Ayesha Rahman Chowdhury

Moonsighting: More than meets the eye

“Chaad Dekha”, or the sighting of the new moon, plays a huge role in the lives of Muslims who follow the appearance of the moon as the criteria for determining important dates in the lunar calendar, such as the beginning and end of each month in the Islamic calendar, and thus the beginning and end of Ramadan, and of course, Eid. To this day, chaad dekha, remains a celebratory marker for the end of Ramadan, calling in Eid-ul-Fitr.

6y ago

Dialect diversities

The diversity that lies within Bangladesh can be witnessed through the many dialects of the same but very different Bengali spoken in the different regions. It is also a surprise that people from one region do not understand the dialects of people from another region because of the heavy accents, despite the relatively small size of the country.

6y ago

Birangana, representations of lost stories in the contemporary

Only recently, as International Women's Day was observed throughout the world; the demise of freedom fighter Ferdousi Priyabhashini just two days before the day we celebrated womanhood, and the preparation to commemorate our Independence Day within a few days create both a sense of loss and joy in our hearts and minds.

6y ago

Travel in luxury or on a budget

Choosing to travel in luxury is just another way to make sure that your time off in the wild, at a nature retreat or a just a different urban space runs as smoothly as possible. You can definitely experience the wonderful lightness that comes with taking a trip without the burdens of uncertainties. The option to take a luxury trip anywhere is likely a treat to oneself, and after hard hours of working and stressing over

6y ago

Travelling with Friends

Travelling with friends belonging to the same peer group has become a more common scenario now than ever before, especially for people who are in their late teens and early twenties. Yet, a lot of energy goes into the planning of these very small two or three days trips, owing to the many negotiations we have to take on with our parents. No matter how difficult it may be to actually get the permission to go, or

6y ago

Christmas for Bengalis and expatriates

Alfred, a 20-something law student in Dhaka, spoke of Christmas to me, but it was not what I had expected to be associated with the

7y ago

Christmas carols: Bengali kirtans

Christmas around the world is synonymous with presents, good food and carols. For Bangladesh and the people's affinity for music, it

7y ago

Xmas decor

While Christmas shopping in Bangladesh may not be as much of a rush as those we see in the 'wild west,' paired with the end of

7y ago
June 12, 2018
June 12, 2018

Moonsighting: More than meets the eye

“Chaad Dekha”, or the sighting of the new moon, plays a huge role in the lives of Muslims who follow the appearance of the moon as the criteria for determining important dates in the lunar calendar, such as the beginning and end of each month in the Islamic calendar, and thus the beginning and end of Ramadan, and of course, Eid. To this day, chaad dekha, remains a celebratory marker for the end of Ramadan, calling in Eid-ul-Fitr.

April 17, 2018
April 17, 2018

Dialect diversities

The diversity that lies within Bangladesh can be witnessed through the many dialects of the same but very different Bengali spoken in the different regions. It is also a surprise that people from one region do not understand the dialects of people from another region because of the heavy accents, despite the relatively small size of the country.

March 20, 2018
March 20, 2018

Birangana, representations of lost stories in the contemporary

Only recently, as International Women's Day was observed throughout the world; the demise of freedom fighter Ferdousi Priyabhashini just two days before the day we celebrated womanhood, and the preparation to commemorate our Independence Day within a few days create both a sense of loss and joy in our hearts and minds.

February 27, 2018
February 27, 2018

Travelling with Friends

Travelling with friends belonging to the same peer group has become a more common scenario now than ever before, especially for people who are in their late teens and early twenties. Yet, a lot of energy goes into the planning of these very small two or three days trips, owing to the many negotiations we have to take on with our parents. No matter how difficult it may be to actually get the permission to go, or

February 27, 2018
February 27, 2018

Travel in luxury or on a budget

Choosing to travel in luxury is just another way to make sure that your time off in the wild, at a nature retreat or a just a different urban space runs as smoothly as possible. You can definitely experience the wonderful lightness that comes with taking a trip without the burdens of uncertainties. The option to take a luxury trip anywhere is likely a treat to oneself, and after hard hours of working and stressing over

December 19, 2017
December 19, 2017

Colours of Christmas

December is an exciting month — long holidays, the not-too-biting chill, and the end of another gruelling year with tonnes of lessons learnt.

December 19, 2017
December 19, 2017

Xmas decor

While Christmas shopping in Bangladesh may not be as much of a rush as those we see in the 'wild west,' paired with the end of

December 19, 2017
December 19, 2017

Christmas carols: Bengali kirtans

Christmas around the world is synonymous with presents, good food and carols. For Bangladesh and the people's affinity for music, it

December 19, 2017
December 19, 2017

Christmas for Bengalis and expatriates

Alfred, a 20-something law student in Dhaka, spoke of Christmas to me, but it was not what I had expected to be associated with the

December 5, 2017
December 5, 2017

Fire in a jar at Newton's Archive

Four friends spending time together by default owing to their classes at university together is not a very unusual scenario for anyone, but this particular group had their heads buzzing with ideas and hearts fluttering with dreams, which happily enough for us brought about the creation of 'Newton's Archive.' The beginnings were only a soft ripple in the ocean, which now is full of waves worthy of being surfed upon.