Shahbaz Nahian

‘Dhaka Retro’: A worthy getaway to the rebellious ‘90s

On a show featuring a stellar lineup, which included the epitomes of '90s Bangla rock — Miles, Nagar Baul, Ark, and Dalchhut — alongside Drockstar Shuvo and the prodigious Oni Hasan, with Jon Kabir, Jamshed Chowdhury, and Kazi Zohad Yazdani, perhaps the most delightful scene was seeing a notable number of attendees who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s.

2w ago

‘Buk Petechi Guli Kor’ remembers the heroes of July

The essence of the events Bangladesh witnessed during the student-led mass uprising in July and August, which escalated into a bloodied revolution, ultimately toppling the regime of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and giving rise to what we now call a new Bangladesh, is truly inexplicable.

2m ago

‘Rishka Aid Concert’ draws massive crowd for flood relief

The new Bangladesh achieved through the student-led and bloodied revolution in July-August is witnessing the most devastating flood crisis in recent collective memory. However, people from all walks of life promptly responded, collaborating for aid and rescue missions.

3m ago

‘Bangladesh Press Photo Contest 2024’ exhibition kicks off in Dhaka

In the wake of two triumphant editions, the third edition of the exhibition of the principal local event celebrating the practice of photojournalism in the country, the “Bangladesh Press Photo Contest 2024”, lifted its curtains yesterday. While the exhibition is taking place on the second floor, the inaugural event took place in the house-full eighth-floor gallery of the capital's DrikPath Bhobon.

4m ago

‘Guitar Clinic With Oni Hasan’: An evening of six strings and beyond

The show “Guitar Clinic With Oni Hasan” meticulously organised by Mavix Global at the Liberation War Museum auditorium last Thursday (May 16) featured musical maestros like Mizan Rahman and Ershad Zaman. The event was a rather dreamlike affair — especially for the up-and-coming guitar enthusiasts amongst the audience inside the venue.

6m ago

N’oubliez pas Novera: Rediscovering the pioneer of Bangladesh’s modern sculpture

In August of 1960, on the ground floor of the Central Public Library building of the University of Dhaka, showcasing 75 of her artworks sculpted between 1956 and 1960, Novera Ahmed had her first solo exhibition titled “Inner Gaze." This formidable exhibition arguably sparked the genesis of modern sculpting practice in both West and then East Pakistan (now present-day Bangladesh). She was the first-ever sculptor from the undivided Pakistani region. 

8m ago

Michelangelo: Marble, paint and divinity

Michelangelo’s list of magnum opuses includes his most famous amongst the Pietas, “La Madonna Della Pieta” (1498-99), which depicts the body of Jesus in the lap of Mother Mary after the Crucifixion. “David”(1501–1504), which is arguably the greatest ever sculpture ever carved. Last, but not least, and one of the most recognised pieces of art that even morphed into contemporary pop culture, “The Creation of Adam" (1508–12), which is part of the majestic frescoes that he created at the ceilings of The Sistine Chapel.  

8m ago

Sayeeda Khanam: Reminiscing a rebel

Eighty-six years after Sayeeda's birth, these facts still resound, underscoring the pivotal role of parenting and support systems in shaping someone's journey, regardless of the societal norms they were born into. However, winning the birth lottery didn’t mean it was easy for Sayeeda; what she accomplished with a camera, paving the way for future generations of female photographers, was nothing short of conquering the Himalayas.

11m ago
October 1, 2023
October 1, 2023

Caravaggio: Light, shadows and scandals

It was an era where the greatest paintings served as sublime examples of ideal beauty, linear perspective, and balanced compositions, emphasising the artists' talents while fulfilling the desires of their patrons. However, breaking away from the dominant tradition of painting of the time, Caravaggio made a divine entrance onto the scene with his masterpiece, "The Calling of Saint Matthew".

September 25, 2023
September 25, 2023

Mark Rothko: Elegy in Colour

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Rothko's most perilous battleground was his own mind, as he battled depression throughout his life, even at the zenith of his career and personal life.

August 27, 2023
August 27, 2023

Man Ray: Celebrating a 20th-century artistic luminary

Arguably one of his most iconic lens-based artworks is "Le Violon d’Ingres" (1924), which sold at auction last year for a staggering USD 12.4 million, making it the most expensive photograph ever sold.

June 19, 2023
June 19, 2023

Bangladesh Press Photo Contest 2023 exhibition ends

The exhibition of the second edition of the annual Bangladesh Press Photo Contest closed its curtains yesterday.

May 2, 2023
May 2, 2023

Celebrating jazz in Dhaka

In celebration of International Jazz Day 2023, a special show was organised by Dhaka Broadcast on Sunday, April 30. The show was presented by Innovative Creations Ltd and took place at the capital’s The Garage Food Court.

February 16, 2023
February 16, 2023

‘Zero Calorie’: Contradictions of our conscience

Daagi’s latest exhibition, which has been titled “Zero Calorie”, tries to re-explore our contemporary issues, questioning and reminding us of the usual narratives which are underlyingly problematic and collectively ignored. For instance, even their choice of words in the exhibition title and note has a metaphorical meaning too.

January 24, 2023
January 24, 2023

Shunno comes full-circle after 15 years

Starting from being featured in Fuad Al Muqtadir’s iconic mixed album Bonno—with their debut song "Prottasha"—in 2008, to self-distributing their first album Notun Srot, Shunno have weathered many a storm on their way to success.

December 29, 2022
December 29, 2022

Dhaka Rock Fest 3.0: Two unforgettable nights of rock

In recent memory, 2022 has been quite the bustling year for the Bangladeshi music scene.

December 20, 2022
December 20, 2022

Of sore necks, broken voices and metal

“Metal Up Your Ass”, organised by Get Amped Series, took place this Saturday at Event Station in Jamuna Future Park. The show was not merely another addition to the list of shows in our annual concert season. Rather, for musicians and fans, the full-on metal show was almost a trip down memory lane, to the days of RCC (Russian Cultural Centre).

November 21, 2022
November 21, 2022

Saadul Islam: A story of six strings and visual arts

Saadul Islam is the amazing guitar player from Coke Studio Bangla. However, his guitar licks on “Nasek Nasek”, “Bhober Pagol” and “Chiltey Roud” are but small glimpses into the artiste that he is.