Today marks the 69th birth anniversary of prolific author, dramatist, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed (November 13, 1948–July 19, 2012). To celebrate the birth anniversary of the prominent figure of Bengali literature, different cultural organisations and TV channels have chalked out various programmes those will be taking place to make the entire day only for Ahmed.

Like the previous year, on the occasion of Humayun Ahmed’s birth anniversary, Channel i is organising Humayun Mela (Fair) tilted ‘ACI Pure Salt-Humayun Mela’ on its premises at Tejgaon in the capital.

Beginning from 3:05pm, eminent personalities of different fields will attend the fair, which will end at 7pm.The event will also feature a performance of popular songs written by Humayun Ahmed. The fair will also feature dance, recitation and recalling memory by the family members and well-wishers of Humayun Ahmed, stalls featuring video CDs of Humayun Ahmed’s books, films and tele-dramas will also be available at the fair. Channel i and Radio Bhumi will air the programme live.

On the other hand, to celebrate the occasion, the publishers of Humayun Ahmed’s books have arranged a seven-day solo book fair consisting of Humayun Ahmed’s books on the premises of the Public Library. Eminent litterateur Selina Hossain will inaugurate the book fair today as chief guest, where Humayun Ahmed’s wife Meher Afroz Shaon and Humayun Ahmed’s brother eminent cartoonist Ahsan Habib will be present as special guests.

Nandanik Natya Sampraday has also come up with a celebration programme to mark the birth anniversary of playwright Humayun Ahmed. The troupe will stage Humayun Ahmed scripted first theatrical production ‘Nripati’ today at the Experimental Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Segun Bagicha in the capital.

In addition, Channel i will also air an array of programmes, such as musical programme, tele-drama and film to mark the birth anniversary of Humayun Ahmed. Besides, various satellite TV channels will also air special programmes to mark the day.

Born in 1948  in Mohongonj of Netrokona, 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 Polli.