Hrishik Roy

Hrishik Roy is a former intern at Star Books and Literature. Reach out to him at hrishik.roy.27@dartmouth.edu.

The impact of privilege on US college applications

While many applicants work their fingers to the bone to present their best selves on paper, the reality remains that some individuals are inherently positioned with better odds right from the start.

1y ago

“Fragile Things”: How ghosts and spirituality make it into writing

Participants, including the show’s hosts and guests, picked up discarded pebbles, photo frames, children’s artwork, and other knick knacks—all fragile things collected and displayed by the author. 

1y ago

Is the transportation system failing the youth?

The deteriorating transportation situation in Dhaka has made commuting a daunting experience.

1y ago

Prabir Ghosh taught me to be a sceptic

Through his simple and coherent scientific explanations for “supernatural” events such as the practice of witchcraft or the sanctity of religious sites, he challenged the dogmatic belief system which exists throughout much of South Asia.

1y ago

Academics, book reviews commemorate Abul Mansur Ahmad

"Without the practice of literature and study of history, no civilization has progressed much", Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury said in his closing speech.

1y ago

Of ‘BONOBIBI’ and music as a form of storytelling

The verses remind us that a withering, war-torn Earth can still birth new life and hopes of freedom.

1y ago

On Coke Studio Bangla x Meghdol’s ‘BONOBIBI’ and music as a form of storytelling

When Coke Studio Bangla released Meghdol’s Bonobibi, their second song of season 2, listeners found themselves torn between loving the song and questioning it. Questioning as to why the song was done under the banner of Coke Studio, a project funded by an American-based multinational corporation; questioning what qualifies Meghdol, a band known for singing about urban life in Dhaka city, to sing about tales originating in the Sundarbans; and why the song didn’t delve deeper into the history and background of the stories they were trying to tell. It has raised a wider question about how music plays a role in storytelling.

1y ago

A diverse longlist for the 2023 International Booker Prize

Novels from India, the Caribbean, Ukraine, Spain, Bulgaria, Ivory Coast, France, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, China, Norway and South Korea in the longlist.

1y ago
February 10, 2023
February 10, 2023

8 new books to buy at Boi Mela this week

Historical fiction, romance, essays, and travelogues.

February 9, 2023
February 9, 2023

‘The book is a handicraft product’: BUET’s ‘Studio X’

"[This] is an important collection of work to be made available to the architecture, planning and engineering community as a key cornerstone of continuing to build Bangladesh", Transcom GCEO Simeen Rahman writes in her foreword. 

February 9, 2023
February 9, 2023

Evil and the divine in Dostoevsky’s ‘The Brothers Karamazov’

Despite my own lack of belief in divine providence, Dostoevsky's damning portrayal of the vacuum created in a world where ideas such as religion, spirituality and faith take a backseat made me challenge my own ideas about the source of our moral conduct and made me weigh the benefits of lingering onto faith.

February 5, 2023
February 5, 2023

The untapped potential of our public libraries

There are few public libraries across the city which can be considered to have a decent book collection in both Bangla and English.

February 5, 2023
February 5, 2023

‘Boi Mela will return to its previous glory’, says Sadat Hossain after first weekend of the fair

Crowds intensified from 4:30 PM on Friday as booklovers and literature enthusiasts from all across the city gathered to have their first sights of the beloved Boi Mela in its first weekend. 

February 1, 2023
February 1, 2023

Horror, mystery, and adventures shape Shah Alam Shazu’s 52nd book

Char Goyenda Mohabipode, the 52nd book by author and journalist, Shah Alam Shazu, is being published in this year’s Ekushey Boi Mela by Anannya. The book consists of five stories whose themes mainly centre around detectives, horror, mystery and adventure. 

January 26, 2023
January 26, 2023

Censorship in Boi Mela: A cause for concern?

Bangladesh needs to formulate a national book policy, as well as a comprehensive bibliography policy, alongside guidelines for the rights of authors and publishers, for contracts, and higher standards for editing and translating. 

December 29, 2022
December 29, 2022

How I learned to tackle big books

This is indeed a risky business.

December 19, 2022
December 19, 2022

AI-generated book receives criticism on the internet

Tthe story of a little girl named Alice and a robot named Sparkle who explore the frontiers of science and technology together.

December 16, 2022
December 16, 2022

5 books to read on Victory Day

The book covers the crucial role of the Bangladeshi diaspora and the international community during the Liberation War in garnering international attention.