Shayan: Of music and defiance
Shayan’s work is a blend of personal reflection and sharp social commentary, involving themes from lost relationships to biting political critiques. In songs like “Jonotar Beyadobi”, “Bhoy Banglay Bhoy”, “Ei Meye Shon”, and “O Neta Bhai”, she speaks not just of struggles, but of hope for a better world, calling for collective action against injustice.
5d ago
Aly Zaker: Remembering the architect of Bangladeshi theatre
As we celebrate the artiste’s 80th birth anniversary and reflect on four years since we lost him, we remember Aly Zaker as more than just an actor; as a visionary who understood the transformative power of storytelling. His legacy reminds us that art is not merely entertainment—it is the heartbeat of life itself, shaping how we see, feel, and understand the world.
2w ago
Bappa Mazumder’s odyssey lives on
For over three decades, Bappa has been an invaluable asset to the country's music industry, and he continues to work on several projects, including his latest song “Shohorer Chokh”. Additionally, the musician launched a Bangla Ghazal album, titled “Onubhob”, just yesterday.
2w ago
The timeless allure of Jibanananda Das on screen
Known by various titles—“The Poet of Love” and “Poet of Ruposhi Bangla”—Jibanananda's metaphysical and magically realist verses have enchanted countless readers and audiences. His influence spills over from literature into cinema, inspiring iconic works from the 90s rock band Moheener Ghoraguli to films like Sayantan Mukherjee’s “Jhora Palok” and Robiul Alam Robi’s “Moribar Holo Taar Shwaad.”
1m ago
A bittersweet Durga Puja
Dhaka city seems to have experienced a juxtaposition of tradition and trepidation during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations.
1m ago
The artivist
Being a cartoonist is Morshed Mishu’s preferred public identity, or as he describes himself, an “artivist”—someone who practices activism through art in a non-traditional manner. Mishu, who rose to prominence through his political cartoons and social activism, has journeyed to every corner of the country to aid his fellow countrymen.
1m ago
Shah Abdul Karim, the Baul king who sang his soul
Fifteen years ago today, on September 12, 2009, Karim, revered as the "Baul king," passed away, leaving behind a profound yet humble legacy of love and mysticism. Growing up in the flood-prone lowlands of Sunamganj, Karim's music became a lifeline, reflecting the rhythms of waterlogged lands and the heartache of their people. His songs, simple yet profound, captured the essence of rural life, blending spirituality with raw emotion.
2m ago
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.
2m ago
May 1, 2024
Remembering Fakir Alamgir, the voice of the working class
Fakir Alamgir’s life embodies the spirit of May Day — representing both its struggles and triumphs. His lifelong dedication to the rights and welfare of the working class through his music marks him as a true champion of the labourers' cause.
April 26, 2024
Art without limits: Bangladesh hosts inaugural International Disability Art Festival
The National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy buzzed with excitement as the inaugural International Disability Art Festival 2024 commenced today, marking a significant milestone in arts and inclusivity.
April 18, 2024
Oli Louis: The Nigerian man who fell in love with Bangla music
His rendition of "Shada Shada Kala Kala" marked a turning point, garnering widespread acclaim and affirming his belief that Bangladeshis would embrace him as one of their own if he pursued Bangla music wholeheartedly.
April 16, 2024
Happy 135th Birthday, Mr Chaplin!
Despite the advent of sound in cinema, Chaplin remained true to his silent roots, continuing to produce silent films even as talkies gained popularity. Films like "City Lights", "The Gold Rush", and "Modern Times" are timeless classics that showcase Chaplin's unmatched ability to entertain and inspire.
April 14, 2024
Songs of Pahela Baishakh
The soul-stirring melodies of Bangla songs resonate with the essence of the largely agrarian Bangalee people, weaving tales of joy, hope, aspiration, and the story of our journey as a nation.
March 26, 2024
Bengal’s revolutionary journey through slogans
Whenever an oppressive force tried to forcefully take their land and rice, the people of this country conjured up such resistance that even the strongest of forces had to retreat.
March 14, 2024
Must we wait for an artiste to pass away to give them their due respect?
As the country’s most loved artiste, Rabindra Sangeet legend Sadi Mohammad, took his own life on Wednesday (March 13), around 7pm, two discussions on this untimely death have resurfaced–clasps of depression and grief and the practice of conferring national awards to artistes posthumously.
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.
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