Unmad
Encyclopedia
"UNmad" is a Bangladesh
i humor magazine, which was founded by Ishtiaq Hossain and Kazi Khalid Ashraf
in 1978. "UNmad" is a Bengali
word, which means 'paranoid', or, 'mad'. Although "UNmad" does not have any direct relation with the popular American Satire
magazine "Mad
", it mimics several key elements of its format and features from that magazine and is often referred to as the "Mad Magazine of Bangladesh" by "Unmad"'s fan.
in 1978. Offering a new media of entertainment through satire cartoons and humor,
the magazine soon received attention of many people. However, the magazine became
extremely popular during mid 1980s, when cartoonist/satirist, Ahsan Habib (cartoonist)
took the charge of editor of the magazine. Relying heavily on the funny aspects social life
and showbiz arenas (mainly on local movies) of mid/late 1980s, Ahsan Habib (along with some talented cartoonists and satire columnists) produced satire cartoons one after another. They soon made "UNmad" an household name. During that time, "UNmad" became one of the best selling magazines in the country's history.
The writers are Kazi Taposh, Sajjad Kabir, Romen Rayhan, Asrar Masud, Obidul Gani Chandan, Anik Khan, Hasan Khurshid Rumi, Bappi, Mokarrom Hussain. And the cartoonists Tariqul Islam Shantu, Tanvir Ibne Kamal, Iqbal Hossain Shanu, Zaved Hossain, Farid, Mehedi Haque, Munir, MD Tarik Saifullah, Tanmoy, Nasrin sultana mitu, Polash, Minar, Shikha and Shahriar Sharif. They joined with Ahsan Habib to ensure enough content for monthly publication of UNmad.
UNmad is currently the only 'Cartoon' Magazine in Bangladesh. It is a non political magazine in nature. The focus of the magazine is mostly on day to day social issues. However, the most popular segment is its UNmad in News Reporting. In this segment, Unmad is a character who goes to different places for reporting, revealing sarcastic situations.
Center page cartoon is another popular segment, where many funny situations are illustrated in the center of the magazine. The last page folding, is another attraction for the readers where one cartoon comes out with different meanings, after folding the page.
Cinema or Drama satire is also a hugely admired segment. The English
TV shows The Six Million Dollar Man
, The Dallas, The A Team, as well as the Bengali shows, Shangshaptaq, Bohubrihi
, Ain Adalot and Ayomoy
are the most well-liked ones. The Bengali Movie known as ‘Shareng Bou’ has been dubbed the best movie satire ever published in UNmad.
UNmad is not only a Cartoon Magazine, it has become an institute. Over the last 30 years, the magazine helped the cartoon and cartoonist to establish in Bangladesh. Most of the cartoonists in Bangladesh (working in different daily magazines) are grateful to UNmad and Ahsan Habib for giving them the opportunity to publish its first cartoon in print media. Besides cartoons, rime writings and witty writings are also patronized by UNmad. UNmad has organized a number of Cartoon Exhibitions in Dhaka
and Chittagong
in participation of cartoonists from all around the country. UNmad is also encouraging young cartoonists by giving cartoonist of the year awards regularly. Cartoonists of UNmad are participating international cartoon competitions and winning prizes, bring honor to the country.
UNmad has also popular by products, such as stickers, T-shirt, mugs, key rings and other small gift items. These popular items are available exclusively in Ekushey Boi Mella stalls and its own outlet in Dhaka. All the by-products represent the UNmad logo or its face.
It recently opens cartoon course.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
i humor magazine, which was founded by Ishtiaq Hossain and Kazi Khalid Ashraf
Kazi Khalid Ashraf
Kazi Khalid Ashraf is a Bangladeshi architect and architectural theorist. He is currently an associate professor of architecture at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He completed his graduation from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, BUET, and post-graduation from MIT, and...
in 1978. "UNmad" is a Bengali
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
word, which means 'paranoid', or, 'mad'. Although "UNmad" does not have any direct relation with the popular American Satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
magazine "Mad
Mad (magazine)
Mad is an American humor magazine founded by editor Harvey Kurtzman and publisher William Gaines in 1952. Launched as a comic book before it became a magazine, it was widely imitated and influential, impacting not only satirical media but the entire cultural landscape of the 20th century.The last...
", it mimics several key elements of its format and features from that magazine and is often referred to as the "Mad Magazine of Bangladesh" by "Unmad"'s fan.
History of Unmad
UNmad was originally founded by two friends named Ishtiaq Hossain and Kazi Khalid AshrafKazi Khalid Ashraf
Kazi Khalid Ashraf is a Bangladeshi architect and architectural theorist. He is currently an associate professor of architecture at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He completed his graduation from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, BUET, and post-graduation from MIT, and...
in 1978. Offering a new media of entertainment through satire cartoons and humor,
the magazine soon received attention of many people. However, the magazine became
extremely popular during mid 1980s, when cartoonist/satirist, Ahsan Habib (cartoonist)
Ahsan Habib (cartoonist)
Ahsan Habib is a Bangladeshi cartoonist, writer and editor of Unmad, the popular satire magazine.-Family:Ahsan is the third son of Foyezur Rahman and Ayesha Foyez. His father, a police officer, was killed by the Pakistani army during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Elder brother Humayun...
took the charge of editor of the magazine. Relying heavily on the funny aspects social life
and showbiz arenas (mainly on local movies) of mid/late 1980s, Ahsan Habib (along with some talented cartoonists and satire columnists) produced satire cartoons one after another. They soon made "UNmad" an household name. During that time, "UNmad" became one of the best selling magazines in the country's history.
The writers are Kazi Taposh, Sajjad Kabir, Romen Rayhan, Asrar Masud, Obidul Gani Chandan, Anik Khan, Hasan Khurshid Rumi, Bappi, Mokarrom Hussain. And the cartoonists Tariqul Islam Shantu, Tanvir Ibne Kamal, Iqbal Hossain Shanu, Zaved Hossain, Farid, Mehedi Haque, Munir, MD Tarik Saifullah, Tanmoy, Nasrin sultana mitu, Polash, Minar, Shikha and Shahriar Sharif. They joined with Ahsan Habib to ensure enough content for monthly publication of UNmad.
UNmad is currently the only 'Cartoon' Magazine in Bangladesh. It is a non political magazine in nature. The focus of the magazine is mostly on day to day social issues. However, the most popular segment is its UNmad in News Reporting. In this segment, Unmad is a character who goes to different places for reporting, revealing sarcastic situations.
Center page cartoon is another popular segment, where many funny situations are illustrated in the center of the magazine. The last page folding, is another attraction for the readers where one cartoon comes out with different meanings, after folding the page.
Cinema or Drama satire is also a hugely admired segment. The English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
TV shows The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man
The Six Million Dollar Man is an American television series about a former astronaut with bionic implants working for the OSI...
, The Dallas, The A Team, as well as the Bengali shows, Shangshaptaq, Bohubrihi
Bohubrihi
Bohubrihi was one of the most popular drama serials ever aired on Bangladesh Television. The story was written by Humayun Ahmed. He also wrote a book with the same title...
, Ain Adalot and Ayomoy
Ayomoy
Translated as "The man who would not die", Ayomoy was a popular Bangladeshi TV serial, written by Humayun Ahmed and originally aired on Bangladesh television. Blending fact with fiction it is set in the period of British raj, the story centres around a declining Bengali zamindar family ....
are the most well-liked ones. The Bengali Movie known as ‘Shareng Bou’ has been dubbed the best movie satire ever published in UNmad.
UNmad is not only a Cartoon Magazine, it has become an institute. Over the last 30 years, the magazine helped the cartoon and cartoonist to establish in Bangladesh. Most of the cartoonists in Bangladesh (working in different daily magazines) are grateful to UNmad and Ahsan Habib for giving them the opportunity to publish its first cartoon in print media. Besides cartoons, rime writings and witty writings are also patronized by UNmad. UNmad has organized a number of Cartoon Exhibitions in Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
and Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
in participation of cartoonists from all around the country. UNmad is also encouraging young cartoonists by giving cartoonist of the year awards regularly. Cartoonists of UNmad are participating international cartoon competitions and winning prizes, bring honor to the country.
UNmad has also popular by products, such as stickers, T-shirt, mugs, key rings and other small gift items. These popular items are available exclusively in Ekushey Boi Mella stalls and its own outlet in Dhaka. All the by-products represent the UNmad logo or its face.
It recently opens cartoon course.