Ahsan Habib (born 15 November 1957, Sylhet, Bangladesh) is a Bangladeshi cartoonist, humorist, writer, and editor, best known as the long-time editor of Unmad, the country’s most influential satire magazine. A pioneer of Bangladeshi cartooning, Habib has played a central role in shaping the nation’s humor, satire, and comic culture for more than four decades.
His sharp wit, layered humor, and humanistic insight have made him an icon in South Asian satire — blending humor with social reflection, intellect with playfulness, and art with awareness.
Ahsan Habib — Infobox
| Full Name | Ahsan Habib (আহসান হাবীব) |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 November 1957 — Sylhet, Bangladesh |
| Age | 67 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Occupation | Cartoonist, Writer, Editor, Professor |
| Years Active | 1980 – present |
| Education | MSc in Geography, University of Dhaka |
| Known For | • Editor of Unmad, Bangladesh’s leading satire magazine • Promoting cartooning and humor writing in Bangladesh • Science fiction and humorous literature in Bengali |
| Major Publications | Unmad, Moulik, Autoline, Ghuddi |
| Genres / Themes | Satire, Humor, Social Commentary, Science Fiction |
| Notable Works | • Jokes Somogro • 999 Ta Jokes Ekta Fao • Likhte Likhte Lekhok • Paowel Broonskir Bichar • Abjab |
| Current Position | Professor, Department of Multimedia & Creative Technology (MCT), Daffodil International University |
| Spouse | Afroza Amin |
| Children | Shabnam Ahsan |
| Parents | • Father: Faizur Rahman Ahmed (martyred police officer, 1971) • Mother: Ayesha Foyez |
| Siblings | • Humayun Ahmed (writer & filmmaker) • Muhammad Zafar Iqbal (writer & academic) |
| Residence | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Languages | Bengali, English |
Early Life and Family Background
Ahsan Habib was born on 15 November 1957 in Sylhet, Bangladesh, to Faizur Rahman Ahmed and Ayesha Foyez (Faiz). His father was a police officer who was tragically killed by the Pakistani army in 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War, when Ahsan was just a teenager.
Habib grew up in a remarkably talented literary family. His elder brother, Humayun Ahmed, was Bangladesh’s most celebrated novelist and filmmaker, and another brother, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, is a renowned writer, physicist, and educationist. His sisters — Sufia Haider, Momtaz Shahid, and Rukhsana Ahmed — are also known for their social and literary contributions.
Due to his father’s official transfers, Habib’s childhood was nomadic — spent across Jagdal, Panchagarh, Rangamati, Bandarban, Chittagong, Bogra, Comilla, and Pirojpur. This exposure to diverse cultures and dialects profoundly shaped his worldview and humor.
Education
Habib attended more than eight schools before completing his Secondary School Certificate (SSC). He later earned a Master’s degree (MSc) in Geography from the University of Dhaka.
Despite his academic background in science and geography, his true passion always lay in literature, art, and satire, which eventually defined his lifelong career.
Career Beginnings and the Rise of Unmad
Ahsan Habib began his career as both a cartoonist and writer, emerging as part of a new wave of Bangladeshi creative voices in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Founding Unmad — Bangladesh’s Satirical Institution
He became the editor of Unmad, a humor and satire magazine launched in the early 1980s, which soon became a cultural phenomenon. The word “Unmad” (উন্মাদ) means “mad” or “crazy” — a fitting title for a magazine that dared to laugh at power, politics, and social absurdities.
Under Habib’s leadership, Unmad evolved into a national platform for cartoonists, humorists, and social commentators. The magazine’s irreverent tone, intelligent humor, and distinctive artwork drew comparisons to Mad Magazine in the U.S., while remaining deeply rooted in Bangladeshi life and politics.
Over the years, Unmad has featured hundreds of artists and writers, influencing generations of Bangladeshi readers and creators. Habib’s editorial approach emphasizes creativity, satire, and freedom of expression, even in politically sensitive times.
“This is a time of saturated information; but this information is not knowledge. The job of the cartoonist is to convert information into knowledge. The knowledge, then, has to be transformed into wisdom. Wisdom is what can be useful for society.”
— Ahsan Habib, Editor of Unmad
Contributions to Literature, Humor, and Science Fiction
Beyond cartooning, Ahsan Habib is a prolific writer whose works span genres — from humor and satire to essays, poetry, and science fiction.
Humor and Jokes Collections
He is best known for his witty, light-hearted books that have become staples of Bangladeshi pop culture:
- Jokes Somogro
- 999 Ta Jokes Ekta Fao
- 1001 Ta Jokes 1ta Missing
- Rat Barotar Porer Jokes
- Four Twenty Four Hour Jokes
- Valentine Jokes
- Big and Small Jokes
Satire and Non-Fiction
Habib has also penned works that explore humor, society, and writing itself:
- Abjab
- Likhte Likhte Lekhok (Writing While Becoming a Writer)
- Baba Jokhon Akkebare Coto (When Father Was Very Small)
- Eshkul Time (School Time)
- Office Time
- Jaha Bolibo Mittha Boilobo (Whatever I Say, I’ll Say a Lie)
Science Fiction
Ahsan Habib is among Bangladesh’s early science fiction writers, contributing to the genre’s growth in Bengali literature. His notable sci-fi work includes:
- Paowel Broonskir Bichar (The Judgment of Paowel Broonskir)
Through his blend of imagination and satire, Habib’s science fiction addresses ethical, social, and existential themes — often wrapped in humor and allegory.
Editor and Advocate for Cartoonists
Ahsan Habib has served as editor not only of Unmad, but also of Moulik, Autoline, and Ghuddi — Bengali science fiction and cultural magazines that nurtured creative experimentation in Bangladesh’s print culture.
He is also an adviser to the Bangladesh Cartoonist Association (BANCARAS), where he mentors young artists and advocates for the professional recognition of cartoonists. His influence extends across journalism, academia, and youth art communities.
Academic Role and Teaching
In 2015, Ahsan Habib joined Daffodil International University (DIU) as a professor in the Department of Multimedia and Creative Technology (MCT).
He teaches graphic storytelling, comics, and creative writing, combining theory and practice to train new generations of Bangladeshi visual artists. His approach to education mirrors his editorial philosophy — humor as a form of intelligence and resistance.
Personal Life
Ahsan Habib is married to Afroza Amin, and together they have one daughter, Shabnam Ahsan. Despite his fame, he is known for his modest lifestyle, gentle humor, and unassuming presence.
He remains closely connected to his literary family and has collaborated on projects celebrating the legacies of his late brother Humayun Ahmed and his living brother Muhammad Zafar Iqbal.
Legacy and Influence
Ahsan Habib’s contributions transcend cartooning — he has built a cultural bridge between satire and scholarship, humor and humanity. Through Unmad and his books, he transformed cartooning into a respected art form in Bangladesh, inspiring countless artists and thinkers.
Today, he stands as a symbol of creative freedom, using humor not merely to entertain, but to enlighten, challenge, and unite.
“Laughter can disarm the powerful and heal the powerless — that’s why satire matters.” — Ahsan Habib
