Humayun Azad

Humayun Azad (Bangla: হুমায়ুন আজাদ) (Rarhi Khal, Dhaka Bangladesh, 28 April, 1947 - Munich, Germany, 11 August, 2004) was a prolific Bangladeshi author and scholar. He wrote more than seventy titles. He was widely known for his anti-establishment, anti-religion and anti-military voice and was reputed for caustic remarks.

Professional and literary life

After graduating from the University of Dhaka in "Bengali language and Literature", Humayun Azad, in 1976, obtained his PhD in linguistics from the University of Edinburgh. He later served as a teacher of Bengali Language and literature at the University of Dhaka and in his early career produced pioneering works on Bangla linguistics, notably Bengali syntax. He was regarded as a leading linguist of the one-thousand-year-old Bangla (Bengali) language.

Towards the end of 1980s he started to write newspaper column focusing on contemporary socio-political issues. His commentaries continued throughout the 1990s and were later published as books as they grew in numbers. Through his writings of 1990s, he established himself as a freethinker and appeared to be an atheist. He fearlessly and openly criticized in his works religious extremism, including Islam, the major religion in Bangladesh.

Professor Humayun Azad published the first comprehensive feminist book in Bengali on the subject of women titled "Naari" (Bangla for 'Woman') in 1992. Largely akin to The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir in contents and ideas, "Naari" became a best-seller and earned Humayun Azad popularity as an author. In this work Humayun Azad painstakingly compiled the feminist ideas of the West that underlie the feminist contributions of the subcontinent's socio-political reformers and drew attention to the anti-women attitude of some legendary Bengali writers including Rabindranath Tagore. The work, critical of the patriarchal and male-chauvinistic attitude of religions towards women, attracted negative reaction from conservative censors. The Government of Bangladesh banned the book in 1995. The ban was eventually lifted in 2000, following a legal battle that Humayun Azad won in the High Court of the country.

Assassination attempt

On February 27, 2004, he became the victim of a vicious assassination attempt by unidentified assailants near the campus of the University of Dhaka. An Islamist group named Jamayatul Mujahedin Bangladesh had taken the responsibility of the incident. But this has not yet been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. As he was returning to his Fuller Road residence from the yearly book fair held at the Bangla Academy premises, the assailants stopped him on the road and hacked at his neck and face with machetes, cracking bombs to disperse the crowd who tried to rescue him. He subsequently fell into a coma for four days, but eventually survived after receiving intensive treatment at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. He was then taken to Bumrungrad hospital in Bangkok for further treatment of his critically damaged face. The incident created a huge backlash among the progressive liberals in the society and the public in general who were appalled at the lack of security that made this attack on one of the most renowned scholars in the country possible. The students of the university were especially agitated at this heinous crime against their beloved teacher on their very own campus and marched in protest.

The assassination attempt took place following the publication of his novel "Pak Sar Jamin Saad Baad", a story based on religious groups in Bangladesh who collaborated with the Pakistani army during the 1971 independence war. In it he tried to expose the attitudes and activities of the Islamists, Pakistan sympathizers and the nationalists in Bangladesh. He created a scenario that vividly portrayed the fanatic and barbaric nature of these groups. Afterwards, Dr. Azad expressed that he had suffered severe mental trauma since the attack, but he also vowed to continue writing against the rise of Muslim militants in Bangladesh.

Muslim scholars in Bangladesh, on the other hand, condemned the assassination attempt but simultaneously claimed that the novel injured the sentiments of the majority. They demanded that the novel be banned and a blasphemy law be passed so that no such book could be published in the future, a reaction not too dissimilar to their treatment of his earlier "Naari".

Death

On August 11, 2004, Professor Azad died in his apartment in Munich, Germany, where he had moved just a week prior to conducting research on the nineteenth century German romantic poet Heinrich Heine. His body was brought home and he was laid to eternal rest in Rarhikhal, his rural homeland.

Literary Achievements

Literary career of Humayun Azad started with poetry. However, his poems did not show any notable poetic fervour. On the other hand his literary essays, particularly those based on original research, carried significant value.

He earned reputation as a newspaper columnist towards the end of 1980s. These were merciless attacks on social and political injustice, hypocrisy and corruption. He was uncowed in protesting military rule. His collected his critical remarks in a book styled "Humayun Azader Probochonguccho" which is apparently an influence of Flaubert's "Dictionary of Accepted Ideas" .

Publication of "Naari", a feminist work on woman, earned him general popularity and paved way for establishing himself in the literary world of Bangladesh. He started to write novels in 1990s which sold well. His writings show deep sense of hatred for politicians, military and the Islamists. In fiction he profusely used erotic themes which quickly appealed to the younger generation.

Nevertheless, his prose shows a well-knit and compact style of his own. His formation of sentence, choice of words and syntax are very characteristic of him. Although he often fell victim to the temptation of using fiction as a vehicle of conspicuous political and philosophical message, he distinguished himself with his catachrestic style and diction.

Awards

* Bangla Academy Award.

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Quotations

* "Knowledge never springs from faith. It springs from doubt."
* "Nothing is more pleasurable than power."
* "Don't mention Taslima Nasrin to me - I may contract syphilis."
* "I didn't find more than five Bengalies, namely, Professor Abdur Razzaq, Ahmad Sharif, Shawkat Osman, poet Shamsur Rahman and painter Quamrul Hassan who deserved to be interviewed by me".
* "I have never referred Sheikh Mujib as "Bangabandhu". I have no idol."
* "Bengali Mussalmans are a bizarre nation. Dictators can spell them with wonders."
* "The sublime constitution of Bangladesh was slaughtered within one hour" (referring to the enactment of the 4th Amendment of the Bangladesh Constitution by the Parliament under the leadership of Sheikh Mujib, on 25 January 1975.
* "Not a single atheist is corrupt, but all religious men are corrupt".
* "President Ershad added many new dimensions to military dictatorship ; He made military dictatorship multi-dimensional".
* “The concept of (Father of the Nation) is objectionable to me (referring to Sheikh Mujib being called the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh established in 1971).

Literary works

Poetry

* Aloukik Ishtimar (1973)
* Jolo Chitabagh (1980)
* Shob Kichu Noshtoder Odhikare Jabe (1985)
* Jotoi Gobhire Jai Modhu Jotoi Uporay Jai Neel (1987)
* Ami Bachay Chilam Onnoder Shomoy (1990)
* Humayun Azader Shreshtho Kobita (1993)
* Adhunik Bangla Kobita (1994)
* Kafone Mora Osrubindu (1998)
* Kabya Shonggroho (1998)
* Chosha boi (1999)

Fictions

* Chappanno Hazar Borgomile (1994) [http://worldcat.org/oclc/60043495 OCLC 60043495]
* Shob Kichu Bhenge Pore (1995)
* Manush Hishbe Amar Oporadhshomuho (1996)
* Jadukorer Mrittu (1996)
* Shuvobroto, Tar Shomporkito Shushomacher (1997)
* Rajnitibidgon (1998)
* Kobi Othoba Dondito Aupurush (1999)
* Nijer Shongge Nijer Jiboner Modhu (2000)
* Fali Fali Ko're Kata Chand (2001)
* Uponnashshonggroho-Ak (Collection of Novels, Vol.1) (2001)
* Sraboner Brishtite Roktojoba (2002)
* Uponnashshonggroho-Dui (Collection of Novels, Vol.2) (2001)
* Dosh Hazar Abong Aro Akti Dhorshon (2003)
* Pak Sar Jamin Saad Baad (2003) ISBN 984-401-769-6
* Ekti Khuner svapna (2004)

Criticism

* Rabindraprobondho/Rashtro O Shomajchinta (1973)
* Shamsur Rahman/Nishshonggo Sherpa (1983)
* Shilpokolar Bimanikikoron O Onnanno Probondho (1988)
* Bhasha-Andolon:Shahittik Potobhumi (1990)
* Naari (1992) (banned between November 19,1995 and March 7,2000)
* Protikkriashilotar Dirgho Chayar Niche (1992)
* Nibir Nilima (1992)
* Matal Torony (1992)
* Norokay Anonto Hritu (1992)
* Jolpai Ronger Andhokar (1992)
* Shimaboddhotar Shutro (1993)
* Adhar O Adhayo (1993)
* Amar Abishshash (1997)
* Parbotto Chattagram:Shobuj Paharer Bhetor Diye Probahito Hingshar Jhornadhara (1997)
* Nirbachito Probondho (1999)
* Mohabishsho (2000)
* Ditio Lingo (originated from Simone The Bevour) (2001)
* Amra Ki Ai Bangladesh Cheyechilam (2003)
*Amar Notun Jonmo (2005)ISBN 984-401-839-0

Linguistics

* Pronominalization in Bengali (1983)
* Bangla Bhashar Shotrumitro (1983)
* Bakkototto (1994)
* Bangla Bhasha Vol.1 (1984)
* Bangla Bhasha Vol.2 (1985)
* Tulonamulok O Oitihashik Bhashabiggan (1988)
* Arthobiggan (1999)

Teenage Literature

* Lal Neel Dipaboli Ba Bangla Shahitter Jiboni
* Fuler Gondhe Ghum Ashena (1985)
* Koto Nodi Shorobor Ba Bangla Bhashar Jiboni (1987)ISBN 984-401-017-9
* Abbuke Mone Pore (1989)ISBN 984-401-555-3
* Bukpokete Jonakipoka (1993)
* Amader Shohoray Akdol Debdut ( 1996)
* Andhokaray Gondhoraj (2003)

Others

* Humayun Azader Probochonguccho (1992)
* Shakkhatkar (1994)
* Attotayider Shonge Kothopokothon (1995)
* Bohumatrik Jotirmoy (1997)
* Rabindranath Thakurer Prothom Kobita ( 1997)

External links

* [http://www.bangladeshinovels.com/Humayun_Azad.htm A Critique on His Novels]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2004/09/01/cover.htm Zaman, Mustafa and Hussain, Ahmede (1 September 2004) "Humayun Azad: A Truncated Life" "Star Weekend Magazine" 4(11): p.1, The Daily Star, Dhaka] also at [http://web.archive.org/web/20040907033325/http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2004/09/01/cover.htm Internet Archive] ;
* [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA130022004?open&of=ENG-BGD Amnesty International's statement on the assassination attempt on Dr. Humayun Azad] ;
* [http://www.bangladeshinovels.com/Humayun_Azad.pdf A Bangla-language Critique on Humayun Azad]
* [http://www.mukto-mona.com/Articles/humayun_azad/Dharmanubhutir_Upakatha.pdf Dharmanubhutir Upakatha (A tale of religious sensitivity) - A Bangla article of Dr. Humayun Azad]