Karagar: The blurred line between fact and fiction
The long-awaited “Karagar Part-1” has finally been released on Hoichoi. The show, while not an instant homerun, can be likened to a slow game of poker. Layers upon layers of fiction, blended with facts, makes “Karagar” a witty commentary on the slippery nature of truth. As the audience starts to believe where the story is going, Syed Ahmed Shawki turns the table on his audience, bluffing them with a royal flush.
2y ago
Analysing South Asian history through films
Critical reading of South Asian history has been majorly subjected to individual narratives. Lack of comparative studies have resulted in ignorance for neighbours and a forgotten history of self.
2y ago
Be an artist with ‘Cartoon Cartoon’
Prominent cartoonist Syed Rashad Imam Tanmoy, in association with A2i HD Media and Cartoon People, a community of Bangladeshi cartoonists and visual storytellers, has launched a show titled, “Cartoon Cartoon”. It airs on BTV, and is awaiting release on Duronto Television.
2y ago
Filmmaking for a global audience
Throughout the last two decades in Bangladesh, there has been a shift in storytelling on screen. Most notably, directors made films that not only initiated conversations in the country, but also made strides on global platforms.
2y ago
Breaking through concepts
“Those who come to Pathshala strive for more than just a comfortable living.
2y ago
Nurul Alam Atique opens up about ‘Lal Moroger Jhuti’
Throughout the past two decades, director Nurul Alam Atique has created a unique style of storytelling, involving intimate human concepts. “Lal Moroger Jhuti” presents a narrative that explores the collective memory of the masses during 1971. Atique shares his thoughts on his second feature film with The Daily Star.
2y ago
Documenting birth of a nation
Marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence, Samdani Art Foundation and Centre for Research and Information (CRI) inaugurated a solo exhibition titled, "Witnessing History in the Making: Photographs by Anne de Henning" at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy today.
2y ago
I gained 6 kilos to portray Rustom: Shohel Mondol
Shohel Mondol is an actor who passionately showcases his talent on the stage and screen. In Hoichoi’s “Boli”, directed by Shankha Dasgupta, he plays the protagonist, Rustom. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Shohel spoke about his journey of becoming the character, his love for new challenges, and more.
2y ago
October 8, 2021
'Marx in Soho' dives into the human side of the philosopher
Prominent theatre troupe BotTola, in association with Jatrik, presented their play, “Marx in Soho” at the Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Bangladesh Mohila Samity in Bailey Road, Dhaka, recently. The whimsical play by Howard Zinn has been translated into Bangla by writer Javed Hussen. The production is helmed by actor and director Naila Azad.
October 8, 2021
Mrittika’s expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro
We all remember Mount Kilimanjaro from our general education books as Africa’s tallest peak, and the world’s tallest free standing mountain. For Mrittika Barua, however, it proved to be much more.
October 1, 2021
Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival kicks off in the capital
The ninth installment of the Ganga Jamuna Cultural Festival kicked off at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) this evening.
September 30, 2021
A dive into the mysterious world of ‘Munshigiri’
Celebrated director Amitabh Reza Chowdhury’s “Munshigiri”, starring Chanchal Chowdhury, releases on Chorki at 8 pm tonight. The Chorki original film also features Purnima and Shabnam Faria in pivotal roles. Based on the novel "Mriterao Kotha Bole" by Shibarata Barman, Amitabh Reza Chowdhury brings a first of its kind detective story of Bangladesh with his debut web film.
September 25, 2021
I prepare for a role as though it is my last one: Mostafa Monwar
I grew up in a strict household at Indira Road, where reading for fun was prohibited because my parents believed it would hamper my academic pursuits.
September 15, 2021
Shilpakala Academy introduces curated zone at 24th National Art Exhibition
The 24th edition of National Art Exhibition is currently underway at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Dhaka. Along with the competition zone, this year, BSA introduced a curated section in Gallery 6 of Jatiya Chitrashala, for the first time. Curators Kanak Chanpa Chakma, Kamruzzaman Shadhin, Joydeb Roaja, and Zihan Karim are involved in the project.
August 27, 2021
The lone treasure trove of Bengali literary heritage in Karachi
The revolution that litterateur and musical polymath Kazi Nazrul Islam brought to Bengali literature is unparalleled. It is known that he joined the British-Indian Army in 1917 during World War I, when he was just 18. Barely out of his teen years, Nazrul travelled across India to join his regiment at Karachi.
August 13, 2021
Revisiting ‘Narosundar’: A tribute to Tareque Masud
Tareque Masud's films compel us to think anew. An archivist and a brilliant storyteller, he was fondly known as the ‘Cinema Feriwala’. The artiste is an indispensable name when it comes to film studies. Masud and his close collaborator, cinematographer Mishuk Munier, passed away in a tragic car accident ten years ago, on this day.
August 13, 2021
Behind Intekhab Dinar’s stellar performance in ‘Unoloukik’
With an array of popular television fictions under his belt, celebrated actor Intekhab Dinar has built a powerful presence on OTT platforms in recent years. From a convincing portrayal of a commanding chairman in "Taqdeer" to a whimsical fictional character in "Ovineta", he has made the best of his acting prowess. In "Dwikhandito", the final episode of the Chorki anthology series, "Unoloukik", Dinar aces an impeccable, breathless performance of over 20 minutes. He spoke to The Daily Star about his journey with the project, and more.
August 9, 2021
The Manipuri Raas Leela: Where performance meets history and mythology
The Raas Leela is an important part of Manipuri culture. The term roughly means ‘dance of divine love and passion’. Dancers symbolise their spiritual love for Lord Krishna when they perform the Raas Leela. At 76, Krishnakumari Sinha is one of the most renowned artistes of this traditional art form in Bangladesh. For more than three decades, she has also been a guru to many. In a conversation with The Daily Star, Krishnakumari Sinha, along with her two disciples Sharmila Sinha and Jyoti Sinha, talk about the Manipuri Raas Leela, and their journey with it.
X