The Culture of Intolerance and Resistance to change
It was immediately after the overthrow of the dictator H.M. Ershad in 1990 that our nation made its gradual progress towards representative democracy. Like all avenues of culture, dictatorship of nearly fifteen years brought in its wake several new and abominable cultures that the nation was least prepared for. The euphoria of freedom post 1990-91 led on to a democratic transition with open elections which on surface was 'free and fair'.
6y ago
The Culture of Intolerance and Resistance to Change - Part 3
The tragic events of August 1975 had cascading effects in our cultural life, with very few equals in our tumultuous history. It was to be the beginning of a long and debilitating experience as our political life i.e. a new nation with a nascent democracy, strong trends towards secularism and progressive efforts at driving culture
6y ago
The Culture of Intolerance and Resistance to Change - Part 2
Post independence Bangladesh had lingering sadness creeping into our lives and would overwhelm our culture at every juncture. The first years were spent trying to resuscitate the nation back from its collective grief and trauma of the war.
6y ago
The Culture of Intolerance and Resistance to Change - Part 1
Unfortunately, these conflicts have spilled over to the millennium where 'globalization' or 'global cultures' are just not random inferences.
6y ago
Driving Cows, Goats and Humans in Mirpur Traffic!
For those of us not using chauffeur driven cars and literally 'battling' an existence by self driving or using Uber, CNG three wheelers or public transports to commute - matters in the lanes, by lanes, streets and main roads of Mirpur where I live is a time bomb ticking to explode. Unending and ongoing 'development works' of nearly four years, have rendered all side and by lanes impassable to traffic.
6y ago
Celebrating the life of Ishrat Akhond
On the evening of 1st July 2016 I had set out to a mall in Mirpur with my family for some shopping ahead of Eid. Around 8 pm I logged into Facebook and saw a friend's post in my newsfeed that said, “Gunshots heard around Gulshan 2. Folks in the vicinity please take care.” It was too benign a warning to be taken seriously.
6y ago
Decibels of the drug war
Life revolves around our experiences and first hand experiences determine our course of action in dealing with the many travails of life itself.
6y ago
Annisul Huq as initiator of Shilpir Pashe Foundation
It was a relief for Lucky Bhai. He now had a place to rest and recuperate to functional levels in what turned out to be the last months of his life. He could also get to meet legions of fans and well-wishers who would come and cheer him up. But the see-saw in his health continued. He would recover well enough and would start singing and composing, leaving his indomitable spirit tired, and have yet another relapse.
6y ago
May 19, 2018
A tribute to Annisul Huq's contribution to music
It was late 1980s. Narratives of the Liberation War were by then being systematically erased from national curriculums and psyche. No stories, movies or drama serials on the Liberation War were being aired. The Pakistani Army was by then being referred to as 'Pak Army' or simply 'Occupation Army'. The unexpected revival came about when Annis mentioned poignantly that someone in some nondescript part of
April 22, 2016
Muchkund Dubey and Hindi translation of Fakir Lalon Shah's works
I have read reports in The Daily Star as well as in the Prothom Alo about a discussion held in Dhaka on 27th March 2016 by
April 14, 2016
Melay Jairey and Baishakhi thoughts
Every Bangla Naboborsho or Bangali New Year, I am deluged with requests for interviews by newspapers, periodicals and television...
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