoni, Srabon Megher Din, Dui Duari, Chondrokotha, Noi No. Bipod Shongket, Amar Achhe Jol, Nirontor, Priotomeshu, Daruchini Dweep, Shyamol Chhaya and Ghetuputro Komola are some of his best known films.
Actress and Awami League lawmaker Tarana Halim said a great man like Humayun Ahmed was no more, but the question remained whether any initiative would be there to fill the vacuum of the great people the country had lost.
“The writer wanted to set up a cancer hospital. We will try to make his dream come true,” she said.