A weeklong book fair, celebrating eminent litterateur Humayun Ahmed’s 63rd birthday, is now on at the Public Library premises. The fair features the entire collection of Humayun Ahmed’s books. The author’s mother, Ayesha Fayez, inaugurated the fair, and unveiled an autobiography of the author titled “Rong Pencil”.
The book fair has been organised by the publishers of Humayun Ahmed’s books.
Celebrating her son’s birthday, Ayesha Fayez said, “Every year we get to celebrate Humayun’s birthday together, but it is quite distressing that this year he is undergoing treatment abroad. But I am overwhelmed to see the demonstration of love that his fans have for him on his birthday. Let us all pray for his early recovery.”
Among others who attended the event and wished for Ahmed’s early recovery were Nawazish Ali Khan, Rasheda K Chowdhury, Saleh Chowdhury, Imdadul Huque Milon, Maqsud Jamil Mintu, Kazi Arif and S.I. Tutul. Farid Ahmed spoke on behalf of the publishers.
Everyday the fair will feature street plays, recitation, and readings from popular books of Humayun Ahmed.
The inaugural programme featured recitation by poets Rafiq Azad, Mohammad Nurul Huda, Shahabuddin Nagri and Arif Mohiuddin. Zahidul Haque, Jharna Rahman and Hamid Kaiser read excerpts from short stories, while Bhashwar Bandyopadhyay and Dima Nefartiti recited poems.
A street play, titled “Ajab Baksho”, was staged by Chandrakala Theatre. Matiur Rahman, editor of Prothom Alo, gave away copies of the book “Rong Pencil” among the cast of the play.
In all, 16 publishers are taking part at the book fair. They are: Oboshar Prokashoni; Onno Prokash; Anupom Prokashoni; Onnesha Prokashon; Afsar Brothers, Kakoli Prokashoni; Gyankosh Prokashoni; Pearl Publications; Pratik Prokashona Shongstha; Bangla Prokash; Mawla Brothers; Shikha Prokashoni; Shomoy Prokashon; Shagor Publications and Shuborna Prokashon.
On his birthday, well-wishers gathered at Ahmed’s house ‘Dokhin Hawa’ at midnight and cut a cake with 63 candles — informed the writer’s son Nuhash. Among others present was illusionist Jewel Aich. Humayun Ahmed shared greetings through video-conference.
Ahmed spent his birthday in New York’s Jamaica neighborhood along with his wife Meher Afroz Shawon, sons Nishad and Ninid, and mother-in-law Tahura Ali.
