Humayun Azad was a prolific author, poet, scholar and linguist. He wrote more than seventy titles. He is regarded and honored as the most powerful and influential writer in the history of modern Bengali literature. His writings against religious fundamentalism received both positive and negative reviews. He was threatened and attacked by Islamist fundamentalist groups for his writings. He was awarded the Bangla Academy Award in 1986 for his contributions to Bengali linguistics. In 2012, the Government of Bangladesh honored him with Ekushey Padak posthumously.
Azad was born in the village of Rarhikhal in Bikrampur, Munshiganj in1947. He earned BA degree in Bengali language and literature from University of Dhaka. He obtained his PhD in linguistics from the University of Edinburgh in 1976. He later served as a faculty member of the Department of Bengali Language and Literature at the University of Dhaka. His early career produced works on Bengali linguistics, notably syntax. He is regarded as a leading linguist of the Bengali language.
Towards the end of the 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 the 1990s, he established himself as a freethinker and appeared to be an agnostic. In his works, he openly criticised religious extremism, as well as Islam, the major religion in Bangladesh.
In 1992 Azad published the first comprehensive feminist book in Bengali titled Naari (Woman). Largely akin to The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir in contents and ideas, Naari received positive reviews as a literary work and earned 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 Azad won in the High Court of the country.
Azad's first book of poetry titled Aloukik Istimar and the book of essays Rabindra Probandha: Rashtra O Samajchinta were published in 1973. At that time, he concentrated on writing poetry alongside linguistic research. His second book of poetry Jvalo Chitabagh was published in 1983. His three books on linguistics were Bangla Bhashar Shatru-mitra, Pro-nominalisation in Bengali, Bakyatatva. His edited books: Bangla Bhasha, Adhunik Bangla Kavita, Muhammad Abdul Hye Rachanabali, Rabindranath Thakurer Prodhan Kavita. His two books on linguistic science: Tulonamulak O Autihasik Bhashabijnan and Arthabijnan.
Humayun Azad's command over literary criticism and his intellectual depth can be observed in the books: Shamsur Rahman/Nihshanga Sherpa, Bimanobikikaran O Onyanya Probandha, Bhasha Andolan: Sahityik Patabhumi, Naree, Narakey Ananta Ritu, Probachan Guchchha, Shimabaddhatar Sutra, Adhar O Adheya, Amar Abishvas, Nirbachita Probandha, Amra Ki Ei Bangladesh Cheyechhilam, etc.
Although he was influenced by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in language and style, his originality was undeniable. Side by side with expressing his own views, his novels described different frictions present in the society and culture of this region. They include: Chhappanna Hajar Bargamile, Sab Kichhu Bhenge Pare, Manush Hishebe Amar Aparadhsamuha, Jadukarer Mrityu, xhubhabrata, Tar Samparkita Susamachar, Rajneetibidgan, Kavi Athaba Dandita Apurush, Nijer Sange Nijer Jibaner Madhu, Fali Fali Kare Kata Chand, Srabaner Brishtite Raktajaba.
By writing some books on juvenile literature, he has demonstrated his extraordinary talent and intellect as a literary creator. These are characterised by inspirational language and include: Lal-Nil Dwipabali, Phuler Gandhey Ghum Ashey Na, Kato Nadi Sarobar, Abbuke Mone Pare, Bukpockete Jonakipoka, Amader Shahare Ekdal Deb-doot, Andhakare Gandharaj, etc. His poetic temperament was exposed in the following works of poetry: Jatoi Gobhire Jai Modhu Jatoi Upare Jai Neel, Ami Beche Chhilam Onyader Samoye, Kavya Sangraha, Kafoney Mora Ashrubindu.
August 12 marked the 13th death anniversary of the writer.
The writer is an essayist and literary critic.
