In conversation with Dr. Samuel Berthet Director of Alliance Française de Chittagong (AFC) Dr. Samuel Berthet is a man of culture. Berthet’s childhood memories conjure up the diverse cultural atmosphere circling his scenic school Ecole du Lac (Pond) at Grenoble, France. “My school was an experimental one in a socially and culturally mixed area where ... Read more
Entertainment
Mega serial involving Bangladesh and West Bengal
A mega serial titled “Roshni”, an adaptation of the novel “Prem Jeno Ek” by Rupok Shah, featuring artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal (India) will be telecast simultaneously starting from August 6 on Channel i and ETV Bangla. The serial will be aired from Saturday to Wednesday at 5:10 pm. Harinath Chakravarti has made the ... Read more
“I don’t see any of my movies” — Victor Banerjee
Victor Banerjee may have wowed critics as a versatile actor but believe it or not he does not watch his movies as he “hates to look” at himself on screen. “I don’t see any of my movies,” Banerjee told media persons here on Sunday last. The two exceptions, he mentioned, were maestro Satyajit Ray’s “Gharey ... Read more
Nishimon Bisharjan goes to India
Mahakal Natyasampraday will tour West Bengal, India with its latest production “Nishimon Bisharjan”. An adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Bisharjan”, the play has been dramatised by Anon Zaman and directed by Ashik Rahman. The troupe will leave the country today, informed its chief Mir Zahid Hasan. During their weeklong stay, they will hold three shows. The ... Read more
Bhawaiya on verge of extinction
Eminent singer Ferdousi Rahman observes that bhawaiya, one of the most melodious music genres of the country, is under threat of extinction due to lack of patronisation and practice. In an interview with New Age Ferdausi Rahman, one of most popular bhawaiya singers the country has ever produced, revealed the present condition of the rich ... Read more
The unfamiliar that is all too familiar
Couple of days post Humayun Ahmed’s demise, BTV aired one of his plays. The play, “Nimphool”, was first aired in 1997. Set in a typical Bangladeshi village, the story begins with a mob approaching the home of the headman, ably played by Abul Hayat. A notorious bandit has been caught. The smart-mouthed outlaw, deftly played ... Read more
Six-day theatre fest begins tomorrow
Theatre troupe Swapnodal will pay tribute to Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, dramatist Selim Al Deen and Indian director Badal Sircar by organising a six-day theatre festival beginning tomorrow, informed the organisers at a press conference held on Monday at the seminar room of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The festival will mark
“Lux-Channel i Superstar” as a launching pad
In conversation with Rakhi A number of aspiring young actresses who were launched through the “Lux Channel i Superstar” talent hunt, are now busy in the media. These artistes have all the potential to carve out successful careers and may well dominate the media by dint of their talent and hard work. Rakhi is firmly ... Read more
Eid Delights: Innovative “Ittyadi”
A wholesome family-oriented TV show, “Ittyadi”, with innovative ideas, conveys social messages and generates awareness among the masses all with a dash of entertainment. Special episodes of “Ittyadi” during Eid bring up interesting choreography which adds to the extravaganza. The audience is usually treated to a variation in the dance presentation. In the upcoming Eid ... Read more
Most troupes are inactive
Secretary general of Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation (BGTF) Jhuna Chowdhury tells New Age that most of the theatre troupes are inactive across the country. According to Jhuna Chowdhury just over 100 out of over 300 members of the federation are active at present. ‘Just imagine about a hundred troupes are completely inactive and another 100 more
Ahmed Sofa: Voice of the underprivileged
July 28 marked the 11th death anniversary of Ahmed Sofa. On the occasion, writers, social and cultural activists placed wreaths at his grave at the Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard in Mirpur, Dhaka. A number of institutes and writers associations also organised discussions on his life and immense contribution to Bangla literature. Ahmed Sofa was one
Then and now
Afzal Hossain on the evolution of TV drama Afzal Hossain is the emblem of our country’s golden age of TV drama. Often regarded as the most successful actor on Bangladeshi TV, Afzal began acting as a member of Dhaka Theatre, when he was a student of the Institute of Fine Arts. He was a regular ... Read more
Sumaiya Shimu is on the go
Actor Sumaiya Shimu is constantly on the go, shooting for many Eid special TV plays. Currently, she is based in Kishoreganj for a single episode play titled “Fantasy Opera”, directed by Mahmud Didar. Shatabdi Wadud stars opposite her. “The story of ‘Fantasy Opera’ is quite interesting. Spectators will be thoroughly entertained by the play during ... Read more
Arannya Anwar: A committed director
Arannya Anwar carved a name in the media by writing and directing TV plays like “Jonok”, “Jonmo”, “Shopner Haat-e Hyena”, “Jubok Khun Hobar Por”, “Raat Pohabar Onek Deri” and “Darao”. However, his biggest success stories were the plays, “Nurul Huda Ekoda Bhalobeshechhilo” and “Otopor Nurul Nuda”. BTV aired both the plays directed by Anwar, where
Let there be a museum at Nuhash Polli
Abdul Matin Litterateur Humayun Ahmed was laid to eternal rest on Tuesday at his favourite retreat at Nuhash Polli in Gazipur even though most of his family members desired to bury him at Mirpur Intellectuals’ Graveyard. The family’s decision must have been taken in view the last wishes of Humayun Ahmed as expressed by his ... Read more
Afzal-Suborna pair up after a decade
The once popular TV actor duo — Afzal Hossain and Suborna Mustafa — are to pair up in a tele-film, titled “Prem Bachitey Janey”. Twelve years back, the actors appeared together in a single-episode TV play called “Shudhu Tomar Jonno”. Written by Faria Hossain and directed by Arif Khan, the tele-film will go on air ... Read more
Madhuri Dixit turns singer
Give Madhuri Dixit Nene a dance floor, and we all know what she is capable of. An entire generation of filmgoers grew up seeing Madhuri dance in movies like Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Devdas (2002) and Aaja Nach Le (2007). But now, the versatile actor is all set to do something new — Season Five ... Read more
Moushumi Nag
Busy actress Several TV serials, featuring Moushumi Nag, are now on air on different channels. At present she seems to be busy with her shooting more than ever. Almost everyday she is shooting for TV plays. Alongside she is continuing modelling as well. “Ladies First”, featuring Moushumi, is being telecast on Banglavision. The drama is ... Read more
Asif Iqbal returns with 3 albums
Renowned lyricist Asif Iqbal is going to hit the country’s music industry again with his three latest albums. After a break of about two years, the talented artiste is coming soon with his coffers of lyrics to stimulate the listeners. Among the three albums, two titled as “Shobta Jure” and “Obhimani Akash” will be released ... Read more
Michael Learns to Rock to perform in Dhaka
Danish pop-soft rock band Michael Learns to Rock will perform in Dhaka on June 22 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in their first ever visit to Bangladesh, said a press release. A local talented singer will get the chance to perform with the internationally acclaimed rock band in the concert. The singer will be ... Read more