Humayun Azad
Encyclopedia
Humayun Azad (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.
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 agnostic. He openly criticized in his works religious extremism, as well as Islam
, the major religion in Bangladesh.
Professor 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 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 acclaimed Bengali writers including Rabindranath Tagore
. The work, critical of the patriarchal and male-chauvinistic attitude of religion towards women, attracted negative reaction from the conservatives. 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.
On February 27, 2004, he became the victim of a vicious assassination
attempt by assailants near the campus of the University of Dhaka
during Bangla Academy
book fair. A week prior to Dr Azad's assault, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, one of the renowned religious leaders of Bangladesh demanded, in the parliament, that Dr Azad's political satire Pak Sar Jamin Sad Bad be banned and demanded the introduction of the Blasphemy Act on the author.
Even though in 2006 the commander of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) admitted to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) interrogators that his operatives carried out the attacks on writer Humayun Azad and another teacher of Rajshahi University in 2004, the official position of Azad's attempt of assassination is still 'unidentified'.
, 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 put in his grave in Rarhikhal, his rural homeland.
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. Azad's writings indicate his distaste for corrupted politicians, abusive military rules and the fundamentalist Islam.
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.
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, 28 April 1947 - Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, 11 August 2004) was a prolific Bangladeshi
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
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 DhakaUniversity of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka is the oldest university in Bangladesh. It is a multi-disciplinary research university and is among the top universities in the region. Established on July 21, 1921, as per the Government of India Act, 1920, it was modelled on the Universities in England and soon gained...
in Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
language and literature, Humayun Azad, in 1976, obtained his PhD in linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
from the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. He later served as a teacher of Bengali Language and literature at the University of Dhaka
University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka is the oldest university in Bangladesh. It is a multi-disciplinary research university and is among the top universities in the region. Established on July 21, 1921, as per the Government of India Act, 1920, it was modelled on the Universities in England and soon gained...
and in his early career produced pioneering works on Bangla linguistics, notably Bengali syntax
Syntax
In linguistics, syntax is the study of the principles and rules for constructing phrases and sentences in natural languages....
. 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 agnostic. He openly criticized in his works religious extremism, as well as Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, the major religion in Bangladesh.
Professor 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
The Second Sex
The Second Sex is one of the best-known works of the French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir. It is a work on the treatment of women throughout history and often regarded as a major work of feminist literature and the starting point of second-wave feminism. Beauvoir researched and wrote the book...
by Simone de Beauvoir
Simone de Beauvoir
Simone-Ernestine-Lucie-Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir, often shortened to Simone de Beauvoir , was a French existentialist philosopher, public intellectual, and social theorist. She wrote novels, essays, biographies, an autobiography in several volumes, and monographs on philosophy, politics, and...
in contents and ideas, Naari became a best-seller and earned Humayun Azad popularity as an author. In this work 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 acclaimed Bengali writers including Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
. The work, critical of the patriarchal and male-chauvinistic attitude of religion towards women, attracted negative reaction from the conservatives. 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
Azad had been fearing for his life ever since excerpts of his new novel, Pak Sar Jamin Sad Bad (Pakistan's national anthem; Blessed be the Sacred Land) was first published in the Daily Ittefaq's Eid supplement in 2003. In that write-up he tried to expose the politics and ideology of Islamic fundamentalists of Bangladesh. After that book published he started receiving various threats from the fundamentalists. In an email to Mukto-mona, an independent website, where he was then a member, Azad wrote, "The Ittefaq published a novel by me named Pak Sar Zamin Shaad Baad in its Eid issue in December 3. It deals with the condition of Bangladesh for the last two years. Now the (religious) fundamentalists are bringing out regular processions against me, demanding exemplary punishment. The attached two files with this letter will help you understand",.On February 27, 2004, he became the victim of a vicious assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
attempt by assailants near the campus of the University of Dhaka
University of Dhaka
The University of Dhaka is the oldest university in Bangladesh. It is a multi-disciplinary research university and is among the top universities in the region. Established on July 21, 1921, as per the Government of India Act, 1920, it was modelled on the Universities in England and soon gained...
during Bangla Academy
Bangla Academy
Bangla Academy , established on 3 December 1955, is the national academy for promoting Bangla language in Bangladesh. The main office of the organization is located at the Burdwan House, once a part of the campus of the University of Dhaka, beside Suhrawardy Udyan.-History:The importance of...
book fair. A week prior to Dr Azad's assault, Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, one of the renowned religious leaders of Bangladesh demanded, in the parliament, that Dr Azad's political satire Pak Sar Jamin Sad Bad be banned and demanded the introduction of the Blasphemy Act on the author.
Even though in 2006 the commander of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) admitted to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) interrogators that his operatives carried out the attacks on writer Humayun Azad and another teacher of Rajshahi University in 2004, the official position of Azad's attempt of assassination is still 'unidentified'.
Death
On August 11, 2004, Professor Azad died in his apartment in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, where he had moved just a week prior to conducting research on the nineteenth century German romantic poet Heinrich Heine
Heinrich Heine
Christian Johann Heinrich Heine was one of the most significant German poets of the 19th century. He was also a journalist, essayist, and literary critic. He is best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of Lieder by composers such as Robert Schumann...
. His body was brought home and he was put in his grave 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. Azad's writings indicate his distaste for corrupted politicians, abusive military rules and the fundamentalist Islam.
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.
Quotations
- "Knowledge never springs from faith. It springs from doubt."
- "Nothing is more pleasurable than power."
- "Don't mention Taslima NasrinTaslima NasrinTaslima Nasrin is a Bengali Bangladeshi ex-doctor turned author who has been living in exile since 1994. From a modest literary profile in the late 1980s, she rose to global fame by the end of the 20th century owing to her feminist views and her criticism of Islam in particular and of religion in...
to me - I may contract syphilis." - "I didn't find more than five Bengalies, namely, Professor Abdur RazzaqAbdur RazzaqAbdur Razzak is a Bangladeshi cricketer. He made his first-class debut at Bangladeshi domestic level for Khulna Division in the 2001/02 season. Best known for being a tall left-arm orthodox spin bowler, he helped guide his division to the National Cricket Title in his maiden season...
, Ahmad Sharif, Shawkat Osman, poet Shamsur RahmanShamsur RahmanShamsur Rahman was a Bangladeshi poet, columnist and journalist. Rahman, who emerged in the latter half of the 20th century, wrote more than sixty books of poetry and is considered a key figure in Bengali literature. He was regarded the unofficial poet laureate of Bangladesh...
and painter Quamrul HassanQuamrul HassanQuamrul Hassan was a Bangladeshi artist. Hassan was born in Kolkata, India. In Bangladesh, Hassan's fame as an artist is perhaps only second to that of Zainul Abedin. Hassan is often referred to in Bangladesh as Potua, a word usually associated with folk artists, due to his down to earth style...
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 ErshadErshadErshad is the transliteration of an Arabic given name meaning "universal guidance". Ershad also means "recite" in Urdu language.Popular people named Ershad include:*Hussain Muhammad Ershad is a former Army General, and a former president of Bangladesh...
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).
Poetry
- Aloukik Ishtimar (অলৌকিক ইষ্টিমার) (1973)
- Jolo Chitabagh (জ্বলো চিতাবাঘ) (1980)
- Shob Kichu Noshtoder Odhikare Jabe (সব কিছু নষ্টদের অধিকারে যাবে) (1985)
- Jotoi Gobhire Jai Modhu Jotoi Uporay Jai Neel (যতোই গভীরে যাই মধু যতোই ওপরে যাই নীল) (1987)
- Ami Bachay Chilam Onnoder Shomoy (আমি বেঁচেছিলাম অন্যদের সময়ে) (1990)
- Humayun Azader Shreshtho Kobita (হুমায়ূন আজাদের শ্রেষ্ঠ কবিতা) (1993)
- Adhunik Bangla Kobita (আধুনিক বাংলা কবিতা) (1994)
- Kafone Mora Osrubindu (কাফনে মোড়া অশ্রুবিন্দু) (1998)
- Kabya Shonggroho (কাব্য সংগ্রহ) (1998)
- Chosha boi (1999)
Fictions
- Chappanno Hazar Borgomile (1994) 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)
- Our Beautiful Bangladesh(2004)
External links
- humayun azad Books in internet
- humayun-azad Books
- A Critique on His Novels
- 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 Internet Archive;
- Amnesty International's statement on the assassination attempt on Dr. Humayun Azad;
- A Bangla-language Critique on Humayun Azad
- Dharmanubhutir Upakatha (A tale of religious sensitivity) - A Bangla article of Dr. Humayun Azad
- Books by Humayun Azad