Humayun Ahmed

Ahmed signing books (2010)

Humayun Ahmed (13 November 1948 – 19 July 2012) was a Bangladeshi novelist, dramatist, screenwriter, filmmaker, songwriter, scholar, and professor.

Quotes

• Imagine you are on a planet. When you look at the planet, you may think that the planet has been the same forever. But if you go there and see a Nikon camera, you will have to hold it in your hand and say that it has a maker. When you look at a small plastic camera, you say that it has a maker. But the camera has many limitations. There is a person behind you. As soon as the camera focuses on the person behind you, you will become out of focus. And as soon as the camera focuses on you, the person behind you will become out of focus. But the human eye does not have this problem. The eye is much more powerful than the camera. There is a machine in our body, whose job is to keep the body's sugar level stable. The entire human body is full of such diverse and complex machinery. I do not think that all these complex things happened in one day. What does "Darwin's Theory" say? It says, survival of the fittest. It says, in order to survive on earth, humans will face various dangers, and we have become like this in order to overcome them. But the eyes of animals are yellow. And our eyes are white. This happened so that people could recognize themselves in the darkness. This knowledge was enough for us to survive. But how did this knowledge come to man's mind that he actually discovered the "Big Bang Theory"? Who gave this extraordinary knowledge to man? If you pay attention, you will see that the first house that man builds is a prayer room. It is the same for people of all nations. That means, from the very beginning, man was actually worried about one thing - Who is guiding me?[1]
• In the Holy Quran, Surah Takbir, a verse was revealed about the girl buried alive. While describing the Day of Judgment, the Most Gracious said - "When the sun loses its light, when the stars fall, the mountains are removed. When the pregnant camel is neglected, when the wild animals gather, when the sea swells, when the soul is reunited with the body, then the girl buried alive will be asked - for what crime was she killed?" I, an unlettered person, wanted to write for you the biography of the great man who brought us this message of the Most Gracious. All people have debts to their fathers and mothers. We also have debts to the Prophet. It is an extremely difficult attempt to repay that huge debt. If I have made any mistakes, I ask forgiveness from the Most Gracious. He exists only to forgive. I ask forgiveness from the Prophet too. He also has a vast ocean of forgiveness.
  • Nabiji (Dear Prophet), Lilabatir Mrittyu (the death of Lilavati)
• So many people are hanged for no good reason, so many people die by the roadside and there is hardly any public headache over these. Yet, here was a fictional character being hanged and the public are up in arms. I was quite taken aback by all this.
  • 2012 Interview with BBC, on the public agitation over Baker Bhai's hanging.
• Both love and hate are written in human eyes
• Those who understand less, are the happiest in this world.
  • Tandrabilas (Passion for sleep)

• "It is the nature of the human race to feel safer in the shelter of lies than in the shelter of truth."
  • Deyal (The wall)
• As the days go by, Bangabandhu is getting more and more annoyed with the military. The military is a monster. Just as the Pakistani military is a monster, so is the Bangladeshi military. If Saint Martin Island becomes independent for any reason, if they have a military, they will also be monsters. Bangabandhu has made a defense agreement with India for twenty-five years. There is no need for the military anymore. The power of the military must be gradually reduced. It must be done in such a way that they cannot even understand. One morning, they will wake up and see that there is no soil under their boots. There is quicksand under their boots. They will slowly sink into quicksand. This is the only way to make a monster human. Bangabandhu stood up with his pipe in hand. Now it was his turn to see off the visitors one by one. The list of those he met that day and the measures he took is given below- 1. Relatives of the devoted Awami Leaguer Mozammel: Mozammel has been captured by Major Nasser. Place Tongi. As soon as Bangabandhu entered the house, Mozammel's father and the two Bangabandhu fell at his feet. The Tongi Awami League president also tried to catch him but failed. He tried to catch Mozammel's relatives. Finding his feet, Bangabandhu said, "Tell me what happened?" The Tongi Awami League president said, "Our Mozammel is involved in a false case. Major Naser caught him. Naser said, "If you give me three hundred thousand taka, I will release him." What is the false case? Mozammel's father cried and said, "A murder case has been filed." The Tongi Awami League president said, "When this Major Awami League hears this, he lights up like a star. He has publicly declared that he will not hold any Awami League against Tongi." Bangabandhu! I myself am now restless with fear. I do not live in Tongi. I have moved to Dhaka. (Crying) Bangabandhu said, "Don't cry. Nothing worth crying about has happened. I am still alive. I am not dead. I am taking action." He ordered Mozammel to be released immediately. An urgent order was given to remove Major Naser from Tongi. The main incident (Source: Bangladesh Legacy of Blood, Anthony Mascarenhaas) A newlywed couple was traveling in a car. The brutal terrorist Mozammel, along with his gang, intercepted the car. He killed the driver of the car and the husband of the newlywed girl. They all raped the girl. The girl's bloody dead body was found under the Tongi bridge three days later. After Mozammel was caught by Major Naser, Mozammel said, "Don't make trouble and let me go. I will give you three hundred thousand taka. Don't take the matter to the government level. I will be released on the orders of Bangabandhu himself. You will be in danger. I don't want to involve Bangabandhu in a trivial matter." Major Naser said, "Is this a trivial matter?" Mozammel did not answer. He looked at him with bored eyes. Major Naser said, "I will definitely arrange for you to be hanged." Put your three lakh taka in your anus. -Mozammel said, let's see. -Mozammel invited Major Naser to eat cooked kathal at his house after being released.
  • Deyal, page; 85, 86
• Uncle Jamil: (After reciting the Quran at the end of the prayer, he says to Moti) Listen Moti, Allah created the world and humans because of His love. Now tell me, what do you understand by love? Moti: Love is a matter of shame and embarrassment between husband and wife, but it is necessary. Uncle Jamil: (Struck with bloodshot eyes and shocked) Moti, get out of my sight right now... Who is there, anyone, bring a bucket of water, pour water on my head...
  • Aj Robibar (Today is Sunday)
• Usually I have allergies to some things. Atel parents' sons and daughters are one of those. Atels can be tolerated, but their off-spring is intolerable. Continuously living in a wise weather, their nature becomes confusing and strangely foolish. Their intelligence goes in a new line. These lines are very horrible. ..... The meaning of some words is really changing over time, day by day these meanings are becoming more and more opposite. Suppose the word "intellectual". Etymological meaning of the word is: those who gain livelihood by intellect or by the works of intellect. But what is the meaning of the word "intellectual" today? Today the term intellectual is being used as a group of moody selfish opportunists whose main work is giving satement. A few days ago one of my friends said - many kinds of movements are being held in the country. In the movements, students die, workers die, homeless orphans die, but no intellectual dies here. They use to survive through the tactics. Because, who will give statements if they die? Who will take care of the culture? Who will be the chief guest and special guest in the meetings-conferences? Someone can think of my writing after reading it that, I want to underestimate the work of giving statement by making it easier. But I'm not doing it ever. I saw intimate moments of signing of an intellectual in a statement in this country - I know how difficult it is to do. In order to sign the statement, an intellectual have to notice lot of sides. The first thing is to see who has signed before him. What is the background of those who signed? Pro-China or pro-Russia or pro-America? Then to think, will the government laxation will be annoyed if the signature is signed in the statement? Will the public will become angry after signing on the statenent? There is also other tensions - will his name on the newspaper be printed properly? Will his seniority be maintained properly? Won't his name be mentioned after any newly less-popular activists name? I noticed that the intellectuals are very cautious. They do not want anyone to be angry. They themselves also never become angry. The smile of their faces is always in appearance. Who knows, how they make this impossible as possible."
• Elebele (Unnecessary) part 2
• On rainy days, I remember the songs of my childhood, The rain falls heavily, The river floods; If I call you, Come hold my hand, Let's get wet in the rain today, Come sing a song with a kind gaze on the clouds, You won't come; I know, I know, Why do you call me for no reason, Why do I die of thirst? Dear, please come, let's get wet in the water, In the rain of the autumn night; How much love, how much loving togather, Tears were watery, how much laughter, Keeping eyes on eyes, painting with tears, in the night of Jasmine breeze; Even though you are close, How far away you are, I die of thirst, Let's get wet in the rain today.
  • Cholo Brishtitey Bhiji (Let's get wet in rain) (song), Amar Acche Jol (I have water) (film)

Quotes about Ahmed

• Humayun's works are the most profound and most fruitful that literature has experienced since the time of Tagore and Nazrul.
  • Interview with Times of India], by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.
• A skilled photographer equipped with a camera with a very powerful lens who captures mainly photographs of ordinary birthday parties.
  • Criticising Ahmed on his capabilities, by educationist, writer and his younger brother, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal.