Fariha Amber

My Dhaka: The Dhakaiya pride

The tales of old Dhaka are as interesting as its people -- it is them who make these up after all, the Dhakaiyas. But how much do we know these Dhakaiyas? Aimlessly walking down the lanes dressed in a silk Punjabi,

Those who return to Dhaka for Eid

Crossing off every day of the Ramadan calendar draws the joy of Eid nearer. And what makes the festival even more exciting is being finally able to return home to our loved ones to celebrate this joyous occasion.

Eid Recipes: A classic twist on lachha shemai

An Eid spread is incomplete without delectable desserts and shemai is sure to be on the table. It is one of the indispensable things that contribute to the gaiety of Eid. In the festive spirit of Eid, here are two traditional recipes made with lachha shemai for you to feast on with friends and family during the joyful occasion.

Top 5 places to visit in Cumilla

Although it is not among the first names to cross our minds when we think of travelling within the country, there are quite a few places to visit in Cumilla. From historical places to religious sites, here are the top 5 places you must visit while in Cumilla.

Rich history and tradition of our sweets

Taking a sweet voyage across our country would unveil so many hidden gems within our culinary trove. Starting with the central hub,

The shorbot and juice culture of old Dhaka

In a country that has a hot and sultry climate like ours and most days of the year seem like summer, we have a certain longing for everything cold and refreshing such as shorbot. Especially for people living in older parts of the city, there exists a distinct attachment to shorbot and a glass of freshly extracted juice.

TAAGA Outstanding Young Professionals Award recognising impactful women

TAAGA has always supported trailblazers and curated a sense of style for women who are modern and versatile. Building on this endeavour of promoting feminism and providing women the opportunity to realise their true potential, TAAGA Outstanding Young Professionals Award was launched in February 2023 to honour young female professionals who stand out in their field of work.

5 easy-on-the-tummy meals for sehri

A few things signify the arrival of Ramadan and one of them is sehri. Ramadan sehri is one of the most important meals we consume as it is the last one before iftar. Sehri should be fulfilling and healthy at the same time.

5 ways to be productive at work during Ramadan

Working during Ramadan can be challenging, with fatigue and the need for our bodies to adjust to changed working hours and an altered lifestyle. However, even during Ramadan, you can be productive at work and get the most out of your adjusted working hours.

Spruce up your Eid ensemble with TAAGA

Eid festivities are right around the corner and it is that time of the year when everyone is busy shopping in full swing. As we thoughtfully put together our Eid outfit, how do we select the perfect one for ourselves to stand out? Answering this, TAAGA brings to you their line-up of Eid wear which is the perfect harmony between ethnic wear and comfort.

5 easy ways to do Sadaqah

Unlike Zakat, sadaqah is not obligatory but is rather a simple act of kindness done out of compassion with the intention to please Allah (SWT) and help others.

5 savoury recipes for Ramadan

Here are some delicious savoury recipes that you can cook up to spice up your iftar table spread.

DANDELIONZ: A one-stop platform for holistic development of children and families

There are various aspects that contribute to a child’s development, starting from how a mother navigates her pregnancy to the interactions a child has over the years of growth. Keeping these in view and providing a one-stop solution to the needs of both children and parents, DANDELIONZ, a holistic centre for the development of children and families, was incepted by Tamzida Karim and Bushra Amin.

Prepare delicious iftar desserts with Radhuni

Sweet cravings post iftar is a common phenomenon and it can be difficult to make desserts amidst all the other preparations but with Radhuni’s dessert range, you can prepare various desserts that are ready-to-make and hassle-free.

Wraps and rolls with Dan Cake Tortilla Ruti

Easy & healthy iftar with Dan Cake Tortilla Ruti

Ramadan is one of the busiest times of the year and with this auspicious month comes the routine task of preparing iftar and sehri meals. Preparing such meals everyday can be a hassle but with Dan Cake Tortilla Ruti, you can prepare a multitude of items easily.

Healthy Ramadan recipes with All Time Milk Bread

The holy month of Ramadan is almost here and brings with it blessings and peace. We find ourselves getting busy preparing meals for iftar and sehri during Ramadan, but often, these meals are not as healthy as they should be.

Rising to international success: Shams Ahmed a juggernaut in the world of music

Rising to success: Shams Ahmed a juggernaut in the world of music

Shams Ahmed, a Bangladeshi-origin music director, vocal producer, and singer is making headlines in the world of Western music for his exceptional composition and extraordinary musical productions. Co-founding various musical properties, including a girl group, Citizen Queen, a kids’ music brand, Acapop! KIDS, and producing for the highly popular a cappella group, Pentatonix, Shams has already left an indelible mark in the music industry.

Recipes for Shab-e-Barat

Over time, the practice of cooking and distributing halwa and roti have etched themselves as part of our tradition and now, Shab-e-Barat is synonymous to having halwa and bread in the house. On this note, here are a few bread and roti recipes for you try out.

Top 5 places to buy bread for Shab-e-Barat

Shab-e-Barat brings with it not only auspiciousness and blessings but also festive vibes and sociable exchanges. While devout Muslims engage themselves in acts of worship, households also get busy getting the best bread for their family and relatives, and distributing it among the needy. Among the hundreds of places that are available to buy bread, here are the top 5 in the city.

Culture Club by The Food Talk

The Food Talk, a popular Facebook group that is abuzz with food enthusiasts, restauranteurs, home cooks, and the like recently hosted a culture mixer called “Culture Club” on Saturday, 18 February, 2023. The idea of the event was for epicures from all backgrounds to converse and connect, while the stalls portrayed how a massive part of our culture is defined by food.

Dhaka’s lively bakery scene

As a city, Dhaka is rich in terms of culture and tradition, and what forms a big part of our heritage is the food we have carried down from generation to generation.

Women on the move: Making travelling easier

While the desire to explore new places may be the same for all, is travelling throughout the country the same for everyone?

Chocolate dessert recipes for Valentine’s Day

Chocolate is the universal language of love and to many, is the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.So, this Valentine’s Day, win the heart of your loved ones by making a decadent dessert with chocolates!

’Tis the season of pithas

Every country has a host of traditional sweets that they proudly plate as a representation of their food and culture; for Bangladesh, this is undoubtedly pitha. For us, pitha is not just any other ordinary food but is also a treasure trove of great memories. Growing up, winter would mean seeing your mum making pithas of various sizes and shapes and listening to the stories of the origin of these sweets. Or, it would mean having steaming hot, warm chitoi pitha for breakfast with mangsher jhol.

Top 6 places to visit in Jashore

Like every other region in Bangladesh, Jashore, formerly spelled Jashore, located in the southwestern part of the country, contains a treasure trove of places to visit and explore. From housing the country’s largest flower garden to being home to one of the pioneers of Bengali literature — Jashore has a lot to offer, from both natural and historical aspects. Here is a list of the 5 must-visit places in Jashore.

Is it time to rethink Shakrain?

Previously, Shakrain was all about the day-long preparation of flying kites and making traditional pitha that would keep the youth and elderly busy and brimming with excitement. Mostly happening in the areas that line the Buriganga river, it is an occasion exclusive to old Dhaka, where people from all over the city come to take part in.

Satiate your sweet and savoury cravings with Expressions – Chocolates & Cakes

Established as an online bakery in 2017, Expressions – Chocolates & Cakes is a passion project that turned into a profession for Sumaiyah Abid. Since then, she and her husband, Ashiq Ferdous, have been delivering delicious boxes of happiness through their Facebook page.

Stride with flair this wedding season

Fairy lights and festive vibes have taken over the streets of Dhaka – it’s the wedding season after all! Winter brings with it many end-of-year festivities and the much-awaited wedding season, where we celebrate new beginnings and put on our best outfits. However, no look is complete without the right pair of shoes.

Complete your breakfast spread with All Time Family Cake

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, as it gives us the required energy to go about with our daily activities and tasks while keeping us full for a long time. A balanced breakfast must include a mix of essential nutrients and required minerals to keep us energised, and All Time Family Cake ensures just that. It contains essential nutrients that act as the fuel for our body that not only enables us to complete our daily activities but also keeps us full.

Experiencing the joy of FIFA World Cup live at the stadium

Whether or not we are football fanatics, watching the FIFA world cup live from the stadium is something almost all of us have in our bucket list. Most people spend months, or even years planning for this day. But what does it really feel like to watch the game from the bleachers? Well, watching the FIFA world cup live is not just about a game, but it is an entire journey.

5 facts you did not know about the FIFA World Cup Trophy

The FIFA World Cup is undoubtedly one of the biggest sporting events in history and is currently the talk of the town. With so much glory surrounding this magnificent tournament, the iconic trophy that is football’s biggest mark of honour has a host of interesting stories captivated within it — most of which you probably never heard of.

Cristiano Ronaldo: The fitness freak no one can beat!

There is one thing Cristiano Ronaldo is famous for other than being one of the best players in the world and winning several titles to his name – being a fitness freak! Who else would make headlines for removing Coca-Cola bottles with international spectators watching? Cristiano Ronaldo’s journey in football is well-known, but in the process, he has also garnered a lot of attention for being a fitness enthusiast. Albeit he has been training for football since a young age, has he always pushed himself to reach peak fitness? How did he get here?

5 most stylish footballers playing at the World Cup 2022

The game of football is a class apart, and so are some of the players — not just in terms of their athletic prowess while playing the game, but also in their fashion game — they stand apart. Some have a formal style, some prefer casual, and some straight up flamboyant.

Rules for wearing plaid pants!

Plaid pants have been around for a while and have a reputation for making the wearer look smart and preppy. These tartan-patterned trousers bring an edge to your look whether you opt for a funky colourful get-up or rather stick to a subdued, retro look.

The Bengali rickshaw bride: Fashion designer Tasmit Afiyat Arny shattering bridal stereotypes

Being a part of the fashion industry and being deeply rooted in her rich Bengali culture and heritage, Arny has always been passionate about loudly displaying things that narrate her culture. You may recall the time when Shirin Akter Shila walked the ramp in Miss Universe 2019 stunning the audience sporting a red jamdani, green rickshaw hood, and Bengali alphabets for jewellery — a costume that was designed by Arny.

Top 4 footballers and their dietary habits

You are what you eat – how true is this statement? Well, whether or not it reflects on us ordinary individuals, for athletes, this directly reflects on their performance. So, what are the top players in the world eating for such power-packed performance on the field?

4 great guava recipes to prepare at home

Summer in Bangladesh may be unbearable at some point, but we are indeed very lucky to live in a country with a tropical climate, because we are blessed with an abundance of delicious fruits. Guava is one such seasonal fruit that we wait for throughout the year, and we are glad guava season is now in full swing. There are many ways we can use guava to create delightful recipes. Other than the usual savoury street food that is made with a spicy mustard sauce and other condiments, there are several other ways to go about it.

All Time Croissant: Your companion for every occasion

How do you meet your cravings for croissants any time of the day when it is not possible to order from a bakery? All Time, which is always coming up with new and delicious products, has the perfect answer with their newest addition – All Time Chocolate Croissant. This is the first-of-its-kind instant packaged croissant in Bangladesh!

All Time Croissant: Your everyday companion

As our preference for food is slowly taking a foreign route, croissants are gaining popularity among the urban populace. A croissant is a delicacy that our local tastebuds have come to enjoy. Bakeries all around the city now offer this popular food.

Your complete guide to visiting the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Bangladesh, and easily one of the best tourist attractions in the country. This mangrove forest is the largest in the world, and is densely populated with various trees, and diverse wildlife. This time of the year — from October to March —is best to visit this treasure trove of natural beauty as the weather is perfect, not too warm with low chances of rain or storm. But how do we get there and what’s there to see? This article shall serve as your guide.

All Time Bread adding sweetness to your festivities

The atmosphere already feels jovial as we prepare for the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja. The traditional sweets of our country are unlike any other. The amount of effort and time that goes into making our delicate mishtis truly define what labour of love stands for. The lengthy process often resists us from making these at home. But what if I told you that these desserts can easily be replicated in your own kitchen? Yes, they can! That too, by using a simple ingredient such as All Time Bread.

Get the right look with Apex this Durga Puja

Durga Puja is just around the corner and no festive occasion is ever complete without a stunning look. Whether you decide to drape yourself in a sari, slip in a kurta, or casually wear a top, you will need the right pair of shoes to complete your look. And on this festive occasion, Apex Footwear brings you an array of fashionable footwear for men and women to add elegance and style to your festivities.

Pamper yourself at Glam by Asmita

If you are looking to take a day off from your hectic schedule to relax and pamper yourself with a luxurious experience, then look no further because Glam by Asmita (GBA) is where you should be headed!

The emcee for the evening wearing MEHER by Samina Sara

MEHER by Samina Sara: Adding glitz and glamour to a star-studded affair

The evening of 3 September 2022 witnessed an exclusive event as luminaries graced the Blender’s Choice-The Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards 2021 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka. Four amazing personalities, Sunerah Binte Kamal, Rafsan Sabab, Naziba Basher, and Yash Rohan were hosts of the evening. The team of emcees added elegance and humour to the occasion with their gorgeous outfits and clever conversations. All their attires were from MEHER by Samina Sara, a high-end clothing label. Samina Sara put a lot of thought into designing the outfits for the hosts, and the inspiration behind each of these was beautifully executed.

Regal desserts made with All Time Milk Bread

Bread and regal desserts put together may sound like an oxymoron at first, but it is amazing to think that a humble ingredient such as bread can be used as the core ingredient in decadent desserts that scream grandiose. All Time Milk Bread is prepared fresh, and its soft texture makes it the perfect pick to make your bread desserts.

Top 5 houseboats to check out in Bangladesh

The vast network of waterways in Bangladesh gives the opportunity to explore the country and admire its riverine islands and endless stretches of water. Be it on the Tanguar haor of Sylhet or the Kaptai Lake of Rangamati, houseboats that are now commonly available provide a one-of-a-kind experience to explore and rejoice in the country’s aquatic beauty. Modern houseboats come decked with a lot of facilities and yet their wooden construction make us feel close to nature. Slowly floating away in the quietude of still water with sudden interruptions caused by gushing waves truly provide the experience of a lifetime.

Office hour changes – what does it mean for the average office goer?

As instructed by officials, a workday from now onwards would start at 8 AM and employees are expected to wrap up by 3 PM. As for banks, the timing shall be from 9 AM to 4 PM. 3 PM? I thought to myself, as I glanced at my calendar and realised, I was occupied by meetings only up until that time. A drastic change in such a short span of time will definitely hamper work schedules. Over time, we get accustomed to a certain working clock and organise our day accordingly. A sudden change may disrupt the work pace and alter our routine way of work to some extent. It is especially difficult for offices that are highly invested in international clients or counterparts to adjust.

Recipes with sugarcane

Sugarcane is a quintessential summer delight in our country and now is that time of the year where various sugarcane juice carts have started to pop up. The most common ways of consuming it is by having its juice directly squeezed out or by chewing it and crushing it to swallow the juices. However, sugarcane is more than just its juices. There are so many recipes both sweet and savoury that you may try out using sugarcane. In the joy of summer and this glorious summer delight, here are a couple of tantalizing sugarcane juice and skewer recipes.