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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The women in Selina Hossain’s books are strong, because the author herself likes to be inspired by the reality around her.
My acoustic guitar, handwritten drafts of my poems in a briefcase, and an album with my childhood pictures.
A rising star in the field of art today, in the country, is the young Efat Razowane Reya. "Thank you! But if you don't mind, I'd rather be a rising star in the New Media genre in Bangladesh," smiles Reya. A young student with big, dreamy eyes, Reya depicts confidence, determination and one cannot miss the flicker of rebellion.
When in 2014, the government officially declared the hijras to be the third gender in Bangladesh, the hijra community did the victory dance.
Nafeez Al Amin is a drummer – or rather an artist with a flair for rhythm – as he would explain. Believing it to be art, Nafeez is known
Imagine a platform where young artists, scientists, social media specialists and thinkers get together to unleash the potentials of
For artists and creators, night time is the best time to think, imagine and design. This is true for musicians, writers, chefs in many Old Dhaka restaurants and also graphic designers.
Even a decade or two ago, the make up department was limited to only a handful of masters – displaying their talents at transformations of the human face. Darker skin would get whiter, smaller eyes would get bigger and lips that would put the rosy-lipped Disney princesses to shame.
Who says there's nothing to do in Dhaka? All we have to do is just look for the colours, in the right places! Grab your camera and set out towards Uttara – known for the airport, the second railway station, Raj Lakhsmi market and sporting a chaotic balance between schools,
Regular visits to the village home were mandatory, on our annual summer trips from the Middle East to Chittagong. The whole family – grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, house-helps, babies and pets – would set out for Maduna Ghaat.
A train ride from Barcelona to the Paris Gar de Lyon, is a long one. Even though we Bangladeshis are used to spending hours on the streets of Dhaka to get to Motijheel from Gulshan, the 6 hour train ride from Spain to France is quite a long one for Europeans.
