Legendary Bangla filmmaker, litterateur and freedom fighter Zahir Raihan was born on August 5, 1935 at Majupur in Feni, according to his younger sister Shahenshah Begum, however, most of the documents related to his birth anniversary state that Raihan was born on August 19, 1935. If the family source is taken for granted, today is the ... Read more
Art & Culture
World of solitude
Kibria Exhibition at Bengal Gallery To pay homage to the great artist Mohammad Kibria, Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts has organised a 15-day long special exhibition, titled “Tribute to Mohammad Kibria”. The exhibition is now on at Bengal Gallery in Dhanmondi. The exhibition comprises Kibria’s artworks from the collections of Matiur Rahman, editor of the ... Read more
Uttarayan’s ode to monsoon
Cultural programme at Shilpakala Academy Marking the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore and the first anniversary of music school Uttarayan, a cultural programme featuring Tagore’s monsoon- themed songs along with recitation was held at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on July 29. With the theme “Ebong Borsha”, the event also featured instrumental ... Read more
Aly Zaker—image of a theatre icon
Aly Zaker, a well-known theatre personality of the country, has presented himself as a versatile character in our cultural arena. He played an active role in the country’s Liberation War in 1971. He is also a trustee of the Liberation War Museum, a writer and the owner of Asiatic Marketing Communications Limited. Besides working as ... Read more
Of Art, Aesthetics and Shadhona
In conversation with Lubna Marium Lubna Marium — aesthete, danseuse, dance pioneer, teacher, choreographer and impresario is a pioneering figure in the contemporary South Asian cultural scenario. Daughter of illustrious parents Colonel Quazi Nooruzzaman and Professor Sultana Zaman, Lubna Marium has dedicated a lifetime to the promotion of culture, particularly dance and other performing arts. ... Read more
SM Sultan Utsab begins in Narail tomorrow
SM Sultan Utsab 2011, an event sponsored and supported by mobile phone operator Banglalink, will begin in Narail tomorrow. Sheikh Mohammed Sultan (1923-1994) was one of the legendary painters in Bangladesh. He won the Ekushey Padak in 1982, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad award in 1986 and the Independence Award
Life thru the lens
A group photography exhibition titled Reunion of Life organised by Envisio, the media and photography club of Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Jahangirnagar University, is being held at Drik Gallery of Dhanmondi in the city. Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar Rana, director of the Institute of Business Administration, Jahangirnagar University, inaugurated the event on 22 July. A ... Read more
Tapestry exhibition
Tapestry is a hand woven textile, which is used mainly as wall hanging. The late artist Rashid Chowdhury was the pioneer of this art form in this country. Chowdhury successfully introduced tapestry in various forms and shapes. His works are unparalleled in their subjects and unique quality. Artist Tajul Islam started out by assisting Chowdhury ... Read more
The ‘bookworm’ in full form
Abdullah Abu Sayeed turns 72 In addition to the rendition of songs by young members of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra’s study circle, Abdullah Abu Sayeed’s refreshingly witty and at times sarcastic remarks made the hot and humid evening of July 25 rather enjoyable. The event held at the new building of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra in Dhaka ... Read more
Portrait of a nature artist
Renowned artist Farida Zaman has obtained international recognition participating in biennales and international exhibitions and competitions in different Asian and European countries. Many prestigious galleries across the globe have collected her works and many internationally reputed journals have published write-ups on her. She has also written articles on art in different foreign magazines. In her ... Read more
Exhibition highlights Halda’s beauty and contribution
River Halda flows through the heartlands of Chittagong. It serves as a lifeline to millions living on her banks. An exhibition of photo and video presentation titled Halda: River of Mystery was inaugurated at the Berlin Hall of Goethe Institut in Dhanmondi at Dhaka on 20 July. Monjurul Kibria, Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, University ... Read more
Harmony of Nature
Solo painting exhibition at Gallery Impressions A solo painting exhibition featuring artworks by talented artist Abu Kalam Shamsuddin was inaugurated at Gallery Impressions, Gulshan, in the capital on July 17. The exhibition showcases 16 paintings titled as “Harmony of Nature” (1, 2, 3…16) by the artist. The artist has used mixed media (oil and acrylic). ... Read more
Music and Meditation
In conversation with Tapan Kanti Baidya “Dada” Tapan Kanti Baidya is a renowned classical music vocalist and an adept teacher — well recognised both at home and abroad. He is the only artiste from Bangladesh who performed at United Nations’ ECOSOC Hall, New York in 1998. The then UN Secretary General Kofi Anan, together with ... Read more
Folk singers don’t get due respect: Malay Kumar
Folk music is considered a golden treasure in Bangladesh, but it is the irony that the folk singers never get due recognition, which is growing apathy to many leading folk artistes, observe renowned folk singer Malay Kumar Ganguly, who is not interested to continue his musical career these days. According to him folk singers are ... Read more
Convergence of Tune and Rhythm
Dhaka Int’l Music Conference at National Museum Dhaka International Music Conference featuring classical music (both vocal and instrumental) performances by four Indian artistes — Sandip Chatterjee (santoor), Manali Bose (vocal), Amzad Hossain (sitar) and Sandip Bhattacharya (vocal) was held at the main auditorium of Bangladesh National Museum on July 15. Arranged by Web Entertainment Limited, Tabla ... Read more
Prachyanat School celebrates a decade
Shakespeare’s Tempest staged Prachyanat School of Acting and Design, the academic wing of the popular theatre troupe, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. To observe the occasion as well as to award certificates to the latest batch of students, the school arranged a programme at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, on July15. The ... Read more
The splendour of folk dance
“Nupur Bejey Jaye” at Chhayanaut Shadhona (Centre for Advancement of South Asian Culture) held the 9th instalment of their bi-monthly dance programme “Nupur Bejey Jaye” at the main auditorium of Chhayanaut in Dhanmondi, Dhaka on July14. Artistes from the troupes — Kalpotoru and Dhriti — also performed at the event. Under the title, “Banglar Nritya”, ... Read more
Three seasoned artists display their works at Basilio
Basilio, a newly opened art gallery in Dhaka, has organised a group art exhibition featuring the works of three painters — Farida Zaman, Ranjit Das and Maksudul Ahsan. Farida Zaman is the senior-most painter in the group. The artist is known for her paintings on riverine life in Bangladesh — highlighting the fishermen community. As a ... Read more
Tabla player Sukesh attains his goal
A talented musical instrumentalist achieves his goal through untiring effort and commitment: Sukesh is a good example of this. The 45-year-old tabla player said that in his younger days he was inspired by Khulna Betar (radio) artiste Hazari Lal Debnath and Probhat Banerjee. The fascination with music began when he completed his primary education in ... Read more
Abdullah Al Mamun’s 69th birth anniversary observed
Theatre icon remembered Abdullah Al Mamun’s 69th birth anniversary observed On his 69th birth anniversary, late theatre icon Abdullah Al Mamun was remembered by his troupe Theatre with a three-day celebration programme held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The programme was inaugurated on July 13 at the Studio Theatre Hall of the academy. The first day’s ... Read more