Unmad can be considered the pioneer in Bangladeshi humour publications. Started by two friends -- Ishtiaq Hossain and Kazi Khaled Ashraf in 1978 -- the cartoon magazine soon drew attention for its intelligent satire. The magazine became extremely popular by the mid 1980s, when cartoonist Ahsan Habib took the charge of the magazine. Brother of Humayun Ahmed and Muhammad Zafar Iqbal -- two of the leading Bangladeshi writers -- Habib has carved a niche for himself in his own right.

Relying heavily on the laughable aspects of social issues and spoof of popular TV shows/films, Habib, along with fellow cartoonists and satire writers soon made Unmad a household name. Unmad became one of the best selling magazines.

The Daily Star caught up with Habib at the Unmad stall, at Ekushey Book Fair.

"Ekushey Book fair is a great occasion. For a month, it accommodates hundreds of publication houses, turning it into a treat for book lovers," says Habib

"All the major publication houses take special preparations targeting the fair, bringing out special editions, new publications and so on."

Unmad has also brought out a special compilation of its previous issues on the occasion.

"Every year during the fair we bring out a compilation of our back issues. This year's edition is a collection of our eight previous issues," the cartoonist says.

Apart from the special edition, Unmad is also offering hilarious posters, stickers and more, informs Habib.

At the stall, visitors will get a chance to meet their favourite Unmad cartoonists and writers, including Ahsan Habib.

About his plans involving Unmad, Habib says, "We have plans to bring out greeting cards on national festivals like 'Pahela Baishakh', 'Pahela 'Falgun' and more.”