Celebrating Mrinal Sen’s 101
Mrinal Sen, a pioneering figure of Indian cinema, continues to inspire artistic representation of social consciousness. Born on May 14, 1923, in Faridpur, his journey as a filmmaker traversed tumultuous socio-political landscapes. Through the composition of his illustrious career, he distinguished himself as a filmmaker of unparalleled vision and courage, particularly because his works transcended mere entertainment to embody profound social commentary.
3d ago
‘Laapataa Ladies’ maximises feminism with mistaken identity
Set in the fictional Nirmal Pradesh in India, “Laapataa Ladies’” premise follows Deepak (Sparsh Srivastav), a farmer, who mistakenly ends up with Jaya (Pratibha Ranta), another bride, instead of his newlywed wife Phool (Nitanshi Goel). The film however reveals itself as more than just a case of swapped identities on a train. It is a story about defying expectations and finding freedom, wrapped in a cloak of apt humour. Since returning to the director’s seat after 13 years, Kiran Rao thus weaves a hilarious tale of these two exchanged brides. The highlight of the film lies beneath the comedic chaos in powerful messages that point to the threads of patriarchy binding women in our society.
5d ago
RUET students develop bomb-disposal robot for Bangladesh Army
The robot, named Hades-X-ZeroThree, draws inspiration from Greek mythology.
1w ago
Navigating turbulent tides: An exploratory look at ‘All That Weathers’
Resting Academy's "All That Weathers", currently underway at Drik Path Bhaban, is more than just a mere accumulated display of photography exhibition. It is a voyage through the heart of change — a tapestry woven with stories from the intimate landscapes of Bengal, Kashmir, and Central India.
1w ago
‘Stitched Collage’: Exploring Suranjana Bhattacharja’s threads of resilience
Suranjana Bhattacharja's journey into the world of art took a unique turn when she was diagnosed with Dystrophy around a decade ago, causing partial disability in her left hand. Despite the challenges posed by this chronic condition, she found solace in her passion for sewing. Inspired by artists like Kandinsky, she ventured into stitched collage, a novel form of artistic expression. The inception of this exhibition can be traced back to a pivotal moment in Suranjana's life while residing in Montreal. Struck by the parallels between her own journey and that of renowned artists like Matisse, who persisted in creating despite physical limitations, she found renewed determination to pursue her craft.
2w ago
Air conditioner or air cooler: Which one should you buy this summer?
Summer in Bangladesh is a scorcher. With temperatures soaring and humidity reaching uncomfortable levels, staying cool becomes a priority. As such, when it comes to choosing a cooling solution, you are faced with two main options: air conditioners (AC) and air coolers. But, which one should you go for?
4w ago
‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’: Is the trending man-machine love story worth watching?
While the film boasts charming performances and a visually appealing production, it ultimately struggles to navigate its blend of romance, science fiction, and family drama. The core concept of a human falling in love with a robot is undoubtedly thought-provoking, raising questions about identity, emotions, and the future of technology. It successfully touches upon interesting themes like artificial intelligence and societal perceptions of technology. Yet, being unable to delve deeper, the film leaves certain corners unexplored and rather open to interpretation for the audience.
1m ago
Bangladeshi Aydha Mehnaz in Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe
Aydha Mehnaz, a 29 year old Bangladeshi, has been featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list under the Media and Marketing category. Aydha is VIP and Media Relations Lead at fashion brand Mugler, a French luxury fashion house owned by L’Oréal Group. Under her leadership, Mugler's media impact value soared from $58 million pre-Covid to now over $200 million, states Forbes.
1m ago
November 4, 2023
Souls intertwined with nature and melody: Zahangir Alom’s solo exhibition underway
The third solo art exhibition by Zahangir Alom, titled "Songs of Soul," was inaugurated yesterday evening at La Galerie of Alliance Française de Dhaka.
October 30, 2023
‘Dream Girl 2’: An erroneous comedy
What makes the humour questionable is one particularly problematic dialogue where a character implies that mental health is a construct for the rich. This dialogue not only disregards depression as a legitimate condition but also adds to the preexisting social stigma, implying that it's all 'just in our minds.'
October 26, 2023
Rezaul Hoque’s unique approach to art with ‘burning’ technique
Artists often push the boundaries of traditional techniques to convey their emotions, and in the process, they develop new forms or explore unconventional methods to establish a distinct style for themselves. Quite similarly, over the years, artist Rezaul Hoque has developed a novel approach to creating artwork through what he calls a “burning process”.
October 16, 2023
25 Years of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai: A holistic approach to love
Today marks the silver jubilee of one of Bollywood’s legendary and cherished films, “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. Released on October 16, 1998, this Karan Johar directorial debut recommences holding a special place in the hearts of millions of fans – transcending generations and borders.
October 15, 2023
Dhaka Divisional Book Fair ended amidst the need for more visibility
Most of the students from Dhaka University did not know about the fair and simply happened to pass by.
October 14, 2023
Bangladeshi Antara recognised as an IAF Emerging Space Leader
Raihana Shams Islam Antara, a lecturer in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at BRAC University, has been recognised as a 2023 IAF Emerging Space Leader (ESL) by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) for her contribution in the field of space technology.
October 10, 2023
'Dear Zindagi': On love, life and mental well-being
Director Gauri Shinde’s "Dear Zindagi", released in 2016, stands out as a remarkable example of the power of storytelling in fostering meaningful discussions. Through a meticulously woven narrative and finely etched characters, this film adeptly addresses the stigma associated with therapy while emphasising the importance and relevance of mental health in our lives.
October 5, 2023
5 Lucky Ali songs to celebrate ahead of his Dhaka show
Ahead of this debut concert in Dhaka tomorrow, here is a playlist celebrating his musical journey and enduring classics.
September 28, 2023
Bidding adieu to the wizard behind ‘Dumbledore’
Michael Gambon, the British-Irish actor best known for playing the wise professor Albus Dumbledore in the "Harry Potter" film series, passed away earlier today. He was a true artist, and dazzled audiences with a diverse career spanning decades, playing roles in everything from Shakespearean classics to modern tragedies.
September 23, 2023
Made-in-Bangladesh AI: The roadblocks and the future
Intelligent Machines, a Dhaka-based company that provides enterprise AI products and data science services, has etched itself as a notable name in Bangladesh's AI-based tech industry. We recently caught up with Mohammad Oli Ahad, the founder and CEO of Intelligent Machines, to learn more about the company’s mission, technological triumphs, and the strategies propelling it forward.
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