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.
3w 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.
5m 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.
6m 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.
7m 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.
2y 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
Remembering the contemporary great: Humayun Ahmed
To me, he was a weaver of stories from lands and cultures, all within Bangladesh, that I would never have heard of otherwise. Growing up abroad amidst mixed cultures and languages, Humayun Ahmed kept Bangladesh within me and in thousands of others like me.
3y ago
October 16, 2015
Excelling in New Media
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.
October 16, 2015
Accepting Identities
When in 2014, the government officially declared the hijras to be the third gender in Bangladesh, the hijra community did the victory dance.
October 9, 2015
1 Minute Please!
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
October 9, 2015
A South Asian Meet
Imagine a platform where young artists, scientists, social media specialists and thinkers get together to unleash the potentials of
October 2, 2015
Working in Solitude
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.
September 18, 2015
The Perfect Makeover
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.
September 11, 2015
The Every Day Festival
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,
September 4, 2015
Surviving Dhaka: A monologue
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.
August 28, 2015
Paris in Pixels
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.
July 31, 2015
Becoming a Fellow
An integral part of the Teach For Bangladesh programme is attracting young teachers to come and teach. And it is not as easy as it might sound. While some young teachers drop out of MBA programmes from some of the most prestigious universities in the country to become a TFB fellow, others spend months trying to fit into society, where young graduates joining a multinational and making a fortune makes more sense, rather than teaching at primary schools for half the salary.
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