25 years of Humayun Ahmed’s Opekkha

Humayun Ahmed's Opekkha was introduced to the world in December 1997. In its 25th year, Afsar Brothers, the publishers of the book, published a special illustrated edition of Opekkha — one embellished with a dark-blue hue and many heartugging illustrations depicting the little world of the novel. 

When we think about it, what else would be the colour of deep melancholy that Opekkha often inspires, instead of dark blue? 

"Opekkha" could be described as the act of waiting for someone or something. However, this "opekkha" is an anticipation, or perhaps a clutching hope, for someone's return. It is said in this book that opekkha — unlike other worldly things — is essential to live and to survive in this world. Whether it is for wealth, happiness, or simply, for someone, opekkha is a tonic, and a strength that keeps people going. After all, it is what kept Suraiya going when her husband suddenly stopped coming home one night, and it is what affects the lives of Emon and Shuprova because of that opekkha. 

The world of Opekkha is not one that inspires joy, considering that it contains stories about flawed people that replicate imperfect people around us. That is why, even when Opekkha is cruel, it is still loving. 

It is that love that shows up whenever Chhoto Chacha shows up with his boundless optimism and heart full of love for Emon. It is the same love that waits in the shadows as the solemn Boro Mama tries and fails to hide his affection for the littlest member of the family, Shuprova. It is how Suraiya, even at her darkest, tries to hold on to a connection with her lost husband, through imaginary conversations and recounting every single detail about him to her children. 

Where Opekkha is riddled with imperfect characters who neglect and abuse, it is still home to characters who show unprompted compassion to each other, and by extension, to the readers. It is simply love at its purest, in a family that is far from living its best life. That is what makes Opekkha so healing among its many narrative strifes and struggles. 

So, for Opekkha's 25th year in this world, it is important to discuss how it has impacted the readers (and this writer in particular). Opekkha is soulful and whenever it's not imparting hard lessons about the world within its words, it is trying to mend what it broke with stories about humans who are kind, even when they were endlessly cruel before. 

That is why Suraiya is an abusive mother to Emon and Shuprova, yet a compassionate neighbourhood aunt to Munni. Similarly, Boro Mama, who was forever an absent father to Mitu, is an endlessly doting uncle to Shuprova. It is a lesson that people are perhaps more capable of compassion than we give them credit for. 

So, I'm ending this homage to Opekkha by paying homage to those people in our life that try to love, even after years of failures. It is for people that keep a fridge full of coca-cola in their office for us and for people in our life that make a cup of tea at midnight, and finally, it is for people that keep on waiting for us.

Raya Mehnaz likes to live life dangerously — one House MD episode at a time. Send help at fb.com/raya.mehnaz