I once watched a documentary series featuring abandoned widows of the Hindu sect seeking refuge in Varanasi, India.
Before we delve into the story of the first motor car in Dhaka, it’s worth exploring an earlier question: When did four-wheelers first appear on the city’s roads?
Dhaka still surprises me; can you believe that? Born and brought up in this city, I think I am a true ambassador of the town -- a little eccentric, a tad bit politically volatile, and very angry for no good reason.
The backstreets of Baridhara Diplomatic Zone and Baridhara DOHS, known as Kalachandpur, are an energetic and vibrant neighbourhood that unfortunately suffers from an identity crisis.
Dhaka has its own noise. Along with it, it also has its own rush, distractions and plenty of dust. But if you pause for just a moment, you’ll see that this city also has its quiet pockets! Its little moments of stillness, almost like unsung poetry!
The holidays are almost over! By tomorrow, the city will revert to its default setting, a busy Dhaka with busy people. Most of the dwellers are either headed towards the capital or will be starting for the metropolis soon. This brings an interesting question to mind: When do you feel like you ar
In Dhaka, we live almost a vertical life!
The royal Poinciana may be native to Madagascar, but it feels like it has belonged to us for years. We call it by our own beautiful name -- Krishnachura -- as if it knows Dhaka’s summers by heart and waits all year just to remind us that Dhaka is still beautiful.
I have read somewhere that the best part of iftar is sharing the moment with your family, although not everyone is lucky enough to spend the month of Ramadan with loved ones.
Tailors typically enjoy star status at this time of the year. Besides your regular tailor, who takes your bespoke orders for dresses; there are tailors for upholstery work, who are no less busy and sought after now.
The artistes were illustrious not just in our city; their repute spanned throughout the Mughal Empire in general.
Chandni was one of the favourites of the iconic Mughal subahdar in Dhaka, Nawab Islam Khan
Subbasi is a Bengali-influenced dialect that is now spoken by original residents of Dhakaiya community
Have you ever felt the pulse of Dhaka in Ramadan? The way this unforgiving city pauses just before sunset? As if it’s holding its breath with the rest of us, then exhaling in unison with the call to prayer?
What is hardship food? I had no idea. The thought of what people eat during natural calamities, war, displacement and such, never came to my mind. It is something we do not think about unless we start to live in destitution.
The Daily Star’s “My Dhaka” recently ran a photography contest titled “My Dhaka Lens,” where people were asked to submit their entries on the theme of Dhaka -- anything that embodies the beauty, soul, or essence of our city.
Food prepared on the streets is nothing new in Dhaka. Darul Kabab of yester-Dhaka saw various kebabs on skewers, or seekh as it is called in Bangla, being grilled over an open fire or coal embers.
