Today is the fifth death anniversary of prolific author, dramatist, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker, Humayun Ahmed (November 13, 1948 –July 19, 2012). To mark the occasion, Channel i has chalked out 24-hour programmes, which will be aired on its screen from the early morning to midnight. The daylong programmes include musical show, discussion, debate programme, film based on Humayun Ahmed’s story, telefilm inspired by his story and others. Channel i’s 24-hour programmes will begin with a musical show titled ‘Gaane Gaane Sokal Shuru’ directed by Mostafizur Rahman Nantu. The show will be aired at 7:30am. In this episode, singer SI Tutul will perform a number of popular songs written by Humayun Ahmed.

Anchored and directed by Zillur Rahman, a special episode of ‘Tritiyo Matra’ will be aired at 9:45am. The celebrity talk show ‘Taroka Kathan’ will be aired live from the studio of Channel i at 12:30pm. The show is directed by Ananna Roma. ‘Krishnapakkha’, a feature film based on Humayun Ahmed story and directed by Meher Afroz Shaon, will be aired at 2:40pm.

A unique debate programme, titled ‘Amar Maddhyomei Beche Thakben Humayun Ahmed’ (Humayun Ahmed will live through me) with the five characters created by Humayun Ahmed, will be aired at 6:30pm. The programme is directed by Mostafizur Rahman Nantu.

A telefilm titled ‘Rupar Jonno Bhalobasa’ inspired by the story of Humayun Ahmed will be aired at 7:50pm. Popular actor Chanchal Chowdhury, Toya and Ishana, among others, have acted in the telefilm directed by Raju Alim.

To note, Humayun Ahmed, born in 1948  in Mohongonj of Netrokona, his father was Faizur Rahman Ahmed, a police officer and writer, was killed by the Pakistani military during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971, and his mother was Ayesha Foyez. He educated at Dhaka University. He later joined the university as a lecturer of chemistry before becoming a full-time writer.

Ahmed reached peak of his fame with the publication of his novel ‘Nondito Noroke’ (In Blissful Hell) in 1972, which remains one of his most famous works, winning admiration from literary critics, including Dr. Ahmed Sarif. He wrote over 200 fiction and non-fiction books, all of which were bestsellers in Bangladesh. His first television drama was ‘Prothom Prohor’ (first moment) in 1983, directed by Nawazesh Ali Khan. His first drama serial was Ei Shob Din Ratri (Tale of our daily lives). It was followed by the comedy series Bohubrihi, the historical drama series Ayomoy, and the urban drama series Kothao Keu Nei (There is no one in anywhere). The last one featured a fictional character of an idealistic gang leader named Baker Bhai, who was wrongly convicted and executed. His first film, ‘Aguner Poroshmoni’, based on the liberation war, won the National Film Award in total eight categories, including Best Picture and Best Director. Ahmed also wrote songs for a few of his own films and plays. Some of the notables are titled as ‘Ami Aaj Bhejabo Chokh Somudrer Joley’, ‘Chadni Poshor Ratey’ and ‘Amaaar Achey Jol’. He died on July 19 in 2012 at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. Earlier, in 2011 Ahmed had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He was buried in Nuhash Palli.