Tribute
The Painted Veil
Those living call it life. Life, a bouquet of enigmatic questions. Life, the veil of red, yellow and blue, churning out hues galore. Questions, questions and questions. Come to think of it. When did the days of oneness, closeness, trust and trivial disagreements end? Where to hide the shock of humiliation, of rejection and the pain of a parting which only death was to provide? How to answer the children and the family, how to confront society, the questioning ensemble of lifted fingers? Where did things go wrong and start going downhill? Was it fate? Was it single-handedly so strong that could, in a flash, destroy a nest so neatly prepared and rip the non-biological tie of matrimony?
I do not know you. I have never seen you, but imagination says you have grace and sense of proportion. I will not write your name. There was only one pen which once sealed the books with genuine feelings. This name will go down in posterity along with his writings. Humayun Ahmed can never be parted from you even if he wants to. I do not in any way want to hurt you. I know nothing of your personal attitude. This tribute to you is based on thoughts and feelings conjured in my mind, plus some facts gathered from friends.
In this era of loose talk you have common sense. You know when to be away and not mess up matters, you also know when to enter and make your presence felt. It seems you also know how to be dignified and silent. As far as my knowledge goes, Syed Badrul Ahsan was the first person to mention you in his article, 'Pain and the remnants of love'. Even though you are a brave woman, your smouldering grief and anguish needed more sharing. Many people admire you, only that they are too shy to come forward say it to you.
There was a time when I had stopped reading Humayun Ahmed's new books or watch his new films. Maybe my expectations were too high for him, a mortal, to meet. There is a lot of his reading I have to catch up with now. May his soul rest in peace.
The children are the fruit of your patience and labour, a very mature set of siblings still needing your guidance.
Talk of a Cancer Hospital is in the air. Your whole hearted support is needed. Don't keep away. It will give you the much needed solace and also the chance to serve humanity.
Greatness cannot be confined to words, works and deeds alone. It has many manifestations. Mind as well as matter plays similar roles in achieving it. The choice of a definition is an absolutely individualized matter, so each to his own.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments