THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY

From Kabul to Kolkata: Photography exhibition
Date: Till 6 May 2015
Venue: Drik, House 58, Road 15A (New), Dhanmondi Dhaka 1209
Kabuliwalas were a common sight on the streets of Kolkata, as in most cities of north and central India, but today stereotypes and standard attributes have formed an ambiguous image of these people.
Inspired by these stories, Moska Najib and Nazes Afroz, two journalist-cum-photographers, embarked on a project about the Kabuliwalas of Kolkata, one that touches upon social transformations within this community over the past 100 years. Their images captured the stories of this secluded and little-known settlement in the present time through a documentary and set up art photography. The series will connect viewers to the themes of human bonding as narrated by Tagore and will also touch on the issues of loss of identity and a new sense of belonging. Viewers will experience the tension between preserving an identity and rebuilding a home in a new space.

Lubna Charya Art Exhibition, Firefly
Date: Till Thursday, 7 May 2015
Venue: Galerie Zoom, Alliance Francaise
Lubna Charya never went to any art school. Painting, she says, is her passion, her way of dreaming, and maybe a weapon to express herself. In her artworks she has something to say, something to share with the viewers. This is not only for beautification of art or caricature. Her's is the visual form of her thoughts– little imaginary wings of life. It could be some dewdrops in the morning or glowing fireflies at night. She wants to share these moments which she noticed down the path somehow in her own life or in others'. It is kind of a visual diary with writings, symbols, colours, incidents that shook her - a satire, fun, or even problems. 
Lubna thinks that painting is the most trusted medium of presenting her world. Her use of acrylic colours, style of composition, colour-treatment, all are very much her own. This exhibition titled 'Firefly' expresses an artistic minimalism: having a little light, tiny set of wings but wings nevertheless and little things to say… like a firefly. 
This is Lubna Charya's second solo exhibition.

Painted Love
Date: Till Tuesday, 12 May 2015
Time: Daylong
Venue: La Galerie, Alliance Francaise
Dilruba Latif Rosy's paintings stem from a philosophy of 'beauty.' Beauty is somewhat recognised as feminine in the sense of cultural norms, which interlink a woman's appreciation for her beauty in this context and distinguish a man's value to other 'masculine' qualities and capabilities. In light of other traditional concepts and 'isms', beauty is depicted as an aspect of something divine in contrast with the virile qualities or male deities. 
Dilruba fleshes out another conviction that reflects her rumination, she talks about loneliness that is more than the disappointment of having to spend a day off at home. Maybe by reading a book because all your friends seem to be out enjoying company of others; or maybe they are travelling, gossiping, joking, and dining out. The clinical definition of loneliness is a sustained sense of a lack of closeness, of emotional intimacy with others. It's hard to admit to and one feels bleak and worthless. She believes that loneliness makes one feel unloved. It isolates us and makes us feel undeserving of exactly what it is that will alleviate it– other people's care.