Renowned Bangladeshi writer and filmmaker Humayun Ahmed was laid to eternal rest at his beloved retreat in Nuhash Palli in Gazipur as rain poured down and thousands of fans, well-wishers, family and friends gathered to say their last goodbyes to one of the greatest and most captivating writers of Bangla literature.
The writer’s body is put into a refrigerated vehicle for transport (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
Humayun Ahmed’s widow, Meher Afroz Shaon (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Humayun Ahmed’s children Nuhash, Nova and Sheela with their aunt, Yasmeen Haque (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Humayun Ahmed’s brother Mohammed Zafar Iqbal in front of reporters (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
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His children wanted their father’s grave to be accessible to everyone, but after hours of discussion when Meher Afroz Shaon refused to let Humayun Ahmed’s body be buried anywhere but Nuhash Palli, they gave in to her decision just wanting their father to be finally put to rest.
Humayun Ahmed’s coffin is carried through the crowd. (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Thousands gathered to pay their last respects to Humayun Ahmed (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Humayun Ahmed’s son Nuhash cries on his father’s coffin (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Refrigerated vehicle carrying Humayun Ahmed’s body to Nuhash Palli (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
People gathered in Nuhash Palli to pay their last respects to Humayun Ahmed (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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Rain was his favorite and this was what poured from above as thousands stood for the namaz-e-janaza, the final prayer before his burial. He was carried by his son Nuhash and other relatives to his final resting place, under his favorite lichu tola or lychee orchard.
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Humayun Ahmed’s burial site in Nuhash Palli (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
People digging Humayun Ahmed’s grave in Nuhash Palli (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
People washing up in Nuhash Palli (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Humayun Ahmed’s coffin being carried by his son Nuhash and others (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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When his body first arrived in Dhaka it was taken to the Central Shaheed Minar, where thousands of fans from all over the country gathered to pay their respects and catch one last glimpse of a writer that captivated their minds and stole their hearts with his many books. His coffin was showered with flowers, a sign of love and respect from thousands.
His daughters and son were seen breaking down in front of his coffin, crying helplessly to see their father alive one last time. Ahmed’s death was especially hard for his children, who barely had any ties with him after his controversial marriage to Meher Afroz Shaon.
oks, almost all of them bestsellers at the Ekushey Book Fair. At a time when writers from West Bengal dominated Bangla literature, Ahmed made a name for himself with his distinct and simple literary style.
His son Nuhash and many of his male fans came to the Central Shaheed Minar wearing a yellow panjabi, just like Himu, one of his fictional characters. Many of his fans also said that they felt as if they were Himu or another one of his many fictional characters, once again proving how Ahmed truly touched people’s hearts and captivated their minds.
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Wrapped in white cloth, Humayun Ahmed’s body is lowered into his grave as his son and others receive it. (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Friends grieving for Humayun Ahmed (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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| Tahasin Ahmed / youthjournalism.org
Humayun Ahmed’s grave, decorated with flowers (Tahasin Ahmed/YJI)
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Ahmed’s death comes as a blow to the entire country. He may not be alive today, but the books that he left behind are jewels for us to experience and enjoy.
As one of the brightest and most talented citizens Bangladesh has ever seen, Ahmed leaves a legacy as a legendary writer and filmmaker. The heights he reached in Bangla literature will keep him alive among us for many years to come.
Mehran Shamit is a Reporter from Bangladesh with Youth Journalism International. Tahasin Ahmed is a Photographer from Bangladesh with Youth Journalism International.
Great photos!
‘Rain was his favorite and this was what poured from above as thousands stood for the namaz-e-janaza, the final prayer before his burial.’…that is so true :(…