Humayun Ahmed’s ‘Kothao Keu Nei’ touched my heart: Jewel Aich

Popular magician Jewel Aich shared an intimate bond with celebrated writer-filmmaker Humayun Ahmed for decades. The author enjoyed his magic tricks while the magician enjoyed his fictions.

In a candid chat with The Daily Star, Jewel Aich shares his memories of Humayun Ahmed on the occasion of his birthday.

"We both preferred the same cuisine, healthy but tasty food cooked in low oil," says Aich. "Sharing our bitter-sweet experiences over lunch and dinner tables was something we both thoroughly enjoyed."

Aich still remembers the day when he visited the writer before he departed from Dhaka for the US. It's his jolly persona that Aich misses the most.

 "He started making witty and humourous remarks as we spoke and I was left speechless looking at how strong he was mentally despite being diagnosed with cancer," he shares. "He pulled me towards the dining hall and insisted that we share the meal and we had a great time, just like the old days."

After the meal, his wife Meher Afroz Shaon came to us with a painting by Humayun Ahmed which left Aich awestruck. "Grey clouds peeping through white ones and boats floating seamlessly on the bosom of a calm river – what a serene display," mentions Jewel Aich.

"It seemed as if the picture was narrating his thoughts of leaving the earthly pleasures and never returning. I started feeling disoriented as sorrow took over me. He noticed it and again started cracking jokes, diverting my mind from such gloomy thoughts," he adds.

Humayun Ahmed returned to his home ground after his treatment in USA. Soon afterwards, the duo reunited for a dinner at Ahsan Habib's residence in Mirpur.

"He called me in quiet place by a well. With teary eyes he said – I wish even my worst enemy never gets infected by this disease. He also said how could not tolerate this pain anymore," recalls an emotional Jewel Aich.

Jewel Aich recalled how the renowned author had a hard time controlling his anger.

"Let me give you an example of how easily he would lose his temper. Back then, he used to live in the quarter of Shahidullah Hall and was the professor of Dhaka University. I went to his home and both of us did not eat in the afternoon," mentions the magician.

"Upon seeing him that day I told him about an incident and he became furious about that. He immediately put on his shirt and pants and went straight for the car. Inside the car, he started to pull his hair and started ripping off the button of his shirt. I started to panic and I told him to stop. He told me that it was the only way he could resolve his anger," adds Jewel.

I immediately started to panic. And he told me that pulling his hair was the only way he could resolve his anger," adds Jewel.

After that both of them went straight to Nawazish Ali Khan's room in BTV and Humayun Ahmed confronted the renowned director.

"Nawazish bhai, Jewel is a magician, his job is to perform magic tricks on stage, why are you making him do hosting in a programme?", mentions the noted artiste.

Nawazish Ali Khan understood the whole situation and told us to calm down.

Later on, Nawazish Ali Khan came up with a solution that the programme will be called "Anandamela- Magic World of Jewel Aich " with we were finally able to calm him down," mentions Jewel.

Humayun Ahmed was a wonderful person to chat all day long. It would take me ages to recollect all the conversation I had with the great artiste.

"We used to have addas at his home 'Dhokhin Hawa', and he would target a specific person whom he could make fun off. However, he never used to target me and at the end of our conversation, we used to enjoy delicious meals, "mentions Jewel.

Humayun Ahmed and the magician knew each other for along time and till the renowned author's last breath, both of them shared a wonderful relation with one another.

"I have a huge amount of admiration and respect for Humayun Ahmed's work let it be television, movies or novels," mentions the magician.

Humayun Ahmed used to tell everyone proudly that he was inspired by Jewel Aich to venture into the world of film-making.

"I have read each and every novel written by him. Sometimes I would read his novel twice as well. His first 3 books were my favourite and they are "Nondito Noroke", "Shonkhonil Karagar" and "Tomader Jonno Valobasha," mentions Jewel Aich.

The renowned magician is also a huge fan of Humayun Ahmed's serials.

"I really love all of his serials but my favourite one has got to be "Kothao Keu Nei". Baker bhai's character really touched my heart," concludes the magician.