With prayers for a quick recovery of litterateur Humayun Ahmed, the 63rd birth anniversary of the celebrated writer was observed in and outside of the country yesterday. The iconic writer-dramatist-filmmaker is now in New York for his colon cancer treatment, celebrated his 63rd birth anniversary amidst his friends and family in the USA. To mark ... Read more
Art & Culture
Bipasha Hayat’s solo painting exhibition begins today
Popular TV actress Bipasha Hayat’s 10-day solo painting exhibition titled ‘The Journey Within’ will begin today at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in the city’s Dhanmondi area. Bipasha’s father noted TV actor and director Abul Hayat will inaugurate the exhibition as chief guest, while renowned artist Rafiqun Nabi and art critic Dr Syed Manzoorul ... Read more
Lalon will regale Italians
Italy will be introduced to the works and philosophy of the mystic bard Lalon Fakir when a three-day festival featuring films on him, made by acclaimed director Tanvir Mokammel, and a seminar are held in Rome, from October 14. Mokammel told The Daily Star that his feature film “Lalon” and documentary “Achin Pakhi” will be ... Read more
Varied uses of a flute
The innovative Rethey Tudu Rethey Tudu, an octogenarian Santal of Dinajpur, has developed a new technique to put his six-holed bamboo stick to good use. The invention is now an inseparable part of his life — as a flute, a walking stick and more. “Sometime I use the stick for hunting too,” asserts the elderly ... Read more
Sitar Bonobash attracts viewers
The play “Sitar Bonobash” was staged recently at the Maulana Bhashani Auditorium in Sirajganj and attracted a good number of viewers. The play, based on an episode from the epic “Ramayan”, has been produced by the local troupe Mrittika Natyashala. Renowned dramatist, Mannan Hira, president of Bangaldesh Pathonatak Parishad, attended the first show as chief ... Read more
Architecture: Bangladesh Perspective
Architecture of any country reflects the picture of culture, past and present of that area. Architecture of Bangladesh refers to the architectural attributes and styles of the country. Basically architecture of Bangladesh refers to the architectural attributes and styles of the country. The architecture of Bangladesh has a long history and is rooted in Bangladesh’s ... Read more
Monipuri Theatre celebrates 15th founding anniv
Manipuri Theatre celebrated its 15th anniversary with a performance of traditional Manipuri Natapala and the troupe’s recent production “Kohe Birangana”. The event was held on September 23 at the Experimental Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. Seasoned actor-director Mamunur Rashid was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. He lauded the
Bimanesh Chandra’s watercolour exhibition at Bengal Gallery
Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in Dhanmondi has organised a solo watercolour exhibition titled “Rural Nature” featuring the works of Bimanesh Chandra Biswas. At the exhibition, most of his artworks have been done in watercolour where he captures the simplicity of rural Bengal and its varied aspects. The painter finds tranquillity and harmony in nature ... Read more
Tagore Stories on Films
A retrospective screening of the film adaptations of Rabindranath Tagore’s works will be held at the Main Auditorium, National Museum in Dhaka, from September 23, says a press release. Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Dhaka will arrange the screening that will continue till September 26. The screening is part of the
Abir Abdullah’s photo exhibition opens today
Noted photographer Abir Abdullah’s three-day photo exhibition, titled “Plight of the Waterlogged People”, begins today at Drik Gallery, Dhanmondi in Dhaka. Abdullah has been efficiently capturing the social, political and economic impacts of the rivers through his black and white as well as colour photographs. In recent times, Abdullah was assigned by Oxfam’s project, Campaign ... Read more
Metamorphosis of a boi para
Much of contemporary literary and critical theory is dominated by French philosophers. To draw a reason why the French have the upper hand in critical thinking and philosophy, Jim Powell, in his book on postmodernism, jokingly wrote that for decades, French intellectuals — mostly regarded as national treasures and celebrities — sat at cafes, placed ... Read more
Interpreting rain and autumn leaves through dance
Two-day programme at Shilpakala Academy Marking the landmark visit of Indian premier Dr. Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh, Indira Gandhi Culture Centre, High Commission of India, Dhaka, arranged a two-day (September 6-7) programme at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. Noted Indian singer Jayati Ghosh performed Rabindra Sangeet on September 6, while ... Read more
Timeless Nazrul songs on Eid, Ramadan
Eid festival traditionally begins with the popular Nazrul song O mor ramjan-er oi rojar sheshe elo khushir Eid. As soon as the moon of the Shawal month of the Arabic calendar comes to sight, the radio and TV channels play this timeless Nazrul song written by national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, carrying the message of ... Read more
Shamsudohha’s powerful visions
Profile Shamsudohha’s powerful visions Bengal’s scenic beauty, bucolic panoramic view, riverine life, metropolis, daily life in Old Dhaka, ravages of flood, working class people and more have long been remarkably depicted by the avant-garde painter Ahmed Shamsudohha. The artist portrays the moving sights around him. A socially conscious artist, Shamsudohha paints people, capturing the diverse ... Read more
Shahidul’s fascinating craft
Shahidul Islam Mollah’s handicrafts made of tender leaves add aesthetic appeal to even the most sophisticated living room. Mollah recently attracted a huge crowd to Durgabari Road in the town where he was adroitly making such handicrafts using palm leaves. Shahidul, 32, began to learn this craft as a boy and has been in this ... Read more
Mysticism unbound
In conversation with Birohi Kala Mia Fifty-one year old Baul singer Birohi Kala Mia was born in Sunamganj. His parents named him Md. Habibur Rahman. Kala Mia’s grandfather, the late Jaban Ali, was a mystic and father, late Fakir Mohammad Monohor Ali, was also a Baul singer and songwriter who performed with Baul Shah Abdul ... Read more
Fellow film activists recall Tareque Masud and Mishuk Munier
Federation of Film Societies of Bangladesh in association with Bangladesh Short Film Forum and Bangladesh Documentary Council arranged a daylong memorial programme on August 20 for the recently deceased filmmaker Tareque Masud and cinematographer-journalist Mishuk Munier. The programme was held at the Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Central Public Library in Dhaka. Screening of Masud’s films
Anup Bhattacharya: Many-in-One
Abid Anwar Instantly recognised as an exceptional Tagore singer, Anup Bhattacharya expanded his musical talent to emerge as an extraordinary composer of modern and Baul songs, with many pieces sung by the composer himself. Those who are exposed to Anup’s tonality in Nazrul songs will readily recognise him with the popular phrase ‘many-in-one’. “Boishakhi Megher ... Read more
Selim Al Deen’s three plays staged
On the closing day of the Selim Al Deen Janmautsab 2011, a two-day theatre festival to celebrate the 62nd birth anniversary of theatre icon Selim Al Deen, three plays were staged at three auditoriums of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on 19 August. Dhaka Theatre brought its production Dhaboman on the stage of National Theatre Hall ... Read more
Remembering an icon
Two-day Selim Al Deen birth anniversary celebration ends Dhaka Theatre along with Bangladesh Gram Theatre, Swapnadal and Desh Bangla Theatre arranged a two-day programme to celebrate the 62nd birth anniversary of theatre icon Selim Al Deen. The programme began on August 18 at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). It included staging of plays, exhibition and ... Read more