Ahsan Habib earned acclaims as a poet in the 1940s. He was an urban poet through and through — both in terms of language and sensibility. His poems reflect the social reality of his times, relationships, and focus on the concerns of the middle class. He was born on February 2 in 1917 in the ... Read more
Art & Culture
Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah: Exploring the roots of Language
Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah was an internationally renowned educationist, writer and philologist. He was born in the village Peyara, Chobbish Pargana, West Bengal (now in India). Yesterday (July 10) marked the 126th birth anniversary of the linguist. Shaidullah passed his school finals (known as Entrance examination at that time) in 1904 from
Upholding a traditional art form
Abdul Kuddus is an artiste who popularised the traditional theatre form of the greater Mymensigh region known as palagaan by staging the art form. Being invited by Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation in November 1988, Abdul Kuddus staged “Feroz Khan Dewan and Moriom Bibir Pala”, based on a true story of Jangalbari, Kishoreganj, at the Mahila Samity ... Read more
15 countries take part in kite exhibition
Kites from more than 15 countries were on display at the ‘Prime Bank Asian Kite Exhibition 2011’ that began at Nalinikanta Bhattashali Gallery of National Museum on Saturday. Cultural affairs state minister Promad Mankin inaugurated the two-day kite exhibition organised by socio-cultural organisation Dhakabasi, said a press release
Eminent artist Aminul Islam passes away
Eminent artist Aminul Islam died of old age complications as well prostrate-gland cancer in the city on early morning on Friday. He was 80. A former director of the Institute of Fine Arts (now Faculty of Fine Arts) of Dhaka University, Aminul Islam breathed his last at his Gulshan-2 residence at around 4am. ‘He was then ... Read more
An attempt to see contemporary art as artefact
Ashim Halder Sagor’s solo Raku exhibition A solo Raku exhibition, titled “Contemporary Artefacts”, is on at the Zainul Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts (FFA), University of Dhaka. The exhibition features works of artist Ashim Halder Sagor. This is Sagor’s 2nd solo Raku exhibition. Art connoisseur and secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mijarul Quayes inaugurated the ... Read more
Bengal Tigers, in Indigenous Avatar
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
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