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.”
1w ago
A bittersweet Durga Puja
Dhaka city seems to have experienced a juxtaposition of tradition and trepidation during this year’s Durga Puja celebrations.
3w 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.
4w 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.
1m 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
‘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.
2m 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.
2m 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.
3m ago
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.
January 5, 2024
The melody of the polls: Sometimes genius, sometimes obnoxious
While every alleyway, street and locality has been adorned with posters, the most impressive promotion of this election is perhaps the innovative and catchy songs that are being played at political stalls, through mikes, moving vans and rickshaws.
December 21, 2023
Empowering Bangladeshi women: Mano a mano with Sara Zaker
Founded by Jude Kelly CBE, WOW - Women of the World is an international festival that started its journey in 2021 in Bangladesh. It organises community events nationwide by offering a platform to celebrate the voices of women and girls, whether living within or beyond the margins of society.
December 13, 2023
Representing Bengal’s Gaudiya Nritya on the world stage
Gaudiya Nritya is a Bengali classical dance originating in Gaur, Bengal, the ancient capital of the region. Gaudiya Nritya is a composite art form representing the pre-colonial division of larger Bengal with a unique combination of music, history, poetry, literature, drama and rhythm.
December 11, 2023
Prachyanat to conclude triumphant year with ‘Koinna’
The popular theatre troupe is going to conclude a glorious year with one of its initial plays, eminent thespian Azad Abul Kalam directorial “Koinna”, being staged at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Wednesday (December 13) at 7 PM .
December 2, 2023
Singing her way to national glory
Talented singer Atiya Anisha became a household name in the Bangladeshi film and music industry with her crowd-favorite playback singles like “Cholo Niralay” from the movie “Poran”, “Jadur Ayna” from the web-film “Antonagar”, and more. Recently, she received the Best Singer Award in the female category for the song “Ei Shohorer Pothe Pothe” from the movie “Payer Chhaap”, at the Bangladesh National Film Awards. The talented songstress dropped by The Daily Star for a chat.
November 30, 2023
Brushstrokes of solidarity: Fundraiser exhibition sheds light on war-torn Palestine
To a practised eye, the images, paintings, satirical cartoons and visuals of Palestine, a country with a very rich heritage, art and cultural background and which has been diminished to the verge of destruction, where humanity is barely surviving, did not seem any less or more than what it is: A targeted cultural persecution.
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