Prachyanat School honours Kafka with stage adaptation of ‘Metamorphosis’
Kafka's “The Metamorphosis”, published in 1915, remains one of the most unsettling yet profound explorations of alienation and existential dread. The novella's iconic opening—“One morning, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find himself transformed into a giant insect”—sets the tone for a story that delves deep into the absurdity of human existence and the crushing weight of societal expectations.
1w ago
‘Cartoon Ey Bidroho’: Drik celebrates revival of political cartoons
Political cartoons played a pivotal role in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, transforming the revolution with artistic brilliance and courage.
3w ago
Rahul Ananda’s home, a once vibrant cultural hub, looted and burnt
As we are still counting down on our losses, the vandalism and destruction that took place at Joler Gaan frontman Rahul Ananda’s residence on Monday (July 5) afternoon has devastated many cultural activists and people at large.
1m ago
Valiant voices against brute force: The fearless upstarts of Bangla rap
It’s incredible how the same slogans, songs, anthems, and the spirit of Bengali nationalism and the Liberation War of 1971 are being echoed both on the streets and in assemblies, but this time with supporting views on the ongoing quota reform movement that has gripped the nation for the past month. Bengal has always been a land where political resurgence has stood on the stronghold of its culture.
1m ago
Artistes unfazed by heavy rain, censorship: Demand justice for students
The rally was a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and reform in Bangladesh, highlighting the role of visual media professionals in amplifying the call for accountability and change.
1m ago
A revolutionary song for a nation amidst a ‘rising revolution’
As the country grapples with the ongoing quota reform protests, starting from July 1 and now on its 14th day, this song serves as a poignant reminder of the power and spirit of resistance. The government's heavy-handed response to peaceful protests, marked by violence and oppressive crackdowns, draws unsettling parallels to the struggles faced by countless others in the pursuit of justice and equality.
1m ago
Behind Biplab Goswami’s comedy of errors, ‘Laapataa Ladies’
To make a film is to tell a story, and when it's a cumulation of collective consciousness, to find common social grounds, values, and ordinary yet telltale stories that create the base of development of human thought and psyche is a perfect example of a much needed social and cultural commentary.
1m ago
Remembering Jahanara Imam: Forging a war amidst a war
Through her relentless activism and unyielding spirit, Jahanara Imam remains a beacon of courage and resilience in the face of immense adversity.
2m ago
March 11, 2024
I went to my mother’s grave and cried: Shibli Mohammad on Ekushey Padak honour
A trendsetter by his own merit and steadfast promoter of the inclusion of male classical dancers in Bangladesh, Shibli Mohammad is trained by one of the biggest names of classical dancing in South Asia, late Pandit Birju Maharaj, the father of Kathak dance.
March 8, 2024
‘Water, light and hope’: A letter from the Jamuna char lands
In a bid to create that bridge, Standard Chartered Bangladesh (SCB) and Friendship have jointly arranged a photo exhibition to give a glimpse of the people living in sedimentary islands (chars).
February 24, 2024
Bappa Mazumder’s ‘Odyssey’ is a lesson on how to arrange concerts
Bappa Mazumder devoted his second solo concert to those of his fans who missed the first one, which took place on September 23, 2022. However, seeing hundreds of his fans, from toddlers to 60-year-olds, eagerly waiting for him to sing their favourite songs at the show, the question remains: will the audiences ever get enough of Bappa Mazumder and his songs? The answer is probably no.
February 20, 2024
Sajjad Hussain chronicles Anindya Chattopadhyay’s early years in ‘Anindyakal’
The book, exploring the obscured corners of the singer’s life before his rise to fame, has been unveiled at a programme held at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra Auditorium in the capital on Monday evening.
February 3, 2024
Unveiling the Rich Tapestry of Japanese Culture through Dolls
In the exhibition, the development and changes in the shape of the dolls are represented according to the important time periods of Japan. This can be seen through the shape of the dolls, from the traditional to the collector figure. Not only that, this exhibition also displays “Ningyo” forms and styles with characteristics from each region in Japan.
January 26, 2024
Prachyanat School to celebrate ‘Raktakarabi’s’ centenary with new production
Under the direction of Shawkat Hossain Sajib, the school will stage the play on Monday, January 29, at 7:00pm at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's National Theatre Hall. Prachyanat, which is renowned for its socially and politically aware grand theatrical presentations, is going to stage the epic play as part of its biannual school productions.
January 24, 2024
Dr Israfeel Shaheen: A professor’s quest to promote unconventional theatre
Dr Israfeel Shaheen, a noted theatre director and professor at the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies, University of Dhaka, has many achievements in his bag as a prominent theatre personality who is taking Bangladesh’s folk, indigenous, and improvisational theatrics to the world’s stage. However, besides his commendable accomplishments, he always traces back to his roots and brings forth what we, as Bengalis have to offer centered on our rich cultural genesis and resourcefulness.
January 18, 2024
A glimpse of Chinese New Year in Dhaka
The spring festival began with a captivating dance performance by a prominent Chinese Cultural organisation, the Song and Dance Ensemble of Yunnan Province. Performers created the Hani dance “Divine Bird Flapping Swings of China” at the event.
January 17, 2024
Suchitra Sen: How a girl from Pabna became South Asia’s biggest superstar
On her tenth death anniversary today, we remember Suchitra Sen, Bengal’s first female superstar, and a feminist in spirit, who took charge of her own fate and challenged the common norms that surround or define femininity.
January 10, 2024
‘Everything Is Nothing’ to compete at France’s Cineplay Int’l Film Fest
The short film has been selected to compete at the festival on January 5. After being declared as a finalist on Wednesday, it will be screened on January 15, informed Arafat Mohsin Nidhi, director of the production, to The Daily Star.
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