Elita Karim

Elita Karim

Glad to be alive!

Singer; Writer; Editor of Arts and Entertainment, The Daily Star; Loves books, visuals, sleep and eating bowls of apples, pears and oranges.

July memories

The tragic events of July, especially the Holey Artisan attack and the revolution in Bangladesh, have left indelible scars. Memories of loss and sacrifice continue to shape the nation, serving as a powerful reminder of resilience and resistance.

2w ago

The challenges the film certification board faces

Hopeful outcomes from the new establishment will take months or years of work, research and the final formation of the act and its accompanying set of rules.

8m ago

‘Obak Bhalobasha’: 30 years later

Warfaze, one of the most celebrated bands in Bangladesh, turns 40 years old today. With albums, compositions, awards and several hits to their name, the band has contributed much to the music industry in Bangladesh. They have also played a vital role– through their melodies and lyrics– in keeping the Bengali language alive, thriving and evolving, over several generations and in countries all over the world, where Bengalis live and communicate accordingly. 

1y ago

Delving deep into ‘MaLoMa’ and its topsy turvy world

As I write this, “MaLoMa”, a musical tale of extraordinary lives led by everyday people, is trending number 1 on YouTube Bangladesh & 38 on global YouTube. This song, as a whole, is many stories woven together as one, belonging to people from all walks of life. The stories touch hearts and inspire music lovers to ponder upon life in general. As Arif Dewan and Shagor Dewan sing their hearts out about how mistaken they were about life being a bed of roses, the chaotic city around them comes to life.

1y ago

Weaving ‘Tati’ as a musical, visual treat

It has been a couple of weeks at least since the Bangla New Year celebrations, which we lovingly refer to as Noboborsho. However, Coke Studio Bangla’s “Tati” is still dominating playlists. ‘Taanti’, or in this case “Tati”, refers to the craftsperson or the creator of fabrics, who works with the material called taant – depicting motifs, colourful borders, and softness to touch. Especially in this heat, a taant saree or a fatua is always a welcome addition to an average Bangladeshi wardrobe, allowing one to breathe easy and at the same time, look trendy.

1y ago

Tagore’s Gitabitan and the bookshelf of a Bengali household

It has been 81 years today since Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali polymath, poet, composer and the first Bengali Nobel Laureate, breathed his last. In these 81 years, much has changed in the world, including the modernisation of his compositions. Tagore’s songs—Rabindra Sangeet, as they are known—are still popular amongst Bengali music lovers.

2y ago

My visit to the Grammys

When I was arriving in Phoenix, Arizona last year for my Humphrey Fellowship, I did not imagine that I would get to be a part of one of the most prestigious musical celebrations of the world – the Grammys.

3y ago

Women in Translation Month: Why we need more of Selina Hossain

The women in Selina Hossain’s books are strong, because the author herself likes to be inspired by the reality around her.

3y ago
March 4, 2016
March 4, 2016

The Woman Next Door

Every year on Women's Day, we like to compare and draw lines between the roles women played in the past few decades and the present.

February 26, 2016
February 26, 2016

1 Minute Please!

Samir Hafiz has tried it all – all the sub-genres of metal, rock, and he recently starred with his team of musicians at the Pop Republic,

February 26, 2016
February 26, 2016

Moving Backwards

It is disheartening and quite scary to find the government slightly tweaking the law, where under-aged girls are concerned. Although

February 19, 2016
February 19, 2016

Gibberish: Trains of Thoughts

The traffic is getting worse by the day and it's not a shocking event anymore. The rebels have stopped rebelling and the screams have finally subdued. We have all become numb (or have chosen to be numb), sit tight and enjoy the scenery outside.

February 19, 2016
February 19, 2016

Weekends for Families at the Boi Mela

One of the biggest and the oldest festivals is happening in Dhaka at the moment – the Ekushey Granthamela, and like every other

February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016

1 Minute Please!

Two popular names in the TV industry – Nayeem and Nadia, recently tied the knot, much to the excitement of their fans. Both of them

February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016

The month of Books

It's the month of books here in Dhaka and it definitely is not too late to kick start (yet again) the habit of reading one book a week.

February 5, 2016
February 5, 2016

Gibberish- the journal

25 is a big number, especially for a newspaper that has been successfully delivering to the people of Bangladesh for a quarter of a

February 5, 2016
February 5, 2016

Living with the Editor

For those who work for a newspaper or a news agency — we know how it feels to be surviving the office hours with an editor around.

February 3, 2016
February 3, 2016

The table talk debate

Education is the back bone of any nation, and this is something that goes without saying. In the last many decades, Bangladesh has brought...