Nazir Hossain’s solo exhibition at Bengal Shilpalaya A weeklong solo painting exhibition, titled “Pater Gaan Banglar Bagh”, is on at Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts, Dhanmondi, in the capital. Director General of Bangla Academy, Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, inaugurated the exhibition on July 5. The exhibition features 62 works of self-taught artist Nazir Hossain. Craft researcher ... Read more
Art & Culture
A glimpse into the history of Dhaka University
Photo album by Syed Rezaur Rahman features rare images Dhaka University (DU) Day was first observed on January 8, 1983. It was an initiative of the then Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU). However, the day was not celebrated every following year. For example, after 1989, following the uprising that overthrew Ershad from power, the ... Read more
Jatra is in my veins: Aruna Biswas
“Jatra is the root of today’s flourishing contemporary theatre scene in Bangladesh. But, this age-old folk art form is not finding a place in our everyday entertainment list, and is losing its appeal day by day. To restore Jatra to its former glory days Jatra-aficionados like me have come forward. My production house, Jatravision is ... Read more
“Poets are wordsmiths” — Rupa Chakraborty
Renowned elocutionist Rupa Chakraborty has been away from limelight in the Bangladesh media. When I at last caught up with her, she was in Heidelberg, Germany. On her return to London we met at trendy restaurant, Kalapata, in White Chapel, London and had an interesting chat on Rupa’s recent involvement in the cultural front as ... Read more
Watercolour Exhibition at Shilpakala Academy
A group watercolour exhibition featuring works of 16 painters is now on at National Art Gallery Plaza, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). Noted painter Hashem Khan inaugurated the exhibition on June 30. Chittagong-based painter Monsur Ul Karim was present as special guest at the opening. Liaquat Ali Lucky, director general of BSA, presided over the inauguration. ... Read more
Homage to an icon
Nazrul Utshab 1418 at Chhayanaut For the third consecutive year, Chhayanaut arranged a two day-long Nazrul Utshab (festival) 1418 at its main auditorium on July 1. Artistes of Chhayanaut began the festival with a choral rendition of the song “Anjoli Laho Mor Sangeet-e” while a number of artistes, with mongolprodip, presented a lively dance to ... Read more
Shadow of artist Sultan
Jibon Monthon Shadow of artist Sultan A huge crowd rushing towards the centre where a red sun is beaming down its light, titled ‘Sukh surjer ashay’, the artwork done in acrylic by artist Balodeb Adhikary is among the 46 vibrant artworks currently being displayed at an exhibition titled Jibon monthon / Churning Life at the ... Read more
Cultural programme marking 156th Santal Revolutionary day
The 156th ‘Historic Santal Revolutionary Day’ was celebrated here in Dinajpur and its 13 upazilas with cultural programmes performed by the artistes of the community. Discussions were also organised highlighting the significance of this day. Colourful festival processions were brought out in various areas of Dinajpur. In Phulbari, a programme
Khurshid Alam Saleem’s solo exhibition in Berlin
New York based Bangladeshi painter Khurshid Alam Saleem’s 47th solo painting exhibition is now on at Galerie in Berlin. The exhibition began on June 24 and will continue till September 24, says a press release. As an abstract expressionist, Saleem concentrates on pure forms and compositions where deep red, emerald green, bright yellow, burning crimson ... Read more
Shaheed Munier Chowdhury Remembered
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy arranged a memorial programme in honour of Shaheed Munier Chowdhury on June 28. The programme was held at the Studio Theatre Hall of the academy. A discussion and staging of Munier Chowdhury’s play “Dando” were the highlights of the programme. Chowdhury’s student Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, and Professor Israfil Shaheen of Department of
Bankim Chandra: The First Prominent Bengali Novelist
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is considered one of the greatest novelists of the sub-continent. Bengali novel practically began with him. He is widely regarded as a key figure in literary renaissance of Bengal as well as undivided India. Some of his writings, including novels, essays and commentaries, were a breakaway from the traditional verse-oriented writings, and ... Read more
Laila Hasan to attend dance conference in Seoul
Seasoned Bangladeshi dancer Laila Hasan has been selected as a member of Asian Dance Committee, according to press release. Initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea, the committee is a platform for artistes representing the Asian states. President of Bangladesh Dancers’ Organisation, Laila Hasan, is attending Asian Dance Committee’s conference ... Read more
Kuddus – an icon of Bangla folk music
n the realm of folk music in Bangladesh, Abdul Kuddus Boyati is a name that needs no introduction. In popularising folk music, especially Palagaan, his contribution is yet to be surpassed by any. Through his organisation Bangla Folk Media, Kuddus, along with a bunch of young Bauls, has been
Gono Sangeet Utsab ends
With the performance of the song titled “Manusher majhe boshobash kori, manushe milechhe thai, manush aamar sujon swajan, manusher gaan gaai…..” by popular artiste Fakir Alamgir, the three-day Gono Sangeet Utsab (people’s song festival) ended recently. Performing another song titled “Bhoy ki morone………….,” written by Charon Kobi Mukunda Das, Fakir Alamgir marked the ending of ... Read more
Ethnic Cultural Festival at Shilpakala Academy
A Demonstration of Diversity Ethnic Cultural Festival at Shilpakala Academy The recent Ethnic Cultural Festival featured traditional dances and songs by a number of indigenous artistes at National Music and Dance Centre auditorium of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on June 26. Khudra Nri Goshthi Cell [for ethnic groups] of BSA arranged the festival. The festival ... Read more
National recitation festival begins
A weeklong “Jatiya Abritti Utsab” was inaugurated on Sunday at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital. Information and cultural affairs minister Abul Kalam Azad opened the festival organised by Bangladesh Abritti Samanway Parishad with the slogan “Jagrata Kara Uddata Kara Nirbhai Kara Hey”. The inauguration ceremony was
Nazrul: The wonder of 20th century literature
International Nazrul Conference ends in the capital While inaugurating the International Nazrul Conference at the Osmani Memorial Hall on June 24, chief guest of the programme Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged that Nazrul’s works be promoted globally. She also presented the Nazrul Award 2011 to National Professor Kabir Chowdhury and eminent singer Nilima Das for ... Read more
Exhibition of rare Tagore photographs at AFD
To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, Alliance Française de Dhaka, in association with the French embassy, has organised an exhibition featuring a collection of unpublished photographs of Tagore and Santiniketan. Titled Tagore, the Universal Message, the exhibition will be going on at the La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka ... Read more
Jatiya Natya Utsab ends Tribute paid to Tagore
National theatre festival titled ‘Jatiya Natya Utsab O Dui Banglar Natya Mela 2011’ ended by paying tributes to the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore’s two plays – Roktokorobi and Noshto Neer-were staged on Friday to mark the ending of the 15-day festival. Hundreds of audiences thronged to the theatre halls of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) ... Read more
Dhaka ushers in Monsoon
Cultural organisations celebrate first day of rainy season Of the Bengali seasons, monsoon has a special appeal. Yesterday was Pahela Ashadh (first day of the rainy season on the Bengali calendar). Though city dwellers have been experiencing occasional heavy shower over the last couple of weeks, with the official arrival of monsoon, summer was over. ... Read more