Mannan Mashhur Zarif

Embracing the chaos: The art of creation

Creative blocks mirror nature’s barren phases, yet chaos and stillness birth inspiration. True creativity resists control, flowing from instinct and emotion. In its wild, sacred moments, we connect deeply—with self, soul, and the art of becoming.

1m ago

A wall’s eye-view diary of a neighbourhood

Every locality in this city has stories, and none seem to speak louder than the anecdotes shared by walls! Case in point: Shantinagar! Having lived here for over four decades, I am no stranger to the tales they offer, and curiously, these narratives are ever-changing.

1m ago

Old Dhaka Weddings: Of flavours and traditions

In Old Dhaka, kachchi biriyani has emerged as the quintessential wedding dish

2m ago

Shakrain: Kites and tastes of Old Dhaka

Shakrain is now observed by the entire community of Old Dhaka

2m ago

Rashid Choudhury: Weaving magic into Bangladesh’s art scene

Rashid Choudhury revolutionized Bangladeshi art by pioneering modern tapestry, blending Bengal’s cultural heritage with European techniques. His vibrant, symbolic works redefined artistic boundaries, inspiring generations and transforming textile art into a powerful medium of national identity.

2m ago

An Eid lunch to remember

Kumkum Rahman grew up in Dhaka. As part of the generation of the ’70s, she has recollections of a relatively quaint city, free from the hustle and bustle of the present day. Among her most treasured memories are those of Ramadan in the metropolis, but what remains etched in her heart is the joy of Eid in a bygone era.

3m ago

Abahani vs. Mohammedan: The football rivalry that defined a generation

Back in the day, the Abahani-Mohammedan rivalry was as fierce as Real Madrid-Barcelona

3m ago

Why I will always love the month of Ramadan

Ramadan holds a special place in the heart, rooted in childhood memories of fasting, reading, and spending time with family. The sacred month provides a chance for reflection, reconnecting with loved ones, and appreciating life's simple, meaningful moments.

4m ago
September 29, 2020
September 29, 2020

The other side of Dr Fatema Begum

Born in Rangpur and raised in a peaceful environment, nature did not touch her that way back then. She grew up in a family surrounded by brothers, and hardly ever enjoyed anything else other than a game of cricket or volleyball.

September 29, 2020
September 29, 2020

Dr Sayedur Rahman Khan: In the Mission of Mending Hearts

Being a Cardiac Surgeon, or being a doctor for that matter, was not his personal calling, rather much like a typical desi story, decided by the family patriarch. But even from his student life studying MBBS at Dhaka Medical College, he realised being a doctor was, in his capacity, a way to serve people.

September 29, 2020
September 29, 2020

Finding Dr Reyan Anis

Her mother, the late Colonel Rokaiya Anis, was one of the most renowned gynaecologists in post-independence Bangladesh and a pioneering female gynaecologist in the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

August 22, 2020
August 22, 2020

The man beyond the art

Apart from being one of the most prominent modern painters of Bangladesh, it is common knowledge that Murtaja Baseer wore a hat with many feathers. He was not only an accomplished painter, noted novelist, and all in all, a socially conscious individual, but also a keen collector of coins, stamps, bank notes, and matchboxes.

August 11, 2020
August 11, 2020

Le Smoking Tuxedo

Parisian fashion of the 1960s was witness to winds of change. And the world followed suit.

June 23, 2020
June 23, 2020

Monsoon and memories

The English rain feels obligatory, like paperwork. It dampens already damp days and slicks the stones already smoothened by the ravages of a thousand seasons.

June 23, 2020
June 23, 2020

Movies for a rainy day

As cliched as it may sound, rainy-days have a special place in our hearts. For some, it’s the pitter patter of the rainfall, perhaps the picturesque cityscape visible through the open glass windows, or that earthy smell accompanying the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.

April 14, 2020
April 14, 2020

Sylhet’s Dhamail: an ode to joy and community music

The singing troupes are, more often than not, amateurs. In wealthy households, professional musicians, or geedal as they are

March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020

Posters of 1971 A guide to freedom

At every refugee camp in the neighbouring country; at every training camp where valiant youth of the nation, farmers, day labourers, and able men and women learned warfare in the spirit to free their native land; at every liberated zone of Bangladesh — there were travelling musical troupes singing songs of freedom and victory.

March 17, 2020
March 17, 2020

Recognition, as equals

Decem-ber 6, 1971. Three days into Pakistani pre-emptive strikes on Indian bases, the escalation of tensions in the subcontinent led Bhutan to accord diplomatic recognition to Bangladesh, followed by India only hours later.